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Paratransit Eligibility Process

Understanding the eligibility process

General Information  |  How to Apply  |  Questions & Answers

What is DART Paratransit Services?

DART Paratransit Services provides curb-to-curb public transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to use DART's bus or rail services. Paratransit Services also offers free travel training, and a travel ambassador program, to ADA paratransit eligible individuals who have the ability to use bus or rail services.

Paratransit services are available in the DART member cities of Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, University Park, Plano and DFW International Airport.

Who is Eligible?

Persons who cannot independently use DART's bus or rail because of a physical, cognitive, or visual disability.

Paratransit Eligibility Criteria
DART follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 eligibility standards for paratransit services. People with disabilities in the following categories are eligible to receive paratransit services.

  • Category I
    Applicants who cannot independently use DART bus or rail service, even with training.

  • Category II
    Applicants who can use or learn to use an accessible public transit system, but the system is not fully accessible.

  • Category III
    Applicants who have a specific impairment that prevents them from getting to or from a bus stop or rail station.

    • How To Apply For Paratransit Services

    Applicants must follow these steps to be considered for Paratransit Services:

    Step 1
    Complete a Paratransit Certification form.
    Contact DART at 214-515-PARA (7272) to request a Paratransit Certification form or select the appropriate form(s) from the list below:

  • DART ADA Paratransit Eligibility Certification Form
        (124KB PDF File)

  • DART ADA Paratransit Eligibility Certification Form (for a visual disability)
        (356KB PDF File)

  • DART ADA Paratransit Eligibility Re-Certification Form
        (51KB PDF File)

  • DART ADA Paratransit Eligibility Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder Inquiry
        (This form must be submitted only as a supplement to any Eligibility
        Certification Form. 39KB PDF File)

    • NOTE: PDF files can be viewed using Adobe's free Acrobat Reader.

    Step 2
    Obtain a written verification of your disability from a physician.

  • Physician Verification of Disability Form (57KB PDF File)

  • Physician Verification of Disability Form (for visual impairments)
        (36KB PDF File)

  • Cognitive or Intellectual Verification of Disability Form (80KB PDF File)


    • Step 3
    Return form and verification documents to Paratransit Services. You may complete the form online and then print for mailing or faxing or save it on your computer to send it as an email attachment. Upon receipt, a representative will contact you to schedule an in-person eligibility determination assessment.

    You can return your form and verification documents one of three ways:

    — Mail form and verification documents to:

    DART Paratransit Services
    P.O. Box 660163
    Dallas, TX 75266-7271

    — or fax form and verification documents to:

    214-828-6642

    — or email saved form and verification documents to:

    [email protected]

    Step 4
    Complete in-person paratransit eligibility assessment by an Eligibility and Training Specialist.

    *Failure to complete any of the above steps prevents DART from considering your application for Paratransit Services.

    Eligibility Case Review

    The results of your assessment are reviewed by DART to determine if you are eligible for Paratransit Services.

  • Becoming ADA Eligible for Paratransit Services
    Applicants become ADA paratransit eligible on a "conditional" or "unconditional" basis.

  • Conditional Eligibility
    Customers with "conditional eligibility" will be able to use paratransit Services only for specified trips in which they meet ADA paratransit eligibility standards. This means, if you are able to use DART's bus or rail to complete a trip, you will not be eligible to use the paratransit services for that trip.

    • Paratransit Services offers free travel training to customers with "conditional eligibility." Through personalized instruction, customers learn to ride bus and rail services independently.

  • Unconditional Eligibility
    Customers with "unconditional eligibility" may use Paratransit Services exclusively.

  • Notification of Eligibility
    Applicants are notified within 21 days of their eligibility assessments.
    Note: If an eligibility determination can not be made within 21 days from the receipt of the application, the applicant will be granted presumptive eligibility.

  • Contesting an Eligibility Determination
    An appeal process is available to any person who is denied eligibility for Paratransit Services, or who disagrees with an eligibility decision.

    • How Do I Get Started?
    For more information about DART Paratransit Services, call 214-515-PARA (7272).

    Questions and Answers: The Eligibility Process

    DART Paratransit Services' requires all new applicants, and riders wishing to renew their certifications, to submit a paratransit certification form, then participate in an in-person assessment.

    Here are some answers to a few frequently asked questions to help you understand what to expect with the eligibility process.

    Question: I have a permanent disability. Why is DART asking me to submit to an "in-person" assessment to determine my eligibility to use Paratransit Services?
    Answer: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires DART to implement a process that strictly limits eligibility to individuals who clearly meet ADA eligibility standards. The new in-person assessment process will identify individuals' potentials rather than limitations in their ability to use accessible bus or rail transit.

    Question: How will the assessment work?
    Answer: You will be required to undergo a functional, cognitive or visual assessment as determined by your disability. The results, coupled with your travel habits, will determine the best way to serve your transportation needs.

    Question: Who will conduct the assessment?
    Answer: The assessment will be conducted by an Eligibility and Training Specialist.

    Question: What will the assessment cost me?
    Answer: There is no charge to you for the assessment.

    Question: Where will I have to go for the assessment?
    Answer: The assessment will be conducted at a facility that is centrally located within DART's Service Area.

    Question: What will happen when I get there?
    Answer: A brief interview will be conducted by DART staff to review your application, your photo will be taken, and then an eligibility determination assessment will be conducted by an Eligibility and Training Specialist at the same location.

    Question: What happens after the assessment?
    Answer: The results of your assessment will go through an internal review process and within 21 days, you will be notified of your eligibility status.

    Question: What happens if I am not eligible for Paratransit Services?
    Answer: An appeal process is available to any applicant who is denied eligibility.

    Question: What happens if I am eligible for paratransit service for some, but not all, of my trips?
    Answer: You can use DART's bus and rail services or find alternate transportation for those non-ADA eligible trips. Paratransit Services provides travel training to teach you how to use DART's bus and rail services for those non-ADA eligible trips.

    Question: What can I do if I disagree, as a result of the eligibility process, with having access to Paratransit Services for some of my trips and not for others.
    Answer: An appeal process is available for any eligible individual who does not agree with any conditions of eligibility.

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