infoTitle VI

	PennDOT’s Title VI and Environmental Justice Program
	*What is Title VI?* Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a non-discrimination statute. Specifically, Title VI, as amended, provides that:
	No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
	*How does Title VI apply to PennDOT?*
	The Federal Highway Administration gives broad meaning to the phrase “Federal financial assistance”. PennDOT receives Federal financial assistance, in one form or another, under various programs that it directs. Accordingly, PennDOT adopted and implemented a plan that supports the values of Title VI.
	*What types of discrimination are prohibited*?
	Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not ban all discrimination. The Act forbids illegal discrimination. That is discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. In addition, later legislation has added sex, age, and disability to the types of discrimination banned.
	*Does Title VI apply to all Department of Transportation activities and programs?*
	Yes. The ban on discrimination in PennDOT programs and activities is based on receiving Federal financial assistance. For purposes of the Act, any receipt of Federal financial assistance will be enough. The assistance may be received directly or indirectly and does not have to be money.
	*What is Environmental Justice?*
	Environmental Justice (EJ) is a component of Title VI. The department’s EJ Program seeks to identify and address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority populations and low-income populations. PennDOT’s EJ Program values the involvement of low-income populations and minority populations in the decision making process, safeguards against disproportionately high and adverse decisions, and ensures that low-income populations and minority populations receive their fair share of transportation benefits.
	*What should I do if I think I have been discriminated against?*
	Any person who believes that he or she, or any specific class of persons, has been subjected to discrimination in transportation related activities or services in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, may file a Title VI Discrimination Complaint form with one of the agencies listed below. The affected individual or a representative may file a complaint. Complaints must be filed no later than 180 days after: 1) The date of the alleged act of discrimination; 2) the date when the person(s) became aware of the alleged discrimination; 3) where there has been a continuing course of conduct, the date on which that conduct was discontinued or the latest instance of the conduct.
	Note: The form below is in Adobe PDF format. To read or print these forms, you MUST have PDF viewing software. This software is FREE! If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat software necessary to view these forms, please click on the icon below.

	To view PennDOT's Title VI Compliance and Implementation Plan click in this blue link. The Title VI Discrimination Complaint form can be downloaded by clicking on the blue link. Complete all of the information, print, sign and date the complaint form, and send to one of the following:
	PennDOT Bureau of Equal Opportunity P.O. Box 3251 Harrisburg, PA 17105-3251 Phone: (717) 787-5891 or (800) 468-4201 Fax: (717) 772-4026 Email: dhobaugh@pa.gov
	Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Pennsylvania Division Office ATTN: Henry Droughter 228 Walnut Street, Room 508 Harrisburg, PA 17101-1720 (717) 221-3705
	Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights U.S. Department of Transportation ATTN: Title VI Program Coordinator East Building, 5th Floor - TCR 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590
	U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Office for Civil Rights 810 7th Street, NW Washington, DC 20531 (202) 307-0690 202-307-2027 (TDD)