ADA Eligibility Certification
To become certified for MTS Access, prospective riders are required to complete an application process for ADA certification.
- Complete an application:
- Online at www.rideonmts.com or
- Email access@sdmts.com or
- Call 844-299-6326 (TTY/TTD7-1-1) Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for a paper application
Once your application and medical certification forms are completed please call 844.299.6326 (TTY/TTD7-1-1) to schedule your in-person assessment. MTS will make a decision within 21 days from the date of your completed assessment. If 21 days have passed since your assessment at an in-person appointment, you will be given temporary eligibility until a final determination occurs.
After a review of all application materials, one (1) of the following determinations will be made:
- Unconditional: Individuals who are never able to board, ride, disembark, or understand the fixed route bus and trolley system under any circumstances. Five year certification.
- Conditional: Individuals who are eligible to use MTS Access under any circumstances when fixed route is not a viable option due to effects of a disability. Individuals have been determined to be able to use fixed route service under certain circumstances as identified in their eligibility determination. Five year certification.
- Temporary: Individuals whose disability is expected to improve over time.
- Ineligible: Individuals who indicate or demonstrate they have the functional ability to board, ride, disembark, and understand the fixed route bus and trolley system under all circumstances.
Appealing Eligibility determinations
Applicants have 60 days from the date of their eligibility determination letter to appeal. Details regarding the applicant’s options and timeframes will be outlined in the eligibility determination letter. Appeals must be submitted in writing to:
MTS Access Eligibility via Mail:
MTS Access Eligibility Center
100 16th St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Email: Access@sdmts.com
Fax: (844) 299-6369
Eligibility Appeals Policy
If an individual disagrees with the determination from the in-person assessment, they may appeal within 60 days from the postmark date of MTS Access’s determination letter. Applicant can appeal using the Appeal request form provided with their eligibility determination letter or simply sending a message, use of the form is not mandatory to appeal. Appeal requests can be mailed, emailed or faxed. All the applicant must do is inform MTS they wish to appeal. No reason must be given to initiate the appeal. The individual can choose one of the following options for their appeal:
- Functional Assessment; or
- Appeal Hearing
Option 1: FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT: If the individual requests a functional assessment, MTS Staff will contact the individual to schedule the functional assessment. Transportation to the functional assessment will be provided to the individual at no-cost if needed. A functional assessment is evaluated by a different Mobility Assessment Evaluator (MAE) than used during the initial in-person assessment. A functional assessment provides a more in-depth evaluation of functional abilities and limitations, through multiple physical and cognitive assessment strategies. The functional assessment occurs in the natural environment, allowing functional abilities to be assessed to be closely correlated to fixed route use. Following the functional assessment, the MAE evaluates all material from the initial and functional assessment and makes a determination to either uphold or modify the initial eligibility determination.
MTS staff will notify the appellant of their decision via mail/email within 21 days of the functional assessment. If the applicant is granted anything other than Unconditional Eligibility the appeal will be forwarded to the MTS Access Appeal Board (See Option 2).
Option 2: APPEAL HEARING: If the individual requests an Appeal Hearing, MTS Staff will contact the individual to schedule the hearing date. The MTS Access Appeal Board includes select individuals who 1) have knowledge of fixed route transit and complementary paratransit policies; 2) have a thorough understanding of the functions and intent of complementary paratransit and the regulatory criteria for ADA paratransit eligibility similar to those of appellants; and/or 3) have a high level of knowledge about the functional abilities of individuals with disabilities. Appellants may present additional evidence supporting their reason for appeal at the MTS Access Appeals Board Hearing, which may include witnesses or medical documentation. The appellant may appear in person to the MTS Access Appeals Board Hearing, but it is not required.
After the MTS Access Appeals Board Hearing the MTS Access Appeals Board reviews the application, the initial and functional assessment records, any supplemental documentation provided, and written or in-person testimony from the appellant and any witnesses. Once all necessary information is available for review, the MTS Access Appeal Board holds discussions and a decision is made on the eligibility determination. A majority (i.e. two of the three members) is needed to make a determination. The MTS Access Appeals Board then aims to send its written decision to the appellant within 30 days of the MTS Access Appeal Board Hearing. If the decision takes longer than 30 days, a new applicant will be granted unconditional presumptive eligibility until such time as the Appeals board notifies the applicant of its final decision. If the decision takes longer than 30 days, for a recertifying applicant they will continue to receive their prior eligibility status until such time as the Appeals board notifies the applicant of its final decision.
Visitor
A visitor is an individual with disabilities who does not reside in the jurisdiction served by MTS. To qualify for visitor eligibility, either the visitor or the applicable transit agency can submit documentation that the individual is ADA paratransit eligible in the jurisdiction in which they reside.
If a visitor does not have documentation of ADA paratransit eligibility, MTS Access may require documentation of the individual’s place of residence and disability. For visitors whose disability is apparent, per 49 CFR § 37.127(d), no other documentation is required. For visitors whose disability is not apparent (e.g., cognitive disability or cardiac condition), per 49 CFR § 37.127(d), MTS Access may require documentation of disability, such as a letter from a medical professional or eligibility for other services based on a determination of disability.
Visitors request eligibility by contacting MTS Access Eligibility:
Phone: 844-299-6326 (TTY/TTD7-1-1)
Fax: (844) 299-6369
Email: access@sdmts.com
Mail: MTS Access Eligibility Center, 100 16th St, San Diego, CA 92101
Upon receipt of a visitor’s request for eligibility or visitor eligibility documentation, if applicable, MTS Access staff will process within one (1) business day. The visitor will be notified by email or phone, as applicable. Only if an email address or phone number is not provided or if not valid/not working will determinations be mailed.
Visitor eligibility can be used for 21 days during any 365-day period. The visitor may be required to apply for eligibility if the visitor wishes to use the paratransit service beyond the 21 days within the same year.
If you have any questions you can contact the Eligibility Office by calling 844-299-6326 (TTY/TTD7-1-1), 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (PST).
Contact Us
Reservations
1-888-517-9627 or 1-800-921-9664
ADA Eligibility Certification
Tel: 1-844-299-6326
Email: access@sdmts.com
Fax: 844-299-6369
Customer Service
619-557-4555 | Contact Us
MTS Access Services
100 16th Street, San Diego, CA 92101-7490
ADA Complaints
For any complaints alleging discrimination based on disability, contact MTS Deputy General Counsel at:
1255 Imperial Avenue, Suite 1000
San Diego CA 92101
ADAComplaints@sdmts.com
(619) 557-4539.
MTS Accessible Services Advisory Committee (ASAC)
ASAC is comprised of a MTS Board of Directors representative, MTS fixed route and MTS Access passengers, and social service organizations. ASAC generally meets quarterly. The aim of ASAC is to provide feedback to MTS staff and/or the MTS Board of Directors on MTS’s services. For more information or a meeting schedule, please visit sdmts.com or call (619) 231-1466.