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<br /> VII. EXTERNAL DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
<br /> These discrimination complaint procedures outline the process used by OCTS to process complaints of
<br /> alleged discrimination filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related nondiscrimination
<br /> laws that are applicable to OCTS programs, services, and activities. Complaints will be investigated by
<br /> the appropriate authority. Upon completion of an investigation, the complainant will be informed of all
<br /> avenues of appeal. Every effort will be made to obtain early resolution of complaints at the lowest level
<br /> possible by informal means.
<br /> Filing of Complaints
<br /> 1. Applicability—These procedures apply to the beneficiaries of our programs, activities, and services,
<br /> such as the members of the public and any consultants/contractors we hire.
<br /> 2. Eligibility — Any person or class of persons who believes that he/she has been subjected to
<br /> discrimination or retaliation prohibited by any of the Civil Rights authorities based upon race, color,
<br /> sex, age, national origin, creed (religion) or disability, may file a written complaint. The law prohibits
<br /> intimidation or retaliation of any sort. The complaint may be filed by the affected individual or a
<br /> representative and must be in writing.
<br /> 3. Time Limits and Filing Options—A complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days after the
<br /> following:
<br /> ➢ The date of the alleged act of discrimination; or
<br /> ➢ The date when the person(s) became aware of the alleged discrimination; or
<br /> ➢ Where there has been a continuing course of conduct, the date on which that conduct was
<br /> discontinued or the latest instance of the conduct.
<br /> Complaints may be submitted to the following entities:
<br /> ➢ OCTS, Administration Office, 600 NC 86 N Hillsborough, NC 27278, PO BOX 818 Hillsborough, NC
<br /> 27278 ;919-245-2008
<br /> ➢ North Carolina Department of Transportation, Office of Civil Rights, External Civil Rights
<br /> Section, 1511 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1511; 919-508-1830 or toll free 800-522-
<br /> 0453
<br /> ➢ US Department of Transportation, Departmental Office of Civil Rights, External Civil Rights
<br /> Programs Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590; 202-366-4070
<br /> ➢ Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, ATTN:Title VI Program Coordinator, East
<br /> Bldg. 5t" Floor—TCR, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590
<br /> ➢ US Department of Justice, Special Litigation Section, Civil Rights Division, 950 Pennsylvania
<br /> Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530, 202-514-6255 or toll free 877-218-5228
<br /> 4. Format for Complaints — Complaints shall be in writing and signed by the complainant(s) or a
<br /> representative and include the complainant's name, address, and telephone number. Complaints
<br /> received by fax or e-mail will be acknowledged and processed. Allegations received by telephone or
<br /> in person will be reduced to writing, may be recorded and will be provided to the complainant for
<br /> confirmation or revision before processing. Complaints will be accepted in other languages, including
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