THE RIDE Eligibility Center
November 2012
Operated by
INNOVATIVE PARADIGMS a Division of Paratransit, Inc.
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• Philip McGuire Chief Executive Officer • Marilyn Cole Program Manager THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Operated by
INNOVATIVE PARADIGMS a Division of Paratransit, Inc.
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Operated by
• 5th decade providing paratransit services • Operator of • Paratransit services since 1978 • ADA service in Sacramento • ADA eligibility programs • Travel training programs • Mobility management programs
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Public transit systems must have
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• Complementary ADA service for people who, because of their disability, cannot use the fixed route system • An eligibility process that uses federal criteria strictly applied to identify those people who qualify for ADA service
Operated by
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
The ultimate goal of the paratransit application process is to ensure that only people who meet the regulatory criteria, strictly applied, are regarded as ADA paratransit eligible. Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Operated by
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 37
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• ADA eligibility is a transportation decision, not a medical decision • Eligibility decisions must be based on applicant’s functional ability to use fixed route public transit
Operated by
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 37
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• While evaluation by a physician (or professionals in other relevant fields) may be used as part of the process, “a diagnosis of a disability is not dispositive” • Eligibility process does not require paper application or medical personnel to conduct interviews
Operated by
THE RIDE Eligibility Process is based on
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• Regulatory guidelines in 49 CFR, FTA guidance, Easter Seals Project Action, and National Transit Institute materials • Innovative Paradigms methods audited, reviewed and found to be compliant by the FTA Office of Civil Rights
Operated by
• Innovative Paradigms material used by FTA as example for other transit authorities
Advantages of the In-Person Eligibility Process
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• Free transportation on THE RIDE, arranged by the Eligibility Center, will be provided to and from interview • Determinations will be made faster, often within 2 -3 business days of the interview • Incomplete applications will no longer be sent back to the applicant
Operated by
Advantages of the In-Person Eligibility Process
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• No application will be required to schedule an interview • No medical verification will required at the time of the interview, but may be provided if applicant chooses • If medical verification is needed, Mobility Coordinators will contact heath care providers on behalf of the applicant
Operated by
Advantages of the In-Person Eligibility Process
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Operated by
• Applicants will have a real person to guide them through the process. • Less applicant confusion about how to answer questions and what information is required • In-person interviews provide more complete understanding of applicant’s needs and abilities than short paperbased answers. Applicants can explain fully their circumstances with help from family, friends, caregivers
Advantages of the In-Person Eligibility Process
NEW SERVICE!
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• Service for Medical Necessity provides 30 days of full service to individuals when requested by hospitals, dialysis or cancer centers, doctors, rehabilitation facilities, etc. • Service can begin less than 1 business after request is submitted
Operated by
Advantages of the In-Person Eligibility Process
NEW SERVICE!
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• Ability to book groups of applicants from care homes, agencies, etc. to the Eligibility Center for interviews • Avoids multiple trips for care providers • Reduces the number of THE RIDE trips to the Eligibility Center
Operated by
How will the Eligibility Process work?
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Pre-Interview • Applicant calls for appointment or submits an application • Interview appointment is scheduled
• Need for translation services is determined • Free transportation on THE RIDE is arranged
Operated by
• Free parking is available for people arriving by car
How will the Eligibility Process work? During the Interview • Current information reviewed
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• Medical information release form signed
• Private interview with Mobility Coordinator • Transit skills functional assessments conducted, as needed
Operated by
• Information provided during interview reviewed and signed • Opportunity to ask questions and learn about transportation options
• The in-person interview can take up to approximately 90 minutes.
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• If necessary, Mobility Coordinators will contact the applicant’s health care provider for information regarding disabilities that prevent the use of public transit. • Written notification of eligibility determination will be sent to applicant.
Operated by
• Our average notification time is 2 – 3 days after the interview.
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Operated by
• Letters to applicants who receive a determination of Conditional, Temporary or Not Eligible contain instructions and forms for appealing the decision.
Who will conduct the Interviews?
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Operated by
Mobility coordinators, who have been fully trained to analyze and evaluate functional transit skills, assist individuals through the interview process. They also may administer functional transit skills tests, which have been specifically designed to measure balance, gait, endurance and other skills necessary to use MBTA’s public transit system.
Who will conduct the Interviews?
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Operated by
• Mobility Coordinators have experience working with individuals with disabilities and with elderly persons.
• Mobility Coordinators receive over 80 hours of intensive initial training on ADA regulations, transit skills assessment, interview techniques, sensitivity, data management, MBTA policies, and the MBTA system. • On-going education and training is provided .
Verification of Psychiatric or Vision Conditions
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Operated by
Applicants with psychiatric or vision disabilities will need to provide professional verification of their disability, including an explanation of how it prevents their ability to access and/or navigate the fixed route bus system. If needed, Mobility Coordinators can contact health care providers on behalf of applicants to obtain this information.
Types of Eligibility
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
• • • •
Unconditional Conditional Temporary (less than 12 months) Not Eligible
• NEW - Immediate Service for Medical Necessity (30 days of unconditional eligibility during which an interview is scheduled) Operated by
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Operated by
A determination of NOT ELIGIBLE indicates a higher level of functional transit skill ability than unconditional or conditional eligibility. A NOT ELIGIBLE determination requires the ALL of the following: • In-person interview • Demonstrated ability to complete all transit skills functional assessments successfully • Indication from health care provider that applicant has no disabilities or conditions that prevent use of fixed route public transit
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
THE RIDE Eligibility Center
Operated by
617-337-2727 Hood Business Park 500 Rutherford Avenue Third Floor Boston (Charlestown), MA 02129
