Title VI Program
RTC Nondiscrimination Program
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any RTC program or activity on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, due to limited English proficiency, due to ability, age or sex, or on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, religious creed, veteran’s or socioeconomic status. The RTC strives to provide meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities to all individuals.
The RTC adopted its 2025 Nondiscrimination Plan: Title VI Civil Rights Program, Language Assistance Plan, and Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act Program at its February 6, 2025 meeting.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
As a recipient of federal funds and consistent with Section 601 under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the RTC is required to regularly update and adopt a Title VI Program. Title VI states the following: “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” The RTC is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation or subjected to discrimination with regard to the transportation planning and programming activities conducted by RTC’s employees, affiliates, and contractors.
Executive Order 13166
Executive Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons With Limited English Proficiency, directs each Federal agency that is subject to the requirements of Title VI to publish guidance for its respective recipients clarifying that obligation. Executive Order 13166 applies to all federal agencies and all programs and operations of entities that receive funding from the federal government, including state agencies, local agencies and governments (such as the RTC), private and non-profit entities, and sub-recipients.
2025 Nondiscrimination Plan: Title VI Civil Rights Program, Language Assistance Plan, and Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act Program
Language Assistance Plan
The RTC’s 2025 Nondiscrimination Plan also includes the RTC’s Language Assistance Plan (LAP). The purpose of the Language Assistance Plan (LAP) is to clarify the responsibilities of the RTC to persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). The LAP was prepared in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d, et seq., and its implementing regulations provide that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin under any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance.
The RTC includes a notice on all meeting agendas stating that Spanish interpreter services are provided upon request. RTC will provide Spanish interpreters for advertised public hearings and workshops and include a notification in the outreach materials and agendas for those events that such services are available. RTC staff, who are fluent in Spanish, are also available for Spanish language communication with the community, as needed. When an interpreter is needed, in person or on the telephone, RTC staff will first attempt to determine what language is required, and then seek services of a staff interpreter, or authorized interpreter for hire or utilize the telephone interpreter service – Language Line Services at http://www.languageline.com/.
Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 504 Program
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in any services, programs, activities or benefits it provides to the general public. The RTC is working to ensure that its capital projects, buildings, meetings, website, services and materials are accessible to all. The RTC’s 2025 Nondiscrimination Plan includes information about the RTC’s ADA policies, efforts to address needs of individuals with disabilities, and compliance with Title II requirements.
RTC Staff Training
All RTC staff will be provided with the LAP Plan and will be educated on the following procedures. This information will also be part of the staff orientation process for new hires. Training topics include:
- Understanding the RTC’s Nondiscrimination Plan, Title VI policy and LEP and ADA responsibilities;
- Language assistance services RTC offers;
- Who the Spanish speaking staff members are and how to contact them when needed;
- Who the authorized translators and interpreters for hire are and how to enlist their services when needed;
- How to use the “Language Line” interpretation and translation services;
- Documentation of language assistance requests;
- How to handle a discrimination complaint.
Discrimination Complaint Procedures
Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) may file a complaint by completing the RTC’s Discrimination Complaint Form. RTC investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. RTC will process complaints that are complete.
Complaints must include the complainant’s name, address, and phone number and must be detailed to specify all issues and circumstances of the alleged discrimination.
Discrimination Complaint Form (including Title VI and ADA): Printable Form and Online form. See RTC’s Nondiscrimination Plan for the RTC’s Nondiscrimination Notice to Beneficiaries (Appendix 1) and Complaint Procedures (Appendices 2 and 8-10).
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