statement regarding inability to obtain reasonable transportation

One of these commenters also asked for guidance on how to treat non-disabled personal care attendants who may want to sit next to a disabled passenger. Common transportation barriers include long travel distances, lack of vehicle, transportation cost, inadequate infrastructure, and adverse policies affecting EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective December 30, 1993. To the extent that installation of detectable warnings involves an extraordinarily expensive structural change to a particular station, the rail operator could use the cost of the installation as part of its rationale for requesting an extension of time to make the key station accessible. Last fall, the Access Board proposed amending its guidelines for ATMs. PAGE 2058 FR 63092, *63100agreements with one another, a provision requiring available accessible cars to be provided before other cars in the donor agency's fleet. * * * * *(d)(1) For purposes of implementing the equivalent facilitation provision in section 2.2 of appendix A to this part, the following parties may submit to the Administrator of the applicable operating administration a request for a determination of equivalent facilitation:(i)(A) A public or private entity that provides transportation facilities subject to the provisions of subpart C this part, or other appropriate party with the concurrence of the Administrator;(ii) With respect to airport facilities, an entity that is an airport operator subject to the requirements of 49 CFR part 27 or regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act, an air carrier subject to the requirements of 14 CFR part 382, or other appropriate party with the concurrence of the Administrator. DREDF also cited ADA legislative history favoring use of lifts by standees, the practices of some transit agencies which allow standees to use lifts, extra costs to paratransit systems if ridership on fixed route systems by standees were limited, and a general concern that ADA regulations' protections should not be weakened. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) changed the name of the former Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) to Another disability community commenter suggested a requirement that the lease of rail cars by Amtrak not be permitted to decrease the overall percentage of Amtrak's fleet that was accessible (i.e., that if Amtrak leased inaccessible cars from a commuter authority, Amtrak would have to obtain accessible cars elsewhere in order to maintain the same percentage of accessibility in its fleet that it had before the lease). Supervisors should be aware that most technologies we purchase as an accommodation may take awhile for employees to master. A disability community commenter suggested. A manufacturer said it should not have to consult with disability groups: it had tried, and had a hard time finding anyone who would respond or who was technically qualified to help. The comments from the disability community emphasized the safety need for detectable warnings, particularly for blind and visually impaired persons. DREDF also alluded to a DOT study which found that standees could use lifts successfully. Mr. X has Reasonable Cause for Not Filing and Turning Over Form 941 Withholding Taxes. 0 It would be appropriate for transit operators to establish a mechanism based on local circumstances, consultation with drivers, and input from the local community. While manufacturers' and consumers' comments assert that cited problems concerning the materials have largely been solved, it is clear that rail operators are not persuaded that their concerns about installation, safety, durability, and maintainability have been fully addressed. Consultation with these individuals and groups shall take place at all stages of the development of the request for equivalent facilitation. (iii) The entity shall sponsor at least one public hearing on the request and shall provide adequate notice of the hearing, including advertisement in appropriate media, such as newspapers of general and special interest circulation and radio announcements. 20590. In @ 38.125, paragraph (d)(2) is revised to read as follows:@ 38.125 -- Mobility aid accessibility. Washington, DC 20590855-368-4200. The Department encourages rail operators to install detectable warnings before the required date. The Department also wants to clarify an equivalent facilitation decision it had earlier made concerning detectable warnings. Web(7) Eligibility. We believe the changes to the process suggested in the NPRM-concerning the ability of the various DOT operating administrations to make these determinations and having different procedural steps for manufacturers and transportation providers-are reasonable. W56-403 WebPeople with disabilities are more likely to have income of less than $15,000 compared to people without disabilities (22.3% compare to 7.3%). One transit authority thought it should be able to self-certify as to an equivalent facilitation, without FTA approval. With the exception noted below, the existing @ 37.165(g)-which requires transportation providers to permit standees to use lifts, without restriction-will remain in effect. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, managers and supervisors are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified Federal employees and applicants. