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VII. EXTERNAL DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
<br /> These discrimination complaint procedures outline the process used by Orange County Transportation Service
<br /> to process complaints of alleged discrimination filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related
<br /> nondiscrimination laws that are applicable to Orange County Transportation Service programs, services, and
<br /> activities. Complaints will be investigated by the appropriate authority. Upon completion of an investigation,
<br /> the complainant will be informed of all avenues of appeal. Every effort will be made to obtain early resolution
<br /> of complaints at the lowest level possible by informal means.
<br /> A. FILING OF COMPLAINTS
<br /> I. 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 /> II. 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 /> III. 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 /> • Orange County Transportation Service, Administration Office, 600 NC 86 N Hillsborough, NC 27278,
<br /> PO BOX 818 Hillsborough, NC 27278 ;919-245-2008
<br /> • North Carolina Department of Transportation, Office of Civil Rights, External Civil Rights Section,
<br /> 1511 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1511; 919-508-1830 or toll free 800-522-0453
<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 Bldg.
<br /> 51h Floor—TCR, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590
<br /> • US Department of Justice, Special Litigation Section, Civil Rights Division, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue,
<br /> NW, Washington, DC 20530, 202-514-6255 or toll free 877-218-5228
<br /> IV. 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 in
<br /> 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 /> Braille.
<br /> V. Discrimination Complaint Form — The Discrimination Complaint Form is consistent with the FTA
<br /> Certifications & Assurances, "Nondiscrimination Assurance."
<br /> VI. Complaint Basis — Allegations must be based on issues involving race, color, national origin, sex, age,
<br /> creed (religion) or disability. The term "basis" refers to the complainant's membership in a protected
<br /> group category.
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