Jeanne Griffin1, David A Priddy. 1. Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 6501 N. Sheridan, Peoria, IL 61614, USA. jeg@ipmr.org
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of a rehabilitation-based assessment program designed to determine the eligibility, according to Americans With Disabilities Act criteria, of applicants for paratransit bus services. DESIGN: Retrospective summary statistics on 500 consecutive paratransit evaluations. SETTING: Outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Applicants for a community paratransit bus service. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical assessment of each applicants functional physical and cognitive ability to ride a fixed-route or paratransit bus system. RESULTS: Of the 500 applicants for specialized paratransit services, 38 (8%) were found to be ineligible, based on rehabilitation professionals evaluations of their physical and cognitive abilities. CONCLUSIONS: Mass transit organizations must adjust to the rapidly growing demand for paratransit services. Rehabilitation-based assessment programs, because of the expertise they provide in assessing functional abilities, are uniquely qualified to provide objective determinations of paratransit eligibility.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of a rehabilitation-based assessment program designed to determine the eligibility, according to Americans With Disabilities Act criteria, of applicants for paratransit bus services. DESIGN: Retrospective summary statistics on 500 consecutive paratransit evaluations. SETTING:Outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Applicants for a community paratransit bus service. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical assessment of each applicants functional physical and cognitive ability to ride a fixed-route or paratransit bus system. RESULTS: Of the 500 applicants for specialized paratransit services, 38 (8%) were found to be ineligible, based on rehabilitation professionals evaluations of their physical and cognitive abilities. CONCLUSIONS: Mass transit organizations must adjust to the rapidly growing demand for paratransit services. Rehabilitation-based assessment programs, because of the expertise they provide in assessing functional abilities, are uniquely qualified to provide objective determinations of paratransit eligibility.