Seattle Monorail

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Reasonable Accommodations Request and Notice of Nondiscrimination

Seattle Center Monorail Nondiscrimination Policy: Title VI

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Seattle Center operates the Seattle Center Monorail without regard to race, color, creed, sex, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and other protected groups. Service animals are welcome on the Seattle Center Monorail. To request additional information about non-discrimination policies related to the Seattle Center Monorail, or to obtain information about filing a discrimination complaint, please contact the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, (206) 684-4500.

Aviso en Contra de la Discriminación

El Seattle Center opera el Seattle Center Monorail sin distinción de raza, color,
credo, sexo, edad, discapacidad, origen nacional, orientación sexual, identidad de género, religión y otros grupos protegidos. Los animales de servicio son bienvenidos en el Seattle Center Monorail. Para solicitar información adicional acerca de las políticas de imparcialidad relacionadas con el Seattle Center Monorail, o para obtener información sobre cómo presentar una queja por discriminación, por favor póngase en contacto con el Seattle Office for Civil Rights, (206) 684-4500.

 

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal law since 1988, protects the interests of the disabled community, including those with physical, mental and temporary disabilities (i.e. broken leg with crutches).   Disabilities can also be defined as impaired physical & mental symptoms as a result of alcohol or drug dependency.    The Seattle Monorail is ADA compliant in regards to federal regulations, based on our discount fare category for disabled & Medicare card holders.  ID cards are issued by King County Metro locally and by Social Security Administration/Medicare at the Federal level.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Monorail employees are required to provide equal service to the disabled community, which is defined as courteous, attentive and informative customer service, with no reduced or judgmental treatment to any disabled passenger, in any fashion, at any time.  The law is strictly enforced, and all employees must comply with its guidelines in the spirit of hospitality at all times.

Further, the Seattle Center boarding platform has an ADA compliant boarding gate (yellow paint, at far east end of platform) for ease of boarding for patrons confined to a wheelchair.   Additionally, riders with large strollers should be directed to this gate for ease of boarding.   Onboard the trains, two official wheelchair positions are provided (seats have been removed), however, there is room for many more on each train departure.   ADA compliant signs mark the Wheelchair positions on both trains.

Service Animals

SMS accepts all service animals as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Service animals are not limited to dogs, and may also include cats, birds, snakes, or any animal the disabled person determines is of assistance in providing comfort and/or guidance.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests

It is the City of Seattle and the Seattle Monorail’s policy to make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, or procedures when requested to do so by individuals with disabilities. Requests for accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Make a request by calling (206) 905-2600.

Alojamiento Razonable

Es la política de la Ciudad de Seattle y el Seattle Monorail que se crean cambios razonables a costumbres, prácticas, y métodos cuando sean solicitados por individuales con discapacidades. Se consideran las solicitudes para acomodaciones individualmente. Para entregar una solicitud, llama al número (206) 905-2600.

POLICY ON REASONABLE MODIFICATION/ACCOMMODATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

It is the City of Seattle and the Seattle Monorail’s policy to make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices, or procedures when requested to do so by individuals with disabilities when such accommodations are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability. Requests for accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be denied on one or more of the following grounds:

  • Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of Seattle Monorail’s service, programs, or activities;
  • Granting the request could create a direct threat to the health or safety of the requestor or others;
  • Granting the request would create an undue financial or administrative burden for the Agency; or
  • Without such modification, the individual with a disability is otherwise able to fully use Seattle Monorail’s services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose.

In determining whether to grant a requested modification, Seattle Monorail will be guided by the provisions of United States Department of Transportation at 49 CFR Appendix E to Part 37.169.

When choosing among alternatives for accommodations, Seattle Monorail will give priority to those methods that offer services, programs and activities to qualified individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate for the needs of the individual(s) with disabilities.  In any case in which Seattle Monorail denies a request for an accommodation, Seattle Monorail will attempt to ensure that the individual with a disability receives the services or benefits provided by Seattle Monorail by other means that comport with this policy.

PROCESS FOR REQUESTING MODIFICATIONS/ACCOMMODATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Requests for modifications of the City of Seattle Monorail’s policies, practices, or procedures to accommodate an individual with a disability may be made either in advance or at the time of the transportation service.  Seattle Monorail is best able to address and accommodate a request when customers make their requests for modifications in advance.  The process for making a request is as follows:

Advance Requests:

When making a request, please thoroughly describe what is needed in order for you to use the service, and why this assistance is necessary.

Whenever feasible, a request for modification to Seattle Monorail’s service should be made in advance before Seattle Monorail is expected to provide the service.  Seattle Monorail will review your request, and will make every effort to communicate in advance whether or not the requested modification can be made.

If the modification is not made, Seattle Monorail will provide the reason for the denial of the request. Requests may be denied on one or more of the following grounds:

  • Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of Seattle Monorail’s service, programs, or activities;
  • Granting the request could create a direct threat to the health or safety of the requestor or others;
  • Granting the request would create an undue financial or administrative burden for the Agency; or
  • Without such modification, the individual with a disability is otherwise able to fully use Seattle Monorail’s services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose.

Requests may be made by calling:

  • Call (206) 905-2600

Same Day Requests:

When a request for modification cannot practicably be made and determined in advance, you may make a request on the same day, at the time of, or during service.

  • You should make your request to the operator
  • Please describe in detail what accommodation you require and why it is necessary in order to use the service.

Operators may grant a request if such request is reasonable and meets the requirements of the Agency’s policy.

If an Operator is unsure if the request can be granted or declined, she/he is required to consult with his or her supervisor to receive direction.

Requests may be denied on the following grounds:

  • Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of Seattle Monorail’s service, programs, or activities;
  • Granting the request could create a direct threat to the health or safety of the requestor or others;
  • Granting the request would create an undue financial or administrative burden for the Agency; or
  • Without such modification, the individual with a disability is otherwise able to fully use Seattle Monorail’s services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose

Operator availability may be very limited when providing service and if the request would require extended consideration, we may not be able to grant your request immediately, and you may be encouraged to submit a written request for further consideration in future trips.

Seattle Monorail’s ability to grant the requested modifications may vary by day of travel, time of day, or other circumstances.  For example, while a request may be able to be granted in one instance, that same request may be denied in another instance if granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of the service or create a safety threat, or if the request is not a functional necessity.

In the case of a denial of a request, Seattle Monorail will take, to the maximum extent possible and in compliance with its policies, any other appropriate actions to ensure you receive service.

Complaint Process and Contact Information:  All complaints will be handled in accordance with the City of Seattle’s Title VI and Discrimination Complaint Process found at  http://www.seattle.gov/civilrights/file-complaint.  Seattle Monorail will make every effort to make a prompt and equitable resolution of any complaint.  The Agency’s response to any Title VI complaint will be in writing and will include the Agency’s decision and the reason(s) therefore.