All persons seeking eligibility for Paratransit Service ADA Program must appear in person. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether the applicant can ever use the fixed route bus and TRAX light rail service, even after training and, if not, what specific circumstances would create a barrier to the applicant's independent use of the fixed route bus service. Information provided by a health care professional regarding the applicant's ability to use the bus may also be considered. The application form will be completed at the time of the interview. The functional assessment is a mechanism to help determine whether the applicant has the ability to use the fixed route bus and TRAX light rail service and, if so, under what circumstances.
Functional assessments are evaluations used to predict either physical or cognitive ability.
They are designed and conducted by independent professionals. The physical functional evaluation consists of a mock trip to and from the bus, including boarding an accessible bus, accessing the TRAX light rail ramp, negotiating a curb, a curb-cut and crossing the street. Skills evaluated include balance, strength, coordination and range of motion. Skills evaluated include bus travel skills, community safety skills and general orientation. Variables in the environment as well as the applicant's ability to perform the tasks required in using the fixed route bus and TRAX light rail service is considered.