The purpose of the reasonable modification policy is to ensure that Self Help Enterprises offers equal and effective opportunities and access to transportation services for persons with disabilities and full compliance with the provisions of the Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Self Help Enterprises is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in all programs, services and activities. Self Help Enterprises recognizes that in order to have equally effective opportunities and benefits, individuals with disabilities may need reasonable modifications to policies and procedures. Self Help Enterprises will adhere to all applicable federal and state laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable modifications, as necessary, to afford equal access to programs for persons with disabilities. Self Help Enterprises does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, participation in, or receipt of services and benefits under any transit program or activity. Self Help Enterprises will take appropriate steps to ensure that persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate.
No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of Self Help Enterprises or be subject to discrimination by Self Help Enterprises.
A reasonable modification is a change or exception to a policy, practice, or procedure that allows disabled individuals to have equal access to programs, services, and activities. Self Help Enterprises will make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures when necessary to ensure access to transit services for qualified individuals with disabilities, unless:
For the purposes of this section, the term reasonable accommodation shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the term ‘‘reasonable modifications’’ as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II regulations at 28 CFR 35.130(b)(7), and not as it is defined or interpreted for the purposes of employment discrimination under Title I of the ADA (42 U.S.C. 12111–12112) and its implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 1630.
An individual is eligible to be considered to receive a reasonable modification if that individual has: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; a record of such impairment; or been regarded as having such impairment.
Self Help Enterprises shall make information about how to contact Self Help Enterprises to make requests for reasonable modifications readily available to the public through its website and rider policy guidelines. Self Help Enterprises shall follow these procedures in taking requests:
Requests for accommodation may be made either orally or in writing. The reasonable accommodation process begins as soon as the request for accommodation is made.
The request can be submitted in any written format. Alternative means of filing a request, such as personal interviews, phone calls, or taped requests, will be made available for persons with disabilities if unable to communicate their request in writing or upon request.
When a request for accommodation is made, Self Help Enterprises and the individual requesting an accommodation must engage in a good faith interactive process to determine what, if any accommodation shall be provided. The individual and the Self Help Enterprises must communicate with each other about the request, the process for determining whether an accommodation will be provided, and the potential accommodations. Communication is a priority throughout the entire process.
Self Help Enterprises will process requests for reasonable accommodation and then provide accommodations, where appropriate, in as short a time frame as reasonably possible. Self Help Enterprises recognizes, however, that the time necessary to process a request will depend on the nature of the accommodation(s) requested and whether it is necessary to obtain supporting information.
As soon as Self Help Enterprises determines that a reasonable accommodation will be provided, that decision shall be immediately communicated to the individual. This notice must be in writing in order to maintain the required information for reporting purposes. Upon request, alternative means of response will be provided.
In choosing among alternatives for meeting nondiscrimination and accessibility requirements with respect to new, altered, or existing facilities, or designated or specified transportation services, Self Help Enterprises shall give priority to those methods that offer services, programs, and activities to qualified individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of individuals with disabilities.
As soon as Self Help Enterprises determines that a request for reasonable accommodation will be denied, Self Help Enterprises will communicate the basis for the decision in writing to the individual requesting the modification. The explanation for the denial will clearly state:
Self Help Enterprises has a process for investigating and tracking complaints from qualified individuals. These procedures shall be posted on the Self Help Enterprises’ website and will be provided to any individual where the Self Help Enterprises has denied a request for accommodation. The process and any forms necessary to file a complaint are readily available from the web. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews, phone calls, or taped requests, will be made available for persons with disabilities if unable to communicate their request in writing or upon request.
Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against in obtaining a reasonable modification may file a complaint by completing and submitting a Self Help Enterprises’ Reasonable Modification Complaint Form. Self Help Enterprises investigates complaints received no more than 30 days after receipt. Self Help Enterprises will process complaints that are complete. Once the complaint is received, the complainant will receive an acknowledgement of receipt. If more information is needed to resolve the complaint, Self Help Enterprises may contact the complainant. The complainant has 30 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to Self Help Enterprises.
If Self Help Enterprises is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 30 business days, the Self Help Enterprises may administratively close the complaint. In addition, a complaint may be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.
After Self Help Enterprises investigates the complaint, a decision will be rendered in writing to the complainant. Self Help Enterprises will issue either a Letter of Closure or Letter of Finding.
If the complainant disagrees with the decision of Self Help Enterprises, an opportunity to appeal the decision may be pursued provided the complaint files notice of appeal within 21 days of the initial decision of Self Help Enterprises.
In the event of appeal, the complainant will be granted all due process, including the ability to be present additional evidence, present the case in person during an appeal hearing, and to be represented by counsel.
