ADA Paratransit Service

Broward County Mass Transit’s ADA Paratransit Service is offered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADA Paratransit Service is for persons with physical, cognitive, emotional, visual or other disabilities which functionally prevent them from using the Broward County Transit (BCT) fixed-route bus system either permanently or under certain conditions.

Disability alone does not create eligibility for ADA Paratransit Service. The decision is based solely on the applicant’s functional ability to use BCT buses.

The BCT fixed-route bus system is fully accessible, with wheelchair accessible buses and major transfer facilities.

“Travel Training” service is also available to those who need help in learning how to use the BCT buses.

In addition, other accommodations such as bus stop and route announcements, and easy-to-read signs, make using BCT buses possible for many people with disabilities.

Persons who are able to use BCT buses should do so whenever they can.

The unavailability of fixed-route service does not constitute eligibility for a person who could otherwise take the same trip on BCT buses, if service were available.

Evaluation Procedure

All applicants seeking eligibility for the ADA Paratransit Service must go through an eligibility determination process. A personal functional evaluation is required to determine if the applicant can use the BCT fixed-route bus system. Transportation assistance is provided as necessary to and from the evaluation appointment.

The purpose of the evaluation is to determine when and under what circumstances the applicant can use BCT buses and when paratransit shared-ride service is required.

The ADA Paratransit eligibility evaluation includes a medical verification of disability, the applicant’s own assessment of their ability to use BCT buses, and a functional assessment. Information provided by a social service agency or other professional regarding the applicant’s ability to use the bus may also be considered.

All requested information must be provided & the application process complete before an eligibility determination can be rendered.

Functional Assessments

The personal functional assessment helps determine whether an applicant has the ability to use BCT buses, and if so, under what circumstances.

The functional physical evaluation consists of a simulated bus travel experience, including boarding a bus, maneuvering a curb and a curb cut, and crossing the street. Skills evaluated include balance, strength, coordination and range of motion.

The cognitive functional assessment consists of certain standardized tests designed to measure skills such as memory, attention span and route-finding ability.

Variables in the environment, as well as the applicant’s ability to perform the tasks required to use the bus, are also considered.

Categories of Eligibility

Those persons who are certified eligible are classified as having unconditional, temporary or conditional eligibility for ADA Paratransit Service as follows:

Unconditional status is assigned to persons who are determined unable to ever independently use BCT buses, even with training.

Temporary status is assigned to persons who are determined capable of using accessible BCT buses but cannot do so at present, either because of a temporary disability or other temporary changes to the bus route, stops or other conditions.

Conditional status is assigned to persons who are able to use BCT buses most of the time, but would, under certain circumstances and for certain trips, be prevented from independently using BCT buses.

Examples of conditional eligibility include persons with extreme fatigue after treatments such as dialysis, a bus stop which requires a traveler who is blind to maneuver a dangerous pedestrian area, such as a large, open parking lot with no reference points, or a BCT bus route that is not yet accessible.

Appeals

Information regarding the appeals process is available from BCT ADA Paratransit eligibility unit.

Applicants who are determined not eligible, or who do not agree with the conditions established for their use of BCT ADA Paratransit Service, may request a review at an informal or formal hearing level.