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Nations transportation industries, which are not immune to the impacts and disruptions resulting from the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, are playing a vital role in mitigating the effects of COVID-19. There could be other situations in which requests were made pertaining to airport, highway, or other DOT programs. Priority seats are intended for people with disabilities in general; a seat near the front of the bus may be as important to a blind individual as to an individual with a mobility impairment. WebThe form that must be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission whenever a company plans to issue new securities to the public is the S-1 Which of the following is a The NPRM proposed to modify the existing regulatory language to require transit providers to allow standees on lifts which meet part 38 specifications, or which are equipped with handrails or other devices that can assist standees in maintaining their balance. Webthe issuance of Statement on Auditing Standards No. Part 38 and appendix A to part 37 both contain provisions concerning equivalent facilitation. Those commenters who asserted that the two types of machines should have different requirements did not provide sufficient information on which the Department or the Access Board could base a separate standard. The Department certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The warning strip must include a pattern of "truncated domes" (i.e., small raised rounded surfaces) as required by section 4.29 of appendix A. The Department received over 550 comments on the NPRM, most of which came from individuals with disabilities or organizations representing them, state and local agencies working on disability matters, state and local transportation agencies, and equipment manufacturers. (4) In all signage designating priority seating areas for elderly persons and persons with disabilities, or designating wheelchair securement areas, the entity shall include language informing persons sitting in these locations that they should comply with requests by transit provider personnel to vacate their seats to make room for an individual with a disability. The FTA has learned that some manufacturers have been marketing products as "U.S. Government-Approved" or "ADA-Approved." Thirteen of the remaining comments were from manufacturers of detectable warnings and associated products, with four from state or local agencies working on disability matters and two each from state or local transportation agencies and other commenters. (An equipment manufacturer, a person with a disability, and one other commenter also took this position). When it drafted these provisions, the Department contemplated a small number of requests from transit providers concerning individual facility or vehicle problems on which flexibility in applying accessibility standards could be provided without negative effects on accessibility. Business Hours:8:30am-5:00pm ET, M-F. For more information on requesting sign language interpreters, please visit the DRC Interpreting Services page. One partial exception to this pattern was a comment from the New York State Public Transportation Safety Board (PTSB). For example, in one rapid rail system lacking adequate detectable warnings, according to testimony from blind passengers at a 1992 public hearing on the system's proposed key station plan, 15 blind or visually impaired passengers have fallen off the platform in recent years (at least one of them was killed by a train). Any decision in a matter of this kind requires the Department to strike a balance between the legitimate concerns that commenters have expressed. Entities shall not cite these determinations as indicating that a products or methods constitute equivalent facilitations in situations other than those to which the determinations specifically pertain. However, the ADA regulation is in Subchapter I of that Title. A driver cannot be expected to intuit the existence of a disability that is not apparent. The bulk of these-388 comments-were from individuals with disabilities or organizations representing them. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) changed the name of the former Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) to Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The first change would extend until July 1994 the compliance date for retrofitting key rail station platforms with detectable warnings. Two organizations that represent a constituency consisting primarily of persons with mobility impairments said that additional research was needed on the issue of whether detectable warnings were an obstacle or hazard to persons with mobility impairments. PAGE 1658 FR 63092, *63098concerning detectable warning materials to make sure that, in all respects, a proposed "equivalent" material truly provides equal or greater detectability and safety benefits. The requirement will apply to newly acquired vehicles and to new or replacement signs in existing vehicles. We agree with the commenters who suggested modifying the proposal to specify that drivers or other personnel on vehicles not be required to enforce a request for someone to move from a priority seat (e.g., by physically removing a recalcitrant passenger or parking the bus and calling the police.) This is because the economic effects of the rule in general should be minimal; to the extent that the rule reduces costs (e.g., by delaying the requirement for completing the installation of detectable warnings), this beneficial effect will affect only large entities. Finally, the need of transit properties for time to determine which specific detectable warning product is best for their systems and to go through their procurement processes is reasonable to take into account. As a matter of guidance, we believe it is reasonable that if a passenger with a "hidden" disability wants a driver to ask someone to make room for use of a priority seat, the individual should tell the driver about the disability. Bulletin # 1 also contains a list of products which are claimed by their manufacturers to meet the technical specifications for detectable warnings, but the Access Board neither reviews products for compliance nor certifies the suitability of such products or systems for the purposes for which they are intended. We want to be sure that you or your employee can fully use the accommodation effectively. PAGE 758 FR 63092, *63094Department takes notice. Consultation with these individuals and