ADA & Accessibility
Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) is proud to serve everyone in our community, regardless of ability.
The Americans with Disabilities ActAssociation for Commuter Transportation More (ADASee Americans with Disabilities Act More) is a federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADASee Americans with Disabilities Act More prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, just as other civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADASee Americans with Disabilities Act More guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase goods and services, and participate in state and local government programs.
Title II, Subtitle B of the ADASee Americans with Disabilities Act More applies to public transit systems. These systems must provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from their services. To comply with this federal law, all of our buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, and the larger coaches have a “kneeling” feature at the front steps. All drivers are trained in the proper operation of the lift. Under normal operating circumstances, riders are expected to wheel themselves onto the lift without assistance from the driver.
Ben Franklin Transit is committed to ensuring accessible information and specific documents for people with disabilities. We strive to continually improve the user experience and apply the relevant accessibilityThe extent to which facilities accommodate persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users. More standards. Please contact Customer Service at 509.735.5100 with document requests or comments about accessible materials or formats.
Reasonable Modification for ADA
Ben Franklin Transit will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all agency programs, services, and activities. Exceptions would include a modification that:
- Causes a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
- Results in a fundamental alteration of the service.
- Is unnecessary in order for the individual with the disability to receive services.
- Results in an undue financial or administrative burden to the transit agency.
All requests for reasonable modifications and/or comments may be submitted by email, phone at 509.735.5100, or mail to Ben Franklin Transit, ADASee Americans with Disabilities Act More Eligibility Coordinator, 7019 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick, WA 99336.
Complaints
Ben Franklin Transit takes all complaints seriously and complies with all ADASee Americans with Disabilities Act More laws and policies. If you have a complaint about our accessibilityThe extent to which facilities accommodate persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users. More, please complete the following form and turn it in to one of our Customer Service offices.
Lifts
The lifts on Ben Franklin Transit buses and vans can accommodate any standard wheelchair, defined under the ADASee Americans with Disabilities Act More, that does not exceed 600 pounds, including the person. If possible, please allow the driver to properly restrain your wheelchair and yourself. If it is not possible to properly restrain your wheelchair and yourself, you may ride, but it will be at your own risk. Please call Customer Service if you need more information about accessible equipment.
Dial-A-Ride
Ben Franklin Transit also offers curb-to-curb transportation called Dial-A-RideA demand-responsive system providing door- to-door transportation to patrons who request service by telephone, either on an ad hoc or subscription basis. More. This public service provides specialized transportation compatible with BFT’s fixed-route busA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More service. It is a pre-scheduled service designed for people who are unable to get to the nearest bus stopA place where passengers can board or alight from the bus, usually identified by a sign. More or use a fixed-route busA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More due to a disability, either temporary or permanent. Based on the review of an application for Dial-A-RideA demand-responsive system providing door- to-door transportation to patrons who request service by telephone, either on an ad hoc or subscription basis. More service, you may receive curb-to-curb service, curb-to-fixed-route service, or fixed-route service only (with training).
For more information about Dial-A-RideA demand-responsive system providing door- to-door transportation to patrons who request service by telephone, either on an ad hoc or subscription basis. More, or if you have an Americans with Disabilities ActAssociation for Commuter Transportation More (ADASee Americans with Disabilities Act More) Grievance, please call 509.735.5100.