New Horizons Un-Limited Inc.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Transportation

National

Transportation Rights

• Where can I call for information on disability-related difficulty with air service.
• If I need to arrange van transportation from my local paratransit company for 1:00PM, is it legal for them to tell me I will have a pick-up time of 11:45AM?
• Is it legal to call as soon as a day in advance for a ride from a van transportation paratransit company?
• Can I make a reservation to ride the van paratransit transportation 7 days in advance?
• Is it legal to charge more for van transportation than if I rode the public bus?
• What can I do if my transportation service is very late?
• Can my caregiver accompany me on my trip via a transportation service?

Moving

• Do you know of any charitable organization that could assist someone in transporting someone from one area of the country to another?

State Listings

Wisconsin

• What is Transit Plus and how can I obtain more information?

National

Legislation and Rights

Q: If I need to arrange van transportation from my local paratransit company for 1:00PM, is it legal for them to tell me I will have a pick-up time of 11:45AM?

• A: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that a van company cannot schedule an hour before or an hour after your requested time for pickup. Your local paratransit company would not be following the legal guidelines for scheduling your requested time for pickup if you ask for a 1:00PM pickup and they schedule you for 11:45AM.

Q: Is it legal to call as soon as a day in advance for a ride from a van transportation paratransit company?

• A: Under the ADA, next day service is allowed as long as you call during normal business hours. Check your local transportation paratransit company for their normal business hours. You may also call during comparable normal business hours on a day when the transportation offices are not open before a service day. In other words, even if the transportation offices are closed on Sunday, you can still schedule service on Sunday for Monday pickup as long as you call during comparable normal business hours.

Q: Can I make a reservation to ride the van paratransit transportation 7 days in advance?

• A: Under the ADA you can make a reservation up to 14 days in advance.

Q: Is it legal to charge more for van transportation than if I rode the public bus?

• A: Under the ADA, the fare for paratransit (van) transportation can be no higher than twice the amount of the fixed route services (the bus). If you pay $1.35 on the bus, the van can charge no more than $2.70.

Q: What can I do if my transportation service is very late?

• A: Recently a member of the NHU community was waiting for a ride on Transit Express in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when they realized their ride was very late. As they had made plans to meet friends at SummerFest and that they would be unable to get a hold of them to let them know that they would be late, they called the Transit Plus Helpline at (414) 343-1703.

  A mix up had occurred because they had called to cancel an evening reservation the day prior and instead of cancelling that reservation, Transit Express had cancelled their morning reservation instead. The receptionist was able to obtain another ride within 2 hours. Another complaint helpline for Milwaukee County transit problems is to call the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy at (414)342-8700.

  If you use transit systems, become familiar with their consumer helplines in the event of an emergency.

Q: Can my caregiver accompany me on my trip via a transportation service?

• A: A caregiver or personal care attendant can accompany you on your trip and shall not be charged. A family member also can travel with you.

See the U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Transit Authority on-line office to technical assistance concerning the transportation implementing regulations of title II and title III of the ADA. For complaints on transportation or for information call the FTA Office of Civil Rights (TCR) ADA Assistance Line (888) 446-4511 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD/FIRS) or email ada.assistance@fta.dot.gov

Q: Do you know of any charitable organization that could assist someone in transporting someone from one area of the country to another?

• A: There are many reasons that a person may have to be transported from one area of the country to another. Perhaps you need to be transported for medical care or you need to live in a different area of the country due to economic changes or health reasons. The following are a list of some resources that may or may not be able to assist you depending on your circumstances and whether or not you qualify for the program.

  In addition, you may want to ask your personal support group, family and friends. Also inquire at your local church or other community organizations if they have any programs that could assist you or if they would be willing to assist you.

  You should also contact your local Center for Independent Living or the Center for Independent Living in the community in which you wish to move. Centers for Independent Living are organizations for people with disabilities and may be able to assist you with more than transportation in such a move such as housing and care. To find your local Center for Independent Living, go to our New Horizons Un-Limited page on CIL's or visit the National Independent Living Council Directory and click on your state.

  • Modest Needs is an organization that will post your need to try to obtain donations from the Internet community to assist you. Modest Needs mission is to stop the cycle of poverty BEFORE it starts for the low-income workers. They do this by offering members of the general public to safely and securely help hard-working, low-income households to afford the kinds of short-term emergency expenses (within limits of value) that we've all encountered before: the unexpected car repair, the unanticipated visit to the doctor, or the unusually large heating bill, for example. They accomplish the donations and grants all on-line. You must have access to a computer to apply. Modest Needs offers three types of grants: Self-Sufficiency Grants, Back-to-Work Grants, and Independent Living Grants. To apply you must be at least 18 years of age;a legal resident of the United States or Canada; meet household income levels of the federally defined 'poverty level' be able to check your computer and have access to a scanner.

  • Instant Grant Search - This program may be able to search for grants that may fit your needs.

  • Transition Assistance Program If you or your spouse are Veterans, this program may be able to assist you.

State Listings

Wisconsin

Community and Internet Resources

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