Capital District 

Coalition for Accessible Transportation

(A Grassroots Disability Coalition located  in Albany, New York's  Capital Region)

Members of: 

The Council for Community Service of NYS, (CCSNYS)

The National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates, (NAPTA)

Americans for Transportation Mobility, (ATM)

WE ARE NOT OWNED, MANAGED, OPERATED OR AFFILIATED WITH CDTA OR STAR PARATRANSIT.

    STAR  Application Information!

Updated:  November 12, 2008

This page is in the process of being updated and organized.  We are leaving this information meanwhile so that you can still get the current information if you are applying for STAR.

The new STAR Application Process - made easy!

STAR created a new  much more draconian application process as of April 2008.  The form was completely revised from what the Coalition worked out with CDTA (We with CDTA created a rather short and to the point form.)

CDTA did not consult with disability organizations, including the Independent Living Centers, or their own Disabled Advisory Committee (our CEO is on this committee and nothing was discussed about this.) or with the Coalition.  We consider the changes made severe and an effort to discourage people from applying, much less using STAR.  

STAR went from a simple application with a verification form to be given to one's medical professional to a much more complicated process that includes a application with repeated and trick questions that is intended to rule out applicants.  As if this is not enough, there is now an in person evaluation required with a company called IMA that does such things as employee drug testing, workmans comp claims and disability claims.  This company is looking out for CDTA's interest, not the applicant's although they mostly seem to present a friendly atmosphere.  They are NOT as CDTA claims, an independent company but are using questions given to them by CDTA as well as being paid by CDTA.  Their intent is spelled out in their contract with CDTA and that is to reduce the number of people that receive STAR and to strictly limit customers that do receive STAR to the maximum degree allowed by the American's with Disability Act's regulations.

This said, when we asked why this massive change was done, we were told by Ray Melleady, Executive Director for CDTA that it was because people complained so much about arbitrary decisions.  We were told that this would change this.  

1.  CDTA was told by the Office of Civil Rights  at the Paratransit Compliance review in 2005 that many STAR application decisions seemed arbitrary.  This was not only customers with this complaint, the Office of Civil Rights agreed

2.  The only thing accomplished by the in person evaluation is an expensive medical visit for very little time.  There is no way that these techs and doctors know as much about the applicant than their own doctor would.  In addition, the same person who made arbitrary decisions before is STILL making the final decisions and still making many of them in an arbitrary way which includes little observations tacked onto files when it's noticed that someone stood up for 5 seconds or someone "doesn't look" as disabled as they "should".  Yes, we've seen these odd little comments on folders when we've done appeals for these arbitrary decisions.

This wasn't just background info or even a rant.  You need to know that STAR wants to limit their paratransit service as much as legally possible and that this application and evaluation is there to RULE OUT people who will then be told that they must use the regular bus.

Next:

What are your rights in regards to this application and evaluation?

You have the right to refuse any information you believe is not needed for a paratransit (STAR Bus) evaluation.  We suggest you provide an answer for all  questions in the application- even if it is to say Not Applicable or put a line in the space or the application could be returned to you because it wasn't "complete".

1.  You do not have to list if someone assisted you.  The application is to determine if your disability and mobility level meets the federal regulations to certify you as paratransit eligible.  All else is just CDTA being nosey.

You may want to put the person who assisted you down if you have a vision disability or other disability where you want this person to be notified of any questions as well as if you are denied or approved.

2.  Once you send in your application, CDTA will contact you within a week or so to schedule your  STAR in person evaluation with a company named IMA.  You have the right to pick a reasonable day and time for this appointment, including after hours if needed (if you work for instance).  If your doctor says that your condition requires an in home evaluation, you have a right to receive this as well - but only if absolutely necessary.  Do not just take a time you are slammed with.  CDTA schedules these appointments at IMA's convenience unless the customer speaks up.  So long as you are reasonable, CDTA needs to make these appointments when it is convenient for you.

3.  You have the right to bring a disability or transportation advocate to the IMA evaluation appointment.  You have the right to bring anyone at all to the evaluation appointment.  You do not have to tell STAR you are bringing someone to the appointment with you.  You should though tell a scheduler so they can make sure that they leave room for your friend or advocate.  All STAR should be told is that someone is coming with you.  They don't need to know who or why, it isn't any of their business and it is your right to bring someone anywhere you go, including medical evaluations.

4.  You should not pay for the trip to the IMA in person evaluation or the return trip home.  This is part of CDTA's application process and they are responsible for these expenses.  If the driver insists you pay, do so and call us later and we can get your money back for you or a credit for your next trip.

5.  You should not be forced into any other evaluations (cognitive, psychiatric or other without your consent.  You can refuse other types of evaluations that you feel are unnecessary but remember that STAR will make decisions on the information they receive.  If you do refuse an assessment make sure you know that it is actually not needed.  

For instance, someone can't force a psychiatric evaluation  on you just because they personally think you have psychiatric issues or because you made STAR complaints in the past.  If this should happen, call us immediately please.  Do not allow the psychiatric evaluation to even be scheduled by STAR, even if you are told that it can be cancelled later when you go to IMA. 

