[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55736-55737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24427]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Docket No. FTA-2003-16197]


Notice of Request for the Extension of Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration 
(FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend 
the following currently approved information collection: Americans with 
Disabilities Act

DATES: Comments must be submitted before November 25, 2003.

ADDRESSES: All written comments must refer to the docket number that 
appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the United 
States

[[Page 55737]]

Department of Transportation, Central Dockets Office, PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. All comments received will 
be available for examination at the above address from 10 a.m. to 5 
p.m., et., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Those 
desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard/envelope.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Americans with Disabilities Act--Akira 
Sano, Office of Civil Rights, (202) 366-4018.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to send 
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, 
including: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection 
for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to 
minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the 
collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of 
this information collection.

Title: Americans with Disabilities Act (OMB Number: 2132-0555)

    Background: On July 26, 1990, the President signed into law civil 
rights legislation entitled, ``The Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990'' (ADA) (Pub. L. 101-336). It contains sweeping changes for 
individuals with disabilities in every major area of American life. One 
key area of the legislation addresses transportation services provided 
by public and private entities. Some of the requirements under the ADA 
are: (1) No transportation entity shall discriminate against an 
individual with a disability in connection with the provision of 
transportation service; (2) All new vehicles purchased by public and 
private entities after August 25, 1990, must be readily accessible to 
and usable by persons with disabilities, including individuals who use 
wheelchairs; (3) Public entities that provide fixed route transit must 
provide complementary paratransit service for persons with 
disabilities, who are unable to use the fixed route system, that is 
comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without 
disabilities; and (4) Transit authorities who are able to substantiate 
that compliance with all service criteria of the paratransit provisions 
would cause undue financial burden, may request a temporary time 
extension in implementing ADA complementary paratransit service.
    On September 6, 1991, DOT issued a final rule implementing the 
transportation provisions of ADA (Title 49 CFR parts 27, 37 and 38), 
which includes the requirements for complementary paratransit service 
by public entities operating a fixed route system and the provision of 
nondiscriminatory accessible transportation service. The regulation 
sets forth the changes needed to fulfill the Congressional mandate to 
substantially improve access to mass transit service for persons with 
disabilities. Effective January 26, 1997, paratransit plans are no 
longer required. However, if FTA reasonably believes that an entity may 
not be complying with all service criteria, FTA may require an annual 
update to the entity's plan. In addition, all other ADA compliance 
requirements must still be satisfied. The information collected 
provides FTA with a basis for monitoring compliance. The public 
entities, including recipients of FTA funds, are required to provide 
information during triennial reviews, complaint investigations, 
resolutions of complaints, and compliance reviews.
    Respondents: State and local government, business or other for-
profit institutions, non-profit institutions, and small business 
organizations.
    Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: 100 hours for 50 
respondents and 50 hours for 700 recipients.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 40,000 hours.
    Frequency: Annual.

    Issued: September 9, 2003.
Rita L. Wells
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-24427 Filed 9-25-03; 8:45 am]
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