What the H4 is for
The H4 gives the handyDART office information about the applicant’s physical or cognitive ability to use regular bus service. The applicant fills in a separate handyDART application. The H4 adds a practitioner’s view of what they can and can’t manage on a bus trip. It applies in BC Transit communities. Metro Vancouver’s HandyDART is run by TransLink with its own form.
Who completes it
A qualified health care or social services practitioner who knows the applicant’s mobility completes and signs every part. The applicant ticks the privacy acknowledgement and their name goes at the top. They complete the separate application form, not any part of the H4.
How to fill in the H4
Disability conditions and areas affected
Name the conditions that prevent bus use. Tick the areas affected, including walking and mobility, endurance, vision, memory, perception, behaviour, cognition and personal safety, and say whether each is permanent or temporary and for how long. Explain in plain functional terms.
Low floor buses and when the bus works
Say whether the condition prevents, as opposed to makes difficult, use of low floor buses: yes, no or sometimes. Then describe when the applicant can use the bus. The form separates “prevents” from “makes difficult” on purpose, so choose carefully and explain.
What the applicant can do
The checklist covers decision-making, communication, reading and understanding, recognizing landmarks, telling time, problem solving, crossing the street, detecting curbs, seeing at night, steps, walking one to three blocks, waiting at a stop, planning a trip, boarding, standing, and sitting or rising. Tick what applies and use the explanation box for the limits that decide whether the bus is possible.
Attendant and supervision
Say whether the applicant needs a mandatory attendant for behavioural or medical reasons, and whether they can be left alone at their destination and at home.
Assessment and sign-off
Say whether you did an assessment or examination to decide functional ability. Add your name, signature, date, phone, relationship to the applicant, professional qualifications and how long you or your agency have been involved.
Common reasons it’s returned
- A diagnosis with no description of ability or inability to use the bus.
- Parts left blank. The form says all parts must be completed and signed.
- “Prevents” and “makes difficult” not distinguished for low floor buses.
- No practitioner qualifications or relationship to the applicant.
Submitting and who pays
The H4 goes to the local handyDART office with the applicant’s application, by the address on that community’s form. The applicant pays any fee for completing it.