ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act. This important legislation was first enacted in 1990, and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by employers, public accommodations, state and local governments, public and private transportation, and in telecommunications. In relation to transit services, the ADA has added requirements for public transit operators to provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities in order to better facilitate their use of public transit resources. Some of the more visible results are the requirement for all forms of public transit to provide access for wheelchair passengers, and for special accommodations for passengers with visual and hearing impairments. In addition, ADA requires that public transit systems provide the same level of service to individuals with disabilities as is provided to passengers who are not disabled.
In response to ADA, transit providers across Ventura County have added mobility devices to all public transit buses, including such features as wheelchair lifts and tie downs, low-floor buses, stop announcement systems, and numerous other devices and technologies designed to insure that all riders have equal access to service. Despite these efforts, there still are individuals who have a disability or condition that makes it impossible for them to access public transportation services on the generic “fixed-route” system. ADA further requires that all transit providers offer “complementary paratransit” service to these individuals (note that this is complementary with an “e” indicating similar service, as opposed to complimentary with an “i” which would imply free service). This complementary service must be provided within 3/4 of a mile of a bus route or rail station, at the same hours and days, for no more than twice the regular fixed route fare. Individuals who qualify for this complementary service must be assessed and certified as eligible for ADA service by the transit provider.
Transit providers of Ventura County, working with the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), have developed a system for assessing these individuals and providing them with the appropriate ADA certification. Mobility Management Partners (MMP) is the provider of these certification services through a contract with VCTC. In order to qualify, individuals must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Be unable to board, ride or disembark from a regular fixed-route transit vehicle due to a permanent or temporary disability.
- Have a condition or disability that prevents traveling to or from a fixed-route transit bus stop.
If an individual meets one of more of these criteria, they can complete an application and go through a personalized assessment with one of MMP’s ADA Eligibility Specialists. Once a certification determination has been made, qualified individuals are then provided with a picture I.D. card which can be used to access complementary paratransit services throughout Ventura County. The certification is valid for up to three years, at which time the individual must reapply and be recertified.
To begin the certification process, simply fill out an application and return it to VCTC. You can obtain an application by downloading it from the link below, by calling 1 888-667-7001, or by e-mailing our ADA coordinator.
Once the application is completed, a form will be sent to the health professional listed on the application to obtain medical information to verify the stated disability or condition. When this information is received and verified, you will be contacted for an in-person interview and assessment in close proximity to where you live. During the interview, you will be asked to answer some questions about your disability or condition, and will have the opportunity to learn more about the ADA services offered in your area.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against during the ADA eligibility process, you may file a complaint with VCTC. By clicking here you will be redirected to the VCTC web page where you can download a complaint form.
The ADA Eligibility Certification Program is a project of the Ventura County Transportation Commission in association with:
Gold Coast Transit
Simi Valley Transit
Thousand Oaks Transit
Camarillo Area Transit
City of Moorpark
City of Ojai
Valley Express (Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru)