|
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 - 36 & 4070
<br /> ➢ Federal Transit Administration , Office of Civil Rights, ATTN : Title VI Program Coordinator, East
<br /> Bldg . 5th 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 - 21 & 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
<br /> 14 � Page
<br />
|