Title VI Policy Statement

It is the policy of Ashe County Transportation Authority to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: 49 CFR, Part 21; that no person shall be discriminated against because of color, religious belief, race, sex, age, national origin, genetics or disability from any services provided by the use of federal funds from the United States Department of Transportation.

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against should contact:

Ashe County Transportation Authority

895 Ray Taylor Rd

PO Box 1836

West Jefferson, NC  28694

Phone: (336) 846-2000

This Policy Statement was duly approved and adopted by the Ashe County Transportation Authority Board of Directors at the regular monthly board meeting on October 23, 2007. It was revised and approved at the regular monthly board meeting on March 19, 2019.

 

Notice to Public

Notifying the Public of Nondiscrimination Rights

The Ashe County Transportation Authority

  • The Ashe County Transportation Authority operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and related statutes. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice may file a complaint with the Ashe County Transportation Authority.
  • For more information on the Ashe County Transportation Authority’s civil rights program, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact 336-846-2000; TTD User 1(800) 735-2962, email info@actatravel.com; or visit our administrative office at 895 Ray Taylor Rd. West Jefferson. For more information, visit actatravels.com.
  • A complainant may file a complaint directly with the North Carolina Department of Transportation by filing a complaint with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Workforce Services, External Civil Rights Section, 1511 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1511, Attention: Title VI Nondiscrimination Program.
  • A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR,1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.
  • If information is needed in another language, contact 877-255-0717.

Si se necesita información en otro idioma, contacte al 877-255-0717.

Filing a Claim of Discrimination – ADA

It is the goal of the Ashe County Transportation Authority not to discriminate against any passenger, however should a passenger ever feel discriminated against; the following procedure shall be followed:

  • Any passenger can file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by ACTA.
  • The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interview or a tape recording of the complaint will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.
  • The complaint should be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to:  Ashe County Transportation Authority, PO Box 1836, West Jefferson, NC  28694 Attn:  Executive Director.  Complaints can also be filed with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Civil Rights at their toll free FTA ADA Assistance Line 1-888-446-4511 (voice), or the Federal Information Relay Service 1-800-877-8339. In addition, an ADA Complaint Form is also available on FTA’s website: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/fta-civil-rights-complaint-form
  • Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the Director will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions.  Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, the Director will respond in writing, and where appropriate in an accessible format.  The response will explain the position of Ashe County Transportation Authority and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.  This written response will be carbon copied to the Board of Directors.
  • If the response by ACTA does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complaint may appeal the decision, within 15 days of receipt with ACTA’s Chairman of the Board, by notifying the ACTA director that they wish to do so.
  • The ACTA Director will then forward all pertinent materials within five working days of receipt.
  • All written complains and appeals will be kept on file, by Ashe County Transportation Authority for a minimum of 5 years.
  • A request for an extension of time for any of the deadlines mentioned herein may be made.  The request shall be in writing and sent to the above address.

All complaints of discrimination on the basis of disability will be promptly and objectively investigated and forwarded to the Operations Manager.  Contact the Operations Manager at (336) 846-2000, TDD User 800-735-2962.  Corrective or disciplinary action will be taken for behavior prohibited by this policy, up to and including termination of employment.

If any person believes that he/she has not been treated in accordance with this policy while traveling on an ACTA vehicle, the passenger may immediately contact ACTA’s Operations Manager at (336) 846-2000, TDD User 800-735-2962.

ADA Reasonable Modifications

Ashe County Transportation Authority (ACTA) is committed to ensure equality and fairness by making reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures to avoid discrimination and ensure programs and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Whenever feasible, a request for modification or accommodation to ACTA policies and procedures should be made in advance before service is expected.

Individuals with disabilities may request that ACTA make reasonable accommodations to fully use transit services. All requests should be made verbally or in writing to: Ashe County Transportation Authority, Attn: Executive Director, PO Box 1836, West Jefferson, NC 28694; 336-846-2000, TDD Users: 800-735-2962

Requests for modification may be denied on one or more of the following grounds:

  1. Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of the entity’s services, programs, or activities.
  2. Granting the request would create a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
  3. Without the requested modification, the individual with a disability is able to fully use the entity’s services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose.

Upon request, alternative formats of this policy will be produced for people who are disabled. Call 336-846-2000, TDD Users: 800-735-2962 or email info@actatravel.com.