A person is eligible for OCTA ACCESS service if they are unable to board or exit a fixed-route bus, get to or from a bus stop due to physical and/or environmental barriers, or does not understand how to ride the bus. Eligibility is based on a person's functional abilities and limitations due to a disability, not a specific diagnosis or disability.
OCTA has a formal certification process that follows ADA guidelines. To request an application, please call the ACCESS Eligibility Office at (714) 560-5956 or download the application from our website.
What determines your eligibility?
ACCESS was created in response to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). OCTA offers this service for individuals who are physically and/or mentally disabled and cannot use the regular, fixed-route bus system. Eligibility is determined by 3 factors:
- Individual's ability to get to/from the bus stop
- Individual's ability to board/exit the bus
- Individual's cognitive ability to navigate the regular bus system.
Operational issues are not considered in the eligibility process. These are issues that affect any individual, whether or not they suffer from a disability. The individual’s disability(ies) and how it affects their functional ability to use regular bus service are the only criteria used in determining eligibility. Operational issues that are not used to determine eligibility, include:
- Age
- Distance to a bus stop
- Lack of bus service to an area
- Overcrowded buses
- Weather conditions
- Trip distance and comparable travel time on fixed route
The Certification Process
The certification process starts with a completed application, followed by an in-person functional assessment. Individuals are notified by mail regarding eligibility. If you are eligible, an ACCESS identification number will be included with the notification letter, along with a Rider's Guide describing ACCESS services and how to use them.
ACCESS eligibility may be valid for up to 5 years. At the expiration of your eligibility, you must be recertified.
How to apply for ACCESS Service
Download and print the ACCESS Application Form. Once you have completed this application, call the OCTA ACCESS eligibility contractor to schedule your in-person assessment. They can be reached at 714-560-5956, extension 2 or TDD at 714-560-5474. Remember, you must bring a valid identification and your completed ADA Paratransit application to your in-person assessment appointment. Please, do not mail in the application – you must make an appointment for an in-person assessment.
A copy of the Application for ADA Eligibility is available as a PDF, downloadable file. In order to view the application and print it out, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is available, as a free download, here.