If you are EVER told that STAR is scheduling you for a psychiatric evaluation because you are blind and that everyone blind is scheduled for this, decline the evaluation as it is discriminatory to select a particular disability and force additional evaluations on this certain group of applicants.

Psychiatric evaluations are only for people that state their reason for using STAR is a mental health disability.  If your answers on your STAR application imply fear about using a regular bus instead of an INABILITY to use a regular bus, STAR may try to suggest a psychiatric evaluation.  Make sure STAR knows your reason is physical only if that is what it is.

6.  If you weigh over 600lbs and do not use a mobility device.  You will most likely be able to use the lift or the stairs on STAR.  They do not have to let you use the lift even though the lifts go to 800lbs.  Transportation regulations state that they only have to allow someone up to 600lbs the ability to use the lift.  (The office of civil rights though would frown heavily at a company that has lifts that go to 800lbs and had a problem with someone 605lbs being told that they can't use the lift.)

7.  If your wheelchair and you combined weigh over 600lbs.

You still can ride STAR and you do not need a lighter chair.  STAR may allow you to use the lift so long as you are under 800lbs.  

The IMA in person evaluation

1.  Make sure to bring a couple of copies of your STAR application and any other medical information you wish to bring with you.

2. You have a right to ask someone to send down  a wheelchair if you can't walk from where STAR drops you off downstairs to the upstairs IMA offices.  This is the same in any accessible medical office.

* Note - You should know that if you can walk from where STAR lets you off the bus to the 2nd floor where IMA is located that one of the questions will be about how you walked that distance.  Consider everything a "test" of how you walk and your level of mobility.

Tips for those applying for STAR:

1. Make sure you receive both the application and verification forms.

2. Make sure you completely fill out the application form. Don't leave blank spaces, put a line in them if needed.

3. Make sure you fully answer questions. Some questions can have multiple answers.  Don't just list your medical diagnoses or disabilities, write in how the disability affects your ability to get to or use the fixed route bus system safely.

4. I know this sounds silly, but don't forget to sign the form. There are two places to sign the application form.

5. It's better to bring the verification form to your physician (or other health care provider)  and have them fill it out while you are there.

  Make sure the health care provider fills in with answers that show how your disability affects your mobility.

Your health care provider shouldn't just list your conditions or diagnoses. They should say how the conditions impact your mobility.

6. Ask your Doctor if they can make a copy of all the forms for you  while you are there. If not, copy all forms if possible before mailing in.

7. It's best to mail both your application and the verification form in together in the same envelope, certified mail, return receipt requested. This will prove the date STAR received it and who signed for the application should this be needed. 

If you can't do this, bring or have someone bring the forms to STAR and get a signature on a piece of paper of the date and who received them. 

8. We make bets you get your answer within the 21 days if you send the forms in with proof of the date. If not, and STAR won't let you ride the bus on day 22, you have proof  that CDTA violated the ADA regulations on processing applications. Call us. We'll be happy to help and it probably won't take more than a phone call.

9. If you are not approved or if you are approved but with limitations that you believe you shouldn't have: 

Call us. CDCAT assists with STAR appeals for free. 

Don't GIVE UP.

If you are disabled and require STAR, and your medical professional agrees with this, We'll get the denial overturned.

It's really too bad that people have to struggle with something THIS SIMPLE though, isn't it?   We have both Application and Verification forms if anyone needs them. You can also get them from CDTA's website or our forms page on this website.  

 Independent Living Centers should also have these, as do The Center for the Disabled's Service Coordinators.  We leave some applications out at our public meetings as well and at the Albany Library. These forms are public information and also are available from this website.

             Who can fill out a STAR verification form?

Remember, CDTA has a number of health care professionals listed who can fill in this verification form, not just doctors.  Social workers, case coordinators, therapists, psychologists, physical therapists, LPN/RN, and Independent Living Specialists (at Independent Living Centers).  That isn't even a complete list, almost any health professional can fill them out.  Make use of them if your doctor seems to not understand why you need STAR or is too busy! Short answers won't get you approval for this service! The professional you give the verification form to must show how your disability limits your mobility to the point where you can't use the public transportation SYSTEM safely. 

Accessible Format for people with vision disabilities.

CDTA should be sending STAR recertification forms and deadlines in a format you can read! A simple letter that you require forms and correspondence sent to you in the future in braille, tape or large print is all it takes to get these things in the format you require.  If you need help with this, please feel free to call the Coalition at (518) 273-1110.  You must REQUEST this of CDTA, don't expect them to offer it, the 

ADA requires that if you REQUEST accessible format, it must be provided. The Coalition heavily suggests doing this in writing. A form for this will be posted in our forms section of this website to assist you with this. If you need assistance in filling out such a form, again, just call us, We'll be happy to fill it in for you if needed and send to you. All you'll have to do then is sign it and mail it to CDTA in the envelope we enclose for you.

Last Updated:  02/04/2010