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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 helps to protect the civil rights of individuals with disabilities, including the right to accessible and equal access to transportation. The following information provides a brief overview of various modes of transportation and provides links and resources for additional information.
For individuals who rely on public transportation, the ADA requires that the public transit systems be “accessible” to individuals with disabilities. This means that an individual with a disability is able to get to a bus stop, board the bus and travel to his/her destination successfully. The ADA requires that public transit entities that provide fixed-route bus or rail services, also provide “complementary paratransit” services to individuals with disabilities who cannot, because of their disability, access the fixed-route system. Individuals with disabilities must qualify for ADA paratransit services through a process that is collaboratively developed by the transit system and the local community.
The eligibility determination process for ADA complementary paratransit is developed by the transit system in consultation with the local community.
The State of Florida’s Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD) is an independent commission housed administratively within the Florida Department of Transportation. Their mission is to ensure the availability of efficient, cost-effective, and quality transportation services for persons who are “transportation disadvantaged”. Transportation disadvantaged are those who cannot obtain their own transportation due to a disability, age, or income.
The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), the administrator for Florida’s Medicaid program, contracted with the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD) to have the CTD administer and manage the Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation program. Medicaid recipients may be eligible for Medicaid- sponsored non-emergency transportation services and should contact the CTD for additional information or assistance at 1-800-983-2435 or by visiting the CTD Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation webpage.
The Department of Transportation issued Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations for the motor coach industry in September 1998. These regulations require equal access to new motorcoaches and motorcoach service to individuals with disabilities. ADA regulations for delivering accessible motorcoach service went into effect in October 2001 for fixed route, charter, tour and other demand responsive motorcoach companies. The ADA regulations went into effect for small operators in October 2002. In accordance with these regulations, companies must provide accessible coaches and services to a passenger with a disability upon a 48-hour advance request notice
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) helps to ensure that public transportation systems provide accessible transportation services for individuals with disabilities. For general information visit the FTA website. To contact the FTA Headquarters in Washington DC please call (202) 366-4043, or to contact Region 4 which includes the State of Florida call (404) 562-3500.
Rental car agencies are places of public accommodations and therefore must meet the requirements set forth under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Title III ensures that places of public accommodations provide modifications or accommodations to make goods and services available to individuals with disabilities.
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) of 1986 as amended (May 13, 2009) prohibits discrimination based on disability for air traveling passengers. The ACAA also enhances accessibility for airline travel, for both domestic and foreign carriers as well as within airport terminals.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings Aviation - Consumer Protection Division accepts complaints pertaining to airline/consumer matters and maintains public information on aviation matters.
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