Reasonable Modifications
What is Reasonable Modification?
The Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) is committed to providing customers including those with disabilities with safe, reliable, accessible and user-friendly services. As part of this commitment, the VTA has adopted this policy to provide a procedure for receiving, processing and responding to requests for reasonable modifications to VTA’s Policies or practices by individuals with disabilities.
Legislation
On March 13, 2015, the Department of Transportation issued a Final Ruling regarding 49 CFR Parts 27 and 37-Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities; Reasonable Modification of Policies and Practices. This ruling requires public entities providing designated public transportation services to make reasonable modifications and accommodations to policies and practices to ensure program accessibility. The rule further requires that public entities adopt a formal process for tracking and responding to said requests for modifications.
VTA will accommodate requests provided that:
- Fundamental nature of the service, program or activity is not altered, or
- It does not cause a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or
- It does not result in an undue financial and administrative burden, or
- The requestor would not be able to fully use the service provided by VTA without the modification.
Reasonable Modifications Request Form
Individuals requesting modifications shall describe what they need in order to use the service.
Individuals requesting modifications are not required to use the term "reasonable modification" when making a request.
Whenever feasible, requests for modifications shall be made and determined in advance, before VTA is expected to provide the modified service, for example, during the paratransit eligibility process, through customer service inquiries, or through the VTA’s feedback process.
Where a request for modification cannot practicably be made and determined in advance, operating personnel shall make a determination of whether the modification should be provided at the time of the request. Operating personnel may consult with VTA’s management before making a determination to grant or deny the request.
Ways to Submit a Reasonable Modification Request Form
Fax the request form to 508-693-9953
Send an email to our Reasonable Requests Coordinator
Call 508-693-9440 ext.111
Mail a request to:
VTA Reasonable Modifications
11 A Street
Edgartown, MA 02539
Request Denials and Request Protests
If a request for reasonable modification is denied, the requester has the right to protest the decision by following VTA’s ADA protest procedures. Copies are available upon request. Also, a copy of the ADA protest procedures will be included with the written decision of denial. The VTA will take, to the maximum extent possible, any other actions that may be available to them to ensure that the individual with a disability receives the services or benefits provided by the VTA that would not result in a direct threat or fundamental alteration.