groups shall take place at all stages of the development of the request for equivalent facilitation. It is a significant rule under the Department's Regulatory Policies and Procedures, since it amends the Department's Americans with Disabilities Act rule, which is a significant rule. The Department is free to consider safety or reliability information that may be developed by the Access Board as it reviews detectable warnings. Before the NPRM was issued, Amtrak told DOT staff that this provision is not appropriate in an important situation in which it leases rail cars. However, the Department continues to believe that making equivalent facilitation determinations available also has important advantages. A number mentioned the crowded, noisy, distracting atmosphere of rush hour train stations as being a situation in which a tactile cue like a detectable warning is particularly important. Phone: 202-366-6242, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE liquid watercolor michaels. The petition requested that the detectable warnings standard be suspended, pending further research. Only one commenter, a person with a disability, opposed the proposal, saying it could cause litigation and a backlash against disabled riders. The rule makes these corrections, which have no substantive effects. WebAccording to International Standards on Auditing ISAs, auditor is required to obtain reasonable assurance whether financial statements give true and fair view or in others words he must be reasonably sure that financial statements are free from material misstatements. The second modification would except a particular model of lifts from the requirement that transportation providers permit standees to use lifts. We do not believe that it is necessary to prohibit applications for equivalent facilitation concerning detectable warnings. The latter group of commenters said that, in a vehicle that did not meet part 38 standards, there were safety concerns relating to door height, smoothness of operation etc. PAGE 2158 FR 63092, *63100(ATMs). The Access Board's proposed action does not apply to detectable warnings on rail platform edges. Accommodations are a very individual thing, and DRC can help you or your employee find the right solution for the given situation. 2. Comments mentioned successful experiences with detectable warnings in some systems. The uniformity considerations mentioned by commenters will be taken into account in this process. Another commenter said the Access Board specification for [*63094] detectable warnings should be made more precise, and that the "pathfinder" design had some international acceptance. INDEX. Seven additional commenters favored longer delays. "[wll,u&aElBK5#3cn6u. A substantial number of commenters opposed the Department's proposal, asserting that the detectable warnings requirement, as written, should go into effect without any postponement. Thirty-one state and local agencies working with disability matters, three private transportation providers, three members of Congress (Senators Harkin and Kennedy and Representative Mineta), and four other commenters also advocated not changing the existing rule. The DREDF comment asserted, first, that there was no documentation of actual safety problems-data or even anecdotes-necessitating a restriction on the kinds of lifts that standees should be allowed to use. Detectable warnings can prevent that last mistaken step. DRC staff will talk with the employee and the supervisor to understand the scope of the job and to find effective solutions. If manufacturers or other parties have a problem in obtaining disability group input, they can document their efforts as part of their application for an equivalent facilitation determination. This "ask, don't tell" approach should help to avoid confrontations and disruptions of service while resulting in seating being made available for passengers who need priority seating in the vast majority of instances. The basic view of these commenters was that the proposed extension of the completion date was needed to address the concerns cited in the NPRM. The supporting A statement of the eligibility requirements for coverage including: (A) The condition under which dependent enrollees may be added to those originally covered; (B) Any limiting age for enrollees and dependents, including effects of Medicare eli-gibility; and (C) A clear statement regarding the cover-age of newborn children. 57 0 obj <>stream Seating spaces may have fold-down or removable seats to accommodate other passengers when a wheelchair or mobility aid user is not occupying the area, provided the seats, when folded up, do not obstruct the clear floor space provided (See Fig. It is a way of providing a reasonable sense of security to regulated parties that accessibility modifications they make will comply with ADA requirements. The Department believes that the ambiguities in the original Access Board guidelines have been resolved by Bulletin # 1, and that FTA letters concerning compliance with the Access Board requirements are no longer necessary. The study also noted ongoing efforts at improving detectable warning materials. To permit a transportation provider to exclude a category of persons with disabilities from using a device that provides access to a vehicle on the basis of a perceived safety hazard, absent information in the rulemaking record that the hazard is real, would be inconsistent with the statute (c.f., the discussion of the transportation of three-wheeled mobility devices in the preamble to the Department's September 6, 1991, final ADA rule (56 FR 45617)). PAGE 1458 FR 63092, *63097Commenters had a variety of points of view on this proposal. Given that installation methods not raising the technical problems said to affect retrofit are possible in this situation (even though retrofit-like methods could also be used), the Department does not believe that a postponement is necessary. * * * * *(c)(1) Except as provided in this