Self Help Enterprises shall designate one official within the organization responsible for processing reasonable modification requests and handling complaints. This individual is:
Samantha Bushman
Transportation Coordinator
2300 W LeFevre
Sterling IL 61081
(815) 626-3115 Ext. 335
sbushman@self-helpagency.com
Self Help Enterprises will maintain all records related to reasonable modification requests and denials for at least three (3) years.
Approved by the Board of Directors, May 2025
Self Help Enterprises is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected under any program or activity on the basis of race, color, or national origin, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Self Help Enterprises ensures that it does not:
The Title VI Coordinator, appointed by Self Help Enterprises, is responsible for:
Individuals who believe they have been subjected to unlawful discrimination under Title VI may file a written complaint with Sam Bushman Title VI Coordinator at 815-626-3115.
Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action and should include:
Upon receipt, Self Help Enterprises will investigate complaints in accordance with its procedures and report findings within 30 days.
Self Help Enterprises will disseminate information about its Title VI policy through
Self Help Enterprises will maintain records related to Title VI compliance and submit reports as required by state and federal agencies.
Approved by the Board of Directors, June 2025
It is the goal of the Self Help Enterprises, through its transit services, to design, implement, and maintain a safe, efficient, effective, and accessible transportation system for persons with disabilities. Self Help Enterprises works to ensure nondiscriminatory transportation to enhance the social and economic quality of life for all people of the communities served by Self Help Enterprises.
It is the policy of Self Help Enterprises to abide by all provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended, and US Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations found at 49 CFR Parts 27, 37, and 38, as amended, including all programs, services, activities, operations and relationships with – and accommodations/modifications of – employees, client-customers, and the general public, including but not limited to those stated below.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires that individuals with disabilities receive the same level of service as non-disabled individuals. Services that are “separate but equal” are not acceptable.
Self Help Enterprises will keep federally funded equipment and facilities in good operating condition. Self Help Enterprises has policies and procedures to maintain vehicles. We will maintain, in operative condition, those features of facilities, vehicles, and other capital equipment that are required to make them accessible. ADA accessibility features will be repaired promptly if they are damaged or out of order. Self Help Enterprises has established a system of regular and frequent maintenance checks of lifts sufficient to determine if they are operative
As required by the ADA, Self Help Enterprises has a sufficient number of, or access to, wheelchair accessible vehicles in our fleet to ensure that individuals needing an accessible vehicle have equivalent access to our transportation services as ambulatory individuals.
As required by the ADA, the accessible features on our vehicles are maintained in operative condition so that individuals needing these features receive equivalent service to individuals not needing those features. Accessibility features are repaired promptly if they are damaged or out of order. Drivers are required to report lift and ramp failures promptly.
A wheelchair is a mobility aid belonging to any class of three- or more-wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed or modified for, and used by individuals with mobility impairments, whether operated manually or powered. Self Help Enterprises will transport passengers with wheelchairs, even in circumstances when the wheelchair cannot be secured to the driver’s satisfaction, unless the wheelchair exceeds the size or weight capacity of the wheelchair lift or ramp.
As required by the ADA, Self Help Enterprises provides adequate time for boarding and disembarking our vehicles for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, Self Help Enterprises permits individuals with disabilities who do not use wheelchairs, including standees, to use a vehicle’s lift or ramp to board and/or disembark the vehicle.
As required by the ADA, individuals using our transportation service may bring a respirator, portable oxygen equipment, and/or other life support equipment on board our vehicles, as long as they do not violate the law or rules relating to the transportation of hazardous materials. All equipment must be small enough to fit into our vehicles safely and without obstructing the aisle and/or blocking emergency exits. Passengers (with the assistance of the driver) must secure the equipment by means such as carrying the equipment using a shoulder strap or securing the equipment to a wheelchair or a seat.
As required by the ADA, any guide dog, signal dogs, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision or alerting individuals with impaired hearing, have access to our vehicles. All service animals must be kept under the control of their owner at all times and abide by local animal safety regulations.
Self Help Enterprises will not charge a fee for Personal Care Attendants to ride along with a passenger.
As required by the ADA, Self Help Enterprises trains its personnel to operate vehicles and equipment safely, assist passengers properly, and treat individuals with disabilities who use the service in a respectful and courteous way.
As required by the ADA, Self Help Enterprises personnel make use of all available accessibility equipment when needed and provide a reasonable level of assistance to passengers as necessary and upon request with lifts, ramps, and securement devices.
Discrimination related customer service complaints, including those associated with ADA regulations, are reported to a DOT Civil Rights Office and complaint documentation is maintained on file for one year. ADA related service complaint logs are kept on file for five years, per US DOT regulations. For a complete description of Self Help Enterprises’ response to these complaints, refer to ADA COMPLAINT PROCEDURES Self Help Enterprises’ contact for ADA complaints is:
Self Help Enterprises
ATTN: Executive Director
2300 W LeFevre Rd
Sterling Il. 61081
815-626-3115
