PUBLIC NOTICE UNDER THE ADA and REHABILITATION ACT
In accordance with the requirements set forth by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.
Reasonable Modifications to Policies and Procedures: By request, HRT will make reasonable modifications to policies and practices to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in all of its programs, services, and activities. HRT, however, is not required to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, create a direct threat to the health and/or safety of others, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. To make a request, you may complete the Reasonable Modification/Accommodation Request Form or contact the ADA Compliance Specialist. Field requests for accommodation may be made directly to vehicle operators for bus, light rail, and paratransit or to “Designated Vessel Deckhand for ADA” for ferries.
Service Animals: Service animals are permitted on board all HRT vehicles and in all HRT facilities. You are not required to provide proof of certification for the animal; however, you may be asked if your animal is a service animal and what tasks or functions your service animal provides for you. Any service animal that is disruptive and/or poses as a direct health or safety threat to others may be denied entry to or removed from any HRT vehicle or HRT facility. Pets and companion animals are not defined by the FTA as service animals.
Service Animals in Training: In accordance with the ADA, service animals in training are not considered service animals. HRT has the right to adopt this criterion as part of its policy, however, will consider accepting a service animal in training onboard vehicles and inside facilities only through written approval provided by HRT’s ADA Compliance Specialist. You must obtain written approval prior to utilizing your service animal in training within HRT services and facilities otherwise be subject to the possibility of animal refusal by HRT personnel. Service animals in training that are approved must abide by the same behavioral expectations as other service animals in accordance with HRT’s Service Animal Policy.
Effective Communication: Upon request, HRT will generally provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in HRT’s programs, services, and activities. Some examples of services may include qualified sign language interpreters, documents in alternative formats, and audio transcripts.
Complaints: Hampton Roads Transit is committed to a program of non-discrimination. You have a right to file a formal complaint under the American Disabilities Act and/or §504 of the Rehabilitation Act. To file a formal complaint, you may complete the ADA/§504 Complaint Form. For immediate resolution to complaints on ferries, concerns may be made directly to the “Designated Vessel Deckhand for ADA”.
Process: All requests for reasonable modifications, alternative formatting or services for effective communication, Service Animal in Training documentation, and complaints that a program, service, or activity of Hampton Roads Transit is not ADA accessible should be directed to the ADA Compliance Specialist.
Surcharges: Hampton Roads Transit will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing effective communication or reasonable modifications of policies and practices.
If you need assistance or have questions, please contact:
Hampton Roads Transit
ADA Compliance Specialist
509 East 18th Street
Norfolk, Virginia 23504
(757) 222-6000
TTY: Dial 711
ada@hrtransit.org