Accessible Transportation Requirements Under the ADA
U.S. Franchisees | The Services for Disabled Guests standard has been updated to provide additional detail and context around the accessible transportation requirements under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). These changes are meant to ensure that if a hotel provides guest transportation either directly or through third party, guests with disabilities have full and equal access (at no additional cost) to these transportation services.
The accessible transportation requirements under the ADA depend both on the vehicle type/size and type of operation. An overview of these requirements is as follows:
Vehicle Type
- High-capacity Vehicles are vehicles that seat 16 or more (including the driver)
- Low-capacity Vehicles are vehicles that seat fewer than 16 (including the driver)
Type of Operation
- Fixed Schedule is one that makes pre-determined stops on a specific schedule (e.g., airport shuttle service)
- On Demand is one that operates in response to guest requests within a designated service area or to pre-determined locations.
If a hotel has a high-capacity vehicle that operates on a fixed schedule, that vehicle must be accessible.
If a hotel has a high-capacity vehicle that operates on demand, or has low-capacity vehicles that operate on a fixed schedule, the hotel can either 1) provide its own accessible vehicle, or 2) arrange for equivalent service in an accessible vehicle from a third-party vendor.
Note: an accessible vehicle is one that has either a hydraulic lift or retractable access ramp, and has all the requirements set forth in the standard.
Please review the standard for the full Policy for Accessible Guest Transportation Services. Franchisees continue to be solely responsible for complying with the ADA’s requirements. Additional information is available through the ADA website or on MGS. Thank you for your assistance in ensuring your hotels are fully compliant with these requirements.