paragraph, the responsible person(s) shall achieve accessibility of key stations as soon as possible, but in no case later than July 26, 1993, except that an entity is not required to complete installation of detectable warnings required by section 10.3.2(2) of appendix A to this part until July 26, 1994. The first issue to be considered is whether the Department should continue making equivalent facilitation determinations. Other comments addressed a variety of concerns. * * * * *(d) When Amtrak or a commuter authority leases a used intercity or commuter rail car for a period of seven days or less, Amtrak or the commuter authority may make and document good faith efforts as provided in this paragraph instead of in the ways provided in paragraph (c) of this section: [*63103](1) By having and implementing, in its agreement with any intercity railroad or commuter authority that serves as a source of used intercity or commuter rail cars for a lease of seven days or less, a provision requiring that the lessor provide all available accessible rail cars before providing any inaccessible rail cars. This means, of course, that detectable warnings were to be in place by that date. Webstatement regarding inability to obtain reasonable transportation An Audio Repository of Nusach & Nigunim According to the Ashkenaz Tradition countdown Timer Expired. A transit authority and an "elderly and handicapped" advisory committee sought assurance that transit authorities and advisory committees, respectively, would be part of the public participation process. (49 CFR part 37, Appendix A, @ 2.2; 49 CFR part 38, 38.2). Reasonably possible . In support of its request for an indefinite, or, alternatively, five-year, postponement of the requirement, a rail operator cited the need to look at safety, durability, and maintainability issues, which it said current DOT research has not addressed. Consequently, the rule gives equivalent facilitation authority to the FTA and FRA Administrators. Read Liz's story. The problematical features of this lift, as described by the PTSB, include an unusually low head clearance, the tilting action of the lift as it enters the bus, and a "pit" between the lift and the bus entrance when the lift is fully raised but has not entered the bus. 12101-12213); 49 U.S.C. The second was the. Even when Amtrak leases an entire consist from a commuter authority after that date, the consist will necessarily include at least one accessible car, assuming the commuter authority lessor is in compliance with the rule. (202) 366-9306 (voice); (202) 755-7687 (TDD). The first step is to complete the DRC Accommodation Request Form so we can begin to identify your needs. The Department would apply 49 CFR 37.9, concerning grandfathering, to fare vending systems that meet the current ADA standard in the same way as that section applies to other features of transportation facilities. Five commenters (one of the above transit agencies plus four of the commenters who favored the NPRM provision) said that additional provision (e.g., a voice synthesizer system) was needed on fare vending systems to serve persons with visual impairments. Our staff will work with you to understand how your limitations impact your ability to perform your critical job tasks. It is a way of encouraging innovation and the application of newer technologies. Most of these commenters did not provide a detailed basis for their position, essentially endorsing the NPRM's rationale. It is not enough, under the ADA, to permit a passenger with a disability to enter a vehicle; the person must be able to use the vehicle for transportation. Not surprisingly, there were few comments on this matter; a handful of commenters noted it approvingly. Moreover, unlike the falls of visually-impaired persons from platforms, allegations mentioned by some commenters that properly installed detectable warnings cause safety problems (e.g., for persons using crutches or walkers, or pedestrians wearing high heels) are not supported by any evidence of these problems actually having occurred. 4. That is, they were concerned that passengers would lose their balance and fall, hit their head, or otherwise suffer injury, as the result of using the lift. The main reason for this was that, in the commenters' view, detectable warning materials need to be uniform nationwide. PAGE 1858 FR 63092, *63099transit agencies asked for guidance on how to identify people with hidden disabilities for priority seating purposes (one of these commenters suggested that such passengers self-disclose). Lifts meeting Access Board standards will have handrails. When reviewing the request for the medical disability exception, the officer must determine whether the medical professional explained that the applicant has a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment that prevents the applicant from being able Reasonable accommodations may include changes which may be necessary in order for the person with a disability to use and enjoy a dwelling, including public and common use spaces, or participate in the federally-assisted program or activity. U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE It is not fair to burden research with the expectation that it will solve all practical problems, which probably are best worked out in actual planning and installation. Five requested that handrails be retrofitted on existing lifts, and one commenter opposed this idea. 9. