The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is federal legislation prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.  One of the overriding principles of the ADA is to ensure that all people have equal access to public transportation.  In order to ensure access, public transit vehicles and facilities are required to be fully accessible and usable by persons with disabilities.  For people who are unable, due to a physical or mental disability (including mobility or cognitive impairments) to independently use the public fixed-route transportation (DART), paratransit services must be made available.

If you believe that you have a disability (including mobility or cognitive impairments), which prevents you from independently using or accessing the DART fixed-route transportation facilities and/or buses, please complete this application form and return it to the City of Delano, Delano Area Rapid Transit, 1120 Glenwood Street, Delano, CA 93215.  The completed application can also be sent by FAX to (661) 721-2590.  The questions on this form are designed to provide assistance in determining your eligibility for paratransit service.

As an added service, seniors age 65 or older or Medicare cardholders, are also eligible to use Delano Area Dial-A-Ride within the ¾ mile boundary of a DART fixed route.  Please complete the appropriate portions of this application and return it to the above address.

Your completed application will be reviewed and a decision regarding your eligibility for paratransit service will be made within 21 days.  You may be found eligible for paratransit services for your travel needs, or you may be found capable of using the DART fixed-route system.  If you disagree with the decision made regarding your eligibility status, you may appeal the decision.  It is possible that upon review of your application, you may be asked to provide additional information.  All information requested throughout the certification process will be kept confidential.

Not everyone with a disability can ride Delano Area Dial-A-Ride because that is not the intent of the ADA.  Paratransit service is intended to function as a transportation safety net for individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities whose impairment prevents the use of the DART fixed route system.  The ADA stresses the importance of persons with disabilities having the opportunity, encouragement, and/or training to use fixed-route transportation (DART) as a means to integrate more fully into society.

If you have any questions about the Delano Area Dial-A-Ride application process, or the Delano Area Dial-A-Ride in general, please call (661) 721-3333 - TDD/TTY: 711 through the California Relay Service.

A large print, Braille and cassette version of this application is available

by calling (661) 721-2602 – TDD/TTY: 711 through the California Relay Service.

There are three categories of eligibility when filling out this application, CHOOSE ONE ONLY.  Priority service is given to those who meet ADA eligibility requirements.  All others ride Delano Area Dial-A-Ride on a space-available basis.

1.                  ALL APPLICANTS fill out Step 1 of the application.

2.                  Complete the certification section that applies to you in STEP 2.  Check A, B, or C.  SELECT ONE ONLY.

A.     AGE:  Are you 65 or older?  Then check Step 2, section (A) ONLY and attach verification of your birth date.

B.      NON-ADA – PERSON WITH DISABILITY:  Do you have a disability which makes using Delano Area Rapid Transit (DART) difficult, but not impossible?  Then check Step 2, section (B) ONLY.  Explain your disability on the reverse side of the application and have your physician, or authorized human service agency representative listed in STEP 3 sign the application at the bottom of page 4.

C.     ADA ELIGIBILE:  Do you have a disability which makes using DART impossible?  Then check Step 2, section (C) and select criteria C-1 or C-2, whichever applies to your situation.  Have your physician, or authorized human service agency representative explain your disability by completing Step 4 of the application.

3.                  Complete the Supplemental Questionnaire on page 4.  The information

provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire will not be used to determine your eligibility.  This information is to assist the Delano Area Dial-A-Ride staff in meeting any special needs or service requirements you may have.

Mail, or return the completed application and questionnaire to: City of Delano, Delano Area Rapid Transit, 1120 Glenwood Street, Delano, CA 93215.  To expedite processing the completed application and questionnaire can be faxed to Delano Area Dial-A-Ride at (661) 721-3333.  It is important that you complete all applicable portions of this application—type or print please.  Applications that are not complete or clearly written will be returned, which will delay the eligibility determination process.

4.                  If you are certified eligible for paratransit service, you will receive your Dial-A-

Ride Eligibility Card and a Delano Area Dial-A-Ride Rider’s Guide within 21 days.  If you are denied ADA eligibility, you may appeal the decision to the City of Delano Transportation Services Manager by calling (661) 721-2602.

If you have any questions about the Dial-A-Ride application process, please call (661) 721-2602.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) states that a city, which has a fixed-route bus system, like DART, must also operate a paratransit system (Dial-A-Ride) for those persons not able to use the regular buses.  The criteria for certifying that a person is eligible under ADA to ride Delano Area Dial-A-Ride are:

IS THE APPLICANT FUNCTIONALLY ABLE TO RIDE THE REGULAR DART BUS SYSTEM AND ARE THEY ABLE TO GET TO AND FROM A BUS STOP?

Many people with either cognitive or physical disabilities are able to ride DART.  Many agencies will help to travel train their clients on how to ride the regular bus system.  All buses in the DART system meet ADA accessibility standards.

HOWEVER, if a person with a disability cannot INDEPENDENTLY board, ride or disembark from the regular DART bus, they are eligible to ride Delano Area Dial-A-Ride under ADA guidelines (C-1).

          Some examples are:

Inability to climb steps; cognitive inability to use the DART system including transfers, fare payment and stop signaling; severe mental retardation; severe lack of coordination/motor function; psychiatric disabilities causing disorientation; Alzheimer’s disease; vision impairments, etc.

A second category (C-3) of eligibility includes individuals who have specific impairment-related conditions that PREVENTS them from getting to or from a bus stop.

          Some examples are:

Chronic fatigue and excessive distance to the DART stop; special sensitivity to high or low temperature; severe cardiac conditions; dialysis; radiation/ chemotherapy; a cognitive disability which impairs the ability of the individual to remember and follow directions, etc.

A third category (C-2) of eligibility includes individuals who have specific impairment-related conditions that PREVENTS them from getting to or from a bus stop or on or off a bus that is not yet accessible.

          Some examples are:

Physical obstructions such as lack of curb cuts for wheelchairs,  bus in service does not have a wheelchair lift, etc.

If the person meets one of the two criteria listed above, they are eligible under ADA, and thus, Section C should be marked appropriately on the application form.  If a person does not meet these criteria, they must be eligible under Section B; non-ADA disabled, on the application.  Please mark one section only.

For more information or questions, please contact the City of Delano Transportation Services Manager at (661) 721-2602.

Applicants who are denied eligibility will be notified in writing within 21 days of completion of their eligibility certification evaluation.  Applicants have 60 days from the date of written denial to request an appeal.  An administrative review and in-person functional assessment may be conducted for each appeal by the third party not affiliated with the eligibility certification team.  Appeal decisions will be final.

Download the Appeal Application