Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Accessibility Resources for Rural Transit Managers

Rules, regulations, and FTA guidance:

• FTA Civil Rights/ADA Programs and Requirements for Indian Tribes Fact Sheet
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission "What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws"
• FTA Circular C 4710.1 - Americans with Disabilities Act: Guidance 
• 49 CFR, Part 27 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance 
• 49 CFR, Part 37 - Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities (ADA) 
• 49 CFR, Part 38 - ADA Accessibility Specifications for Transportation Vehicles 
• 49 CFR, Part 39 - Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities: Passenger Vessels
• FTA ADA Training Web Page

Resources for all rural transit systems:

• National RTAP ADA Driver Training Webinar (held on February 22, 2024)
• Recording
• Presentation slides
• National RTAP ADA Driver Training (e-learning course)
• Administration for Community Living's (ACL) Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) 
• NADTC - Public Transportation and Passengers with Alzheimer's or Dementia 
• CDC COVID-19 Materials for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Care Providers 
• FAQ's: The ADA, Small Business and Face Mask Policies
• National RTAP ADA Topic Guide
• National RTAP ADA Toolkit
• National RTAP New Developments in the ADA Toolkit - Coronavirus Disease 2019 
• Frequently Asked Questions from FTA Grantees Regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Civil Rights Questions
• ADA Essentials for Transit Board Members: Fundamentals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (2011) 
• Disability Etiquette - Tips for Interacting with People with Disabilities (2015)
  
• ADA Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals

Resources for demand-response systems:

• ADA Guide for Rural Demand-Response Transportation Service Providers (2014)

Resources for fixed-route systems:

• Toolkit for the Assessment of Bus Stop Accessibility and Safety (2014)
• Strategy Guide to Enable and Promote the Use of Fixed-Route Transit by People with Disabilities (TCRP Report 163)
• Transit Operator’s Pocket Guide (2017) - Note: most of the information in this pocket guide is also relevant for demand-response drivers!
• Easterseals Project Action Consulting offers frequent travel training learning opportunities and a travel trainer certification program

Resources on ADA complementary paratransit:

• National RTAP Hot Topic Guide: Paratransit
• Determining ADA Paratransit Eligibility: An Approach, Recommendations and Training Materials (2014)
• Innovative Practices in Paratransit Service (2002)
• Easterseals Project Action Consulting offers a paratransit manager certification program and relevant training opportunities

Updated 3/15/2024