Policies and Procedures
Transportation Accommodations
The Ram Van
The Ram Van is an accessible vehicle for transportation of URI students who have a permanent disability. The Ram Van provides transportation only on the Kingston Campus, and it is assigned as any other accommodation. The Ram Van is generally available only as a supplement to the extensive accessible transportation provided to all URI students faculty and staff by the Kingston Connection (http://www.uri.edu/parking/kingcon.html). As space and schedule allows, the Ram Van service may be extended to faculty, staff, and students with temporary injuries. The Ram Van rider schedule will not duplicate routes or rides already provided by the Kingston Connection, except on a case-by-case basis for persons with permanent conditions.
Eligibility: A URI student with a condition that requires accessible transportation may be eligible to ride the RamVan. All riders must provide documentation of current disability to the Office of Disability Services for Students. The diagnostic statement must be from a licensed physician or other appropriately qualified specialist. Disability Services for Students staff will discuss special circumstances and make referrals where necessary.
Temporary conditions: Students with temporary conditions, such as a sprained ankle, broken leg, etc., may as space allows use the Ram Van, if they have provided appropriate documentation. The Ram Van will not duplicate routes or rides already provided by the Kingston Connection
Availability: The Ram Van is available weekdays from 7:45 a.m. - 5 p.m., while classes are in session. After 5 p.m., the Pedestrian Assistance program through Parking Services is available (http://www.uri.edu/parking/callmapa.html).
Arranging Rides: All rides or changes to ride schedules require a minimum of 24 hours notice. Daily pickups are arranged by filling out a weekly schedule form in Disability Services for Students/Office of Student Life, Room 330 Memorial Union. Riders are asked to contact the office immediately if there are any changes to the schedule.
Unscheduled Rides: 24 hour advance notice is required for unscheduled rides; students who will need regular service on the Ram Van, are asked to follow the procedure for arranging rides (above). Students needing a one-time-only ride to their dorm from health services or other location are asked to use the University Kingston Connection. (http://www.uri.edu/parking/kingcon.html).
Pickup Rides: The Ram Van picks up passengers at designated accessible parking spaces, accessible areas of University buildings and in front of residence halls. When arranging a ride, riders are asked to confirm the exact location for pick up. Riders are asked to be at the designated pickup five minutes before the designated time to allow for pickup of multiple passengers.
Safety: RIDERS AND DRIVERS MUST WEAR SAFETY BELTS AT ALL TIMES DURING TRANSPORTATION. All seats in the Ram Van are equipped with safety belts. Wheelchairs must be locked in place and passengers using the wheelchairs must use the designated safety belt.
Parking
Permanent or Temporary Disability Parking Permit: Any person who possesses an official Disability Parking Placard from Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles or any other state, may park in any designated Accessible Parking space (indicated by the universal wheelchair symbol) on campus. Persons with a permanent Rhode Island (or other state) State Placard, who need access to designated spaces inside the restricted Quad Area will be issued electronic gate Key Card Passes by Parking Services (874-9281). All patrons must park in LEGALLY marked parking areas.
30-day Medical Parking Pass: Any student who has URI parking registration sticker and who has a temporary medical or physical condition that requires alternate parking privileges may contact Disability Services for Students (330 Memorial Union, 874-2098) to obtain a 30-day Medical Parking Pass. This permit allows students to temporarily park in staff spaces while they are applying for a temporary Accessible Parking Permit from the state. ONLY OFFICIAL STATE PERMITS ALLOW PARKING IN WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES. Students must complete an information application and must supply medical documentation of temporary disability that includes:
- a diagnostic statement of need AND,
- a determination of length of time for the permit.
Patrons must park in legally designated parking spaces, and must relinquish the temporary permit at the end of the designated time. 30-DAY TEMPORARY PERMITS MAY NOT BE RENEWED. Because of extremely limited parking on campus, students who live on campus are asked to use the Kingston Connection for transportation assistance (http://www.uri.edu/parking/kingcon.html).
