All about LINK

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The County Connection LINK paratransit service is an Americans with Disablilities Act (ADA) paratransit service.   The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires all public transit operators to provide special service to persons whose disabilities prevent them from using lift-equipped public transit.   The special service, called “paratransit service,” operates at similar times and in similar areas as existing non-commute (off-peak), fixed-route transit.

Registration and Eligibility

In order to be eligible for County Connection LINK service, it must be determined that you are eligible for paratransit services under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  A person can be found to be ADA paratransit eligible for all or for some of their transit trips, based on the individual's specific condition(s).

To apply for ADA paratransit eligibility and County Connection LINK service, you may r come to the County Connection's Transportation Center at the Walnut Creek BART facility, 220 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, or call 676-7500 and have the application materials sent to you.

After receipt and review of your application, you may receive a telephone call for additional information, your application may be sent to the professional you have indicated on your application, and you may be asked to come to the County Connection offices for an in-person interview.

You will be notified by mail of your eligibility status within 21 days of receipt of your completed application. Please see the Eligibility Appeals Process on page 4. The guiding principle for ADA paratransit eligibility is the inability to independently use the fixed-route transit due to a disability or a health related condition.

Once you have been determined eligible for ADA paratransit services by County Connection LINK, you will also be eligible to use other ADA paratransit services throughout the Bay Area. For more information, please call 676-1976 ext. 601 or 608.

Please Note:  A photo ID certifying your ADA paratransit eligibility is not required when using the County Connection LINK services; however, it may be required when using paratransit services outside the San Francisco Bay Area.  If you will be traveling or you would like to obtain a discount on County Connection fixed-route buses, please visit our offices at the Walnut Creek BART station, 220 Ygnacio Valley Rd., Walnut Creek, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Staff will take your photo and an ID card will be mailed to you.

You will obtain a reduced fare on fixed-route buses by presenting: your ADA paratransit eligibility letter, your Documentation of ADA paratransit eligibility form (both of these items were mailed to you when you were certified), or your ADA paratransit eligibility ID card.

Eligibility Appeals Process

If you disagree with the conditions of your Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit eligibility, or if you have been denied paratransit eligibility, you have the right to appeal the decision.

To do so, you need to send a brief letter within 60 days of the decision, stating your reasons for the appeal to:  LINK Eligibility Appeals, The County Connection, 2477 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord, CA 94520.

Once we receive the letter, an appeals panel will be assembled to process your appeal.  The appeals board will render a final, written decision within 30 days.

The appeals panel consists of at least 3 persons, including one "peer" to the applicant (likely a volunteer representative from County Connection's Accessible Services Committee or the Contra Costa PCC), one applicable professional expert, and one staff member from the County Connection, NOT involved in the original review of your application.

The appeals process will include a meeting between you (or someone on your behalf) and the appeals board, and the possibility of an extensive functional and/or cognitive testing procedure.

You may bring anyone you wish along to the meeting to speak on your behalf. County Connection LINK will provide free transportation for you to and from the appeals meeting.  The County Connection will also provide any necessary aids that you request at the appeals meeting, if you request them at least one week in advance.

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