eligibility for star

Applying for Certification

STAR (SPECIAL TRANSIT AVAILABLE BY REQUEST) is a Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) public transportation service providing origin to destination, shared ride service for individuals with disabilities that prevent them from using accessible fixed route bus service. This service will operate no further than three quarters of a mile from any fixed bus route. Additionally, STAR service is only provided during the days and the times that CDTA’s fixed route bus service operates. The ADA defines “prevents or prevented travel not only where travel is literally impossible, but also where difficulties are so substantially limited that a person with a disability related condition would be deterred from making the trip”. Disability alone does not determine paratransit eligibility; the decision is based on the applicant's functional ability to use the fixed route bus. At the same time, unavailability of fixed route service by itself does not constitute eligibility for a person who could otherwise take the same trip on the bus, were the service available.

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The Eligibility Process
To become eligible to use STAR service, an individual must submit a completed pre-evaluation form and be certified eligible by an independent evaluator as determined by CDTA. To receive a pre-evaluation form, please contact STAR at 482-2022. The Pre-evaluation form is available in accessible format upon request. The STAR paperwork consists of a pre-evaluation form as well as an authorization form for release of information so in the event we may have to contact a health services professional on your behalf to verify your disability even further.

A) Applicants will complete the pre-evaluation form and mail or fax it to the CDTA’S ADA Certification Manager, 110 Watervliet Avenue, Albany, NY 12206. Within 5 business days of receipt of the completed pre-evaluation form, CDTA will contact the applicant and schedule an in-person assessment. The assessment will be scheduled within 5 business days of receiving the completed pre-evaluation form.

B) CDTA will ask if the applicant needs transportation to the evaluation. If so, CDTA will arrange free transportation. CDTA will confirm with the applicant information on pick up times. There is no cost to the applicant for this evaluation or for transportation to the evaluation site.

C) CDTA will schedule an appointment based upon a two-hour stay at the Evaluator’s facility. This time will permit normal waits caused from delays, the assessment interview, and time for the functional assessment. The two-hour period is required to provide the customer adequate assessment time and to schedule the return paratransit trip. This time period may be modified, as needed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to return this paperwork. Incomplete paperwork will delay the process.

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Requirements

Applicants must meet one or more of the following criteria to become eligible for paratransit service.

A) The individual is unable, as a result of a physical, mental, visual or cognitive disability, to board, ride or disembark from buses in the fixed route system.

B) The individual can use (has the ability to use) an accessible vehicle but such a vehicle does not operate on the route that he/she wishes to travel. All CDTA buses are accessible for individuals with disabilities as well as individuals using wheelchairs.

C) The individual with a disability has a specific impairment related condition that prevents travel to a boarding location or from a disembarking location on the fixed route system.

Within 21 days of completing the functional assessment all applicants will be notified in writing of the decision. If a determination has not been made within 21 days of completing the functional assessment an applicant will get presumptive eligibility until a final decision is made.

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Categories of Eligibility

People who are determined to be eligible for Paratransit Service are assigned an eligibility category that is consistent with their ability to use CDTA’s fixed route bus. Categories are:

Unconditional, if the applicant is determined to be unable to ever independently use the fixed route bus service, even with training. A rider will receive unconditional eligibility.

Temporary, if the applicant is unable to use the fixed route bus service for a limited period of time.

Transitional, if the applicant is determined to be able to learn to use the fixed route bus service with training.

Conditional, if the applicant can use the fixed route bus service sometimes, but may require Paratransit Service in special circumstances when the interaction of the individual's disability and the environment or a special circumstance creates a barrier for safe, independent use of the fixed route bus service for a particular trip. Examples of conditional eligibility includes people with extreme fatigue after dialysis, or a bus stop that requires a person who is blind to negotiate a dangerous pedestrian area, like a large open parking lot with no reference points.

Applicants who are approved will receive a letter outlining the type of service he or she will be entitled to and will receive a “How to Ride Guide”.

Applicants whose eligibility is denied will receive a letter that will explain the reasons for the denial and what their rights are.

If applicants disagree with the reasons for the denial or limitations of their eligibility, they have a right to appeal such a decision and the appeal process will be explained in the paperwork they receive.

For more information and any questions please contact the:
ADA Certification Manager at (518) 482-2022. Fax:518-437-8391

To apply for the STAR Program, click here.

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