The ADA covers both public and private transportation and contains specific requirements for transit systems including fixed route buses, light and heavy rail systems, ADA complementary paratransit, over-the-road buses, shuttles, and other forms of transportation.
Some transportation is not covered by the ADA. Transportation for students with disabilities in public elementary and secondary schools is addressed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and/or the Rehabilitation Act. Air travel is covered by the Air Carriers Access Act (ACAA).
Public Transportation:
State and local governments, also called public entities, often provide public transportation services. These can include fixed-route bus systems, demand-responsive systems that use vans or buses to provide individually scheduled rides, light rail, or subway systems.
Public entities that operate certain types of fixed route systems must also provide complementary paratransit services for people whose disabilities prevent them from independently using the fixed route system. Entities may use subscription services as part of the complementary paratransit system. Complementary paratransit services must be comparable to the fixed route and must be available during the same days and times. Fares may not be more than twice the amount charged for a comparable trip on the fixed route.
Public entities cannot discriminate against an individual with a disability in the provision of transportation services.
Transportation entities must maintain their facilities and vehicles in operative condition, meaning readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. This includes lifts and other means of access to the vehicles, securement devices, signage, and systems to facilitate communications with people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, or have vision loss.
Service animals are permitted to accompany people with disabilities in vehicles and facilities.
Transportation personnel must be trained so that they operate vehicles and equipment safely, and properly assist and treat people with disabilities with respect and courtesy.
Private Transportation Services:
Private entities covered by Title III may offer transportation services to the public. Sometimes the primary function of the business is providing transportation, for example, taxi companies or airport shuttle services. Other businesses offer transportation as part of a menu of customer service options, such as hotels that offer shuttles to nearby shopping centers or airports. These transportation services may operate on a fixed-route basis or a demand-responsive basis.
Common examples of privately operated transportation services include, but are not limited to: taxi cabs, over-the-road buses, airport shuttles, hotel shuttles, casino shuttles, and amusement park shuttles.
Transportation providers cannot discriminate against an individual with a disability in the provision of transportation services.
Transportation companies must maintain in operative condition those features of facilities and vehicles that are required to make the facilities and vehicles readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. These features include lifts and other means of access to the vehicles, securement devices, signage, and systems to facilitate communications with people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, or have vision loss.
Service animals are permitted to accompany people with disabilities in vehicles and facilities.
Transportation personnel must be trained to proficiency, as appropriate to their duties, so that they operate vehicles and equipment safely, and properly assist and treat people with disabilities with respect and courtesy.