Both conventional and specialized transportation providers must conduct
employee and volunteer accessibility training, including training on the safe use
of accessibility equipment, emergency preparedness that ensures the safety of
people with disabilities, and acceptable modifications to procedures when
accessibility equipment fails. Records of this training must be kept.
No conventional or specialized provider may charge a fare to a support person
who is accompanying a person with a disability where the person with the
disability requires such support. It is the person with the disability’s responsibility
to demonstrate their need for support. This requirement must be met by January
1, 2014.
Conventional transportation service providers who, as of June 30, 2011, have
existing contracts to purchase vehicles that do not meet the Standard’s
accessibility requirements are entitled to maintain those contracts. These same
providers are not required to retrofit vehicles that were part of their fleet on July
1, 2011.^34
At sections 44 to 62, the Integrated Standards set out detailed requirements for
conventional transportation service providers regarding accessibility of vehicles
and transportation systems, including requirements related to fares, transit stops,
storage of mobility aids, provision of courtesy seating, dealing with service
disruptions, announcements, grab bars and handrails, floors and carpets,
allocated spaces for mobility aids, stop requests and emergency response
controls, lighting, signage, steps, and alarm systems. Compliance is required at
different times, depending on the particular obligation.
At sections 63 to 74, the Integrated Standards set out requirements that
specialized transportation service providers must fulfill. By January 1, 2017 para
transit providers must implement changes to their eligibility requirements so that
(^34) Ibid at ss 39, 40.