Title VI

The objectives of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Title VI program, as set forth in FTA Circular 4702.1B are:

• To ensure that FTA-assisted benefits and related services are made available and provided without regard to race, color, or national origin.
• To ensure that the level and quality of FTA-assisted transit services are sufficient to provide access and mobility for any person without regard to race, color, or national origin.
• To ensure that opportunities to participate in the transit planning and decision-making process are provided to persons without regard to race, color, or national origin.
• To ensure that decisions on the location of transit services and facilities are made without regard to race, color, or national origin; and
• To ensure that corrective and remedial action is taken by all applicants and recipients of FTA assistance to prevent discriminatory treatment of any beneficiary based on race, color, or national origin.

The purpose of Broward County Transportation Department’s Title VI program is to establish and implement procedures that comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, the Americans with Disabilities Acts of 1990 (ADA), as well as other related statutes and regulations.

It is the policy of Broward County that no person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any FTA-assisted transit program, services or activity administered by Broward County Transportation Department (commonly known as Broward County Transit or "BCT") because of race, color, or national origin.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

A.    Filing of Title VI Complaints of Discrimination

1. Any person who feels that they have been subjected to race, color, or national origin discrimination (under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended) in the provision of transit programs and services by the Broward County Transit Division (BCT), may file a Title VI complaint with BCT. The deadline to file a complaint should be no later than 180 calendar days after the alleged discrimination occurred.
2. Complaints can be made in writing or by telephone and must include the complainant(s) name, address, telephone number, and may include any available evidence to support the claim of discrimination. Allegations of discrimination will be acknowledged and processed by the Title VI Program Coordinator. Allegations received by telephone will be documented in writing and provided to the complainant(s) for review before processing. The complainant may call (954) 357-8481, TTY (954) 357-8302, or Florida Telecommunications Relay’s 711 to obtain a paper complaint form.

Complaint of Title VI Discrimination Form

Once completed the form must be submitted to: BCTD_TitleVIComplaints@broward.org.

Complaint forms must be submitted to:

Broward County Transportation Department
Title VI Program Coordinator
1 North University Drive, Suite 3100A Plantation, FL 33324
Email: BCTD_TitleVIComplaints@broward.org
 
B.    Complaint Investigation

1. Upon receipt of a Title VI complaint, Broward County Transit’s Title VI Program Coordinator will, within five (5) working days, provide the complainant or their representative with a written acknowledgement of the complaint.
2. BCT will conduct a preliminary inquiry into the complaint to determine whether the complaint has sufficient merit to warrant an investigation. If a complaint is found to have sufficient merit to warrant investigation, BCT’s Title VI Coordinator will proceed with an investigation. If the complaint does not warrant investigation, BCT’s Title VI Coordinator will then respond within thirty (30) working days to the Complainant and so state.
3. Should BCT determine that a full investigation is necessary, the complainant or their representative will be notified that an investigation will take place, and additional information will be requested, if necessary. The investigation should last no more than forty-five (45) working days.
4. Should a complainant fail to provide additional information within the prescribed timeframe, this may be considered as a failure to cooperate with the investigation, and the complaint will be administratively closed.

Disposition

Upon completion of the investigation, a written notification of disposition will be sent by certified mail to the complainant or their representative within sixty (60) working days of filing the complaint.

If the complainant disagrees with the decision made by the Title VI Program Coordinator, they will be notified of the right to request an appeal within thirty (30) days of the response with BCT’s Deputy General Manager or Designee. The appeal request must be filed in writing at the following address:

Broward County Transportation Department
BCT Deputy General Manager or Designee
1 North University Drive, Suite 3100A Plantation, FL 33324
Email: TitleVIComplaintAppeals@broward.org
A complainant may file an administrative complaint with FTA’s Office of Program Oversight within 180 days of the alleged violation by completing the FTA Online Civil Rights Complaint Form linked at https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/file-complaint-fta. Questions concerning preparation of an FTA complaint may be directed to FTA’s civil-rights hotline at (888) 446-4511. 

Retaliation

Retaliation is prohibited under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. It is the policy of Broward County Government that individuals filing a complaint of discrimination should have the right to do so without interference, intimidation, coercion, or fear of reprisal. Anyone who feels they have been subjected to retaliation should report such incident to:

Broward County Transportation Department
Title VI Program Coordinator
1 North University Drive, Suite 3100A
Plantation, FL 33324
(954) 357-8481 | TTY 954-357-8302 | Florida Telecommunications Relay 711
Email: BCTD_TitleVIcomplaints@broward.org

ADA/504 STATEMENT

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and related federal and state laws and regulations prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, these laws require federal aid recipients and other government entities to take affirmative steps to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities and ensure that their needs are met in the transit service and planning processes.

BCT will make every effort to ensure that its facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. BCT will make every effort to ensure that its advisory committees and public involvement activities include representation by the disability community and disability service groups.

BCT encourages the public to report any facility, program, service, or activity that appears inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, BCT will provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in public involvement events or who require special assistance to access BCT facilities, programs, services, or activities. Because providing reasonable accommodation may require outside assistance, organization, or resources, BCT asks that requests be made at least three (3) days prior to the need for accommodation.
 
Questions, concerns, comments, or requests for accommodation should be made to:

Broward County Transportation Department 
ADA Program Coordinator
1 North University Drive, Suite 3100A Plantation, FL 33324
(954) 357-8232 | TTY: (954) 357-8302 | Florida Telecommunications Relay: 711
Email: bctadacomments@broward.org

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP)

Title VI, applicable federal regulations and FTA requirements require BCT to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to persons with limited English proficiency. BCT uses the following four factors to determine appropriate language assistance:

Factor 1: The number or proportion of LEP persons eligible in the BCT service area who may be served or likely to encounter a BCT program, activity, or service.
Factor 2: The frequency with which LEP individuals come in contact with a BCT program, activity, or service.
Factor 3: The nature and importance of the program, activity, or service provided by BCT to the LEP community.
Factor 4: The resources available to BCT and overall costs.

Persons requiring a copy of BCT's Limited English Proficiency Plan or special language assistance should contact:

Broward County Transportation Department
Title VI Program Coordinator
1 North University Drive, Suite 3100A Plantation, FL 33324
(954) 357-8481 | TTY: (954) 357-8302 | Florida Telecommunications Relay: 711
Email:  BCTD_TitleVIComplaints@broward.org

NOTICE OF PROTECTIONS UNDER TITLE VI

Any person(s) or group(s) who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination because of race, color, or national origin, under any transit program or activity provided by Broward County Transit (BCT), may call 954-357-8481, TTY 954-357-8302 or Florida Telecommunications Relay (711) to file a Title VI discrimination complaint or write to:

Broward County Transportation Department
Title VI Program Coordinator
1 North University Drive, Suite 3100A
Plantation, FL 33324
Email: BCTD_TitleVIComplaints@broward.org

TITLE VI COMPLAINT FORMS

• COMPLAINT OF TITLE VI DISCRIMINATION (English, PDF)
• QUEJA POR DISCRIMINACIÓN BAJO EL TÍTULO VI (Español, PDF)
• PLENT DISKRIMINASYON ANBA TIT VI (Kreyòl, PDF)
• RECLAMAÇÃO DE DISCRIMINAÇÃO CONFORME O TÍTULO VI (Português, PDF)​