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. While we understand the concerns of transit agency commenters about the potential safety risks that may be involved, the Department does not have a basis in the rulemaking record for authorizing a restriction on lift use by standees. (2) The requesting party shall provide the following information with its request:(i) Entity name, address, contact person and telephone;(ii) Specific provision of part 38 of this subtitle with which the entity is unable to comply;(iii) Reasons for inability to comply;(iv) Alternative method of compliance, with demonstration of how the alternative meets or exceeds the level of accessibility or usability of the vehicle provided in part 38 of this subtitle; and(v) Documentation of the public participation used in developing an alternative method of compliance. Virtually all commenters supported the proposal, agreeing with the rationale articulated above. This extension applies only to detectable warnings. (56 FR 45618). The purpose of the detectable warning is to inform blind or visually impaired passengers that they are nearing the platform edge. For any key station modification which, because of an extension of time for extraordinarily expensive changes, does not have to be completed until after July 26, 1994, detectable warnings would have to be installed on the same date as other modifications had to be completed. OTHER ACCEPTABLE DISABILITY-RELATED INQUIRIES AND MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS OF EMPLOYEES. This rule is not a significant rule under the Executive Order on Regulatory Planning and Review. The final rule specifically bars claims by manufacturers that an equivalent facilitation determination constitutes a product endorsement by the Department. Under the present rule, except where the Department has extended time for completion of modifications to a key station, rail operators had to make key stations accessible by July 26, 1993. The Department encourages the use of such accommodations, in the interest of improving safe and convenient service to passengers. [*63092]SUMMARY: The Department is amending its rules implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in several respects. One disability community commenter and one state or local agency working on disability matters recommended that, regardless of other considerations, each train always have at least one accessible car (after July 1955, presumably). These support services are provided throughout DOT, regardless of an employee's geographic location. The conclusion the Department draws from this study is that there are documented practical problems with the installation and maintenance of some detectable warning materials, which it is necessary for transit properties to address if their installation of detectable warnings is to be successful. WebDocumentation RequirementsInability to obtain reasonable lodging in Texas. Issued this 25th day of October, 1993, at Washington, D.C. Federico Pena,Secretary of Transportation.For the reasons set forth in the Preamble, the Department of Transportation amends 49 CFR parts 37 and 38 as follows: (b)(1) For purposes of implementing the equivalent facilitation provision in @ 38.2 of this subtitle, the following parties may submit to the Administrator of the applicable operating administration a request for a determination of equivalent facilitation: PAGE 2358 FR 63092, *63101(i) A public or private entity that provides transportation services and is subject to the provisions of subpart D or subpart E this part; or(ii) The manufacturer of a vehicle or a vehicle component or subsystem to be used by such entity to comply with this part. Also, if Amtrak could obtain cars for a particular area of its service from both Commuter Authority B and Commuter Authority C, and C had more accessible cars available than B, Amtrak would borrow C's accessible cars before it borrowed inaccessible cars from B. Eleven commenters (eight disability community commenters, Amtrak and one other transit provider, and one state or local agency working on disability matters) favored the NPRM approach. (6) Determinations of equivalent facilitation are made only with respect to transportation facilities, and pertain only to the specific situation concerning which the determination is made. The DOT study alluded to by commenters, with some qualifications, does support the proposition that standees may use lifts safely and successfully. These good faith efforts are the same that apply to purchases of used rolling stock (e.g., buses) by mass transit systems-an initial solicitation for accessible vehicles, a nationwide search for accessible vehicles, including advertising in trade publications and contacting trade associations. Fourteen commenters supported the NPRM provision as drafted. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. The language reads as follows:Departures from particular technical and scoping requirements of these guidelines by the use of other designs or technologies are permitted where the alternative designs and technologies used will provide substantially equivalent or greater access to and usability of the facility [vehicle]. Connection Between Medical Disability and Educational Requirements. This will inform passengers that such a request may be made and that they should comply. The Department is adopting this proposal without change. * * * * *. Copies of the final rule are available in alternative formats on request. Transit providers have asked the Department whether they have an obligation under the ADA to direct other passengers to move from designated priority seats or from fold-down seats over a wheelchair securement location when a passenger with a disability enters the vehicle. (5) A determination of compliance will be made by the Administrator of the concerned operating administration on a case-by-case basis, with the concurrence of the Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs. (B) The manufacturer of a product or accessibility feature to be used in the facility of such entity to comply with this part. The Department will also endeavor to respond to requests for equivalent facilitation as soon as possible. The Department believes that, given the safety-related reasons for a detectable warning requirement documented in the rulemaking record, deleting the requirement postponing it indefinitely, or postponing it for a lengthy period (e.g., five years) would be inadvisable.

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