Reasonable Modifications

PURPOSE:

As required by the Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Manatee County Area Transit will undertake reasonable modifications to policies and practices upon request, to ensure that services are accessible to persons with disabilities.

PROCEDURE:

Public entities that provide designated public transportation are required to make reasonable modification in policies, practices, or procedures when such modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability or to provide program accessibility, subject to three limitations. The limitations (i.e., valid grounds for denial of a "reasonable modification" request) are as follows:

  1. Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of the entity's services, programs or activities;
  2. Granting the request would create a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
  3. Without the requested modification, the individual with a disability is able to fully use the entity's services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose.

Reasonable Modification requests related to Fixed Route or Paratransit services should first be directed to the Transit Operations Chief; and when the Operations Chief is not available, the appropriate Operations Superintendent. Other Reasonable Modification requests will be forwarded to the appropriate staff person responsible for that service or function.

All decisions with respect to Reasonable Modification requests will be implemented upon a case-by-­case basis, in accordance with final DOT/FTA rules, regulations and/or circulars. When necessary, questions may be forwarded to the FTA or consultant experts. This procedure must be amended, when necessary, to conform to new FTA rules, regulations or regulatory interpretations.

ORIGINATOR, TITLE, AND DEPARTMENT NAME

Matthew Case, Interim Transit Division Manager, Public Works/Transit Division

AUTHORIZATION

Matthew Case, Interim Transit Division Manager, Transit Division Manager

HISTORY

Modification of Title: DOT's Part 27 Rehabilitation Act, and DOT Part 37 ADA Regulations.

RELATED POLICY

N/A

DATE ISSUED/SUNSET DATE

Issue Date 3/30/2022

Sunset Date: 3/30/2027