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C-CARTS

Title VI

In order to comply with 40 CFR Section 21.9 (b) Champaign County has developed procedures for investigating and tracking Title VI complaints. If you believe that you have been excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of or subjected to discrimination based on race, color, sex, creed, or national origin under Champaign County’s rural public transportation program or related benefits, you may file a complaint with the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission (RPC). The procedures for filing a complaint will be made available to members of the general public. The following measures will be taken in dealing with Title VI Complaints:

A formal complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged occurrence. Complaints shall be in writing and signed by the individual or his/her representative, and will include the Complainant’s name, address, and telephone number; name of alleged discriminating official, basis of complaint (race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age), and the date of alleged act(s). Reasonable measures will be undertaken to preserve any information that is confidential. A statement detailing the facts and circumstances of the alleged discrimination must accompany all complaints.

A complaint should contain enough details for an investigator to understand why a complainant believes Champaign County violated the ADA and include specifics such as dates, times, and route numbers of incidents, along with any related correspondence from the transit agency.

This can be filed by contacting the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission:

Becky Kruger, HR Director and EEO Officer
1776 E Washington Street
Urbana, IL 61802
Telephone: (217) 819-4026
Email: bkrueger@ccrpc.org

In the case where a Complainant is unable or incapable of providing a written statement, a verbal complaint of discrimination may be made to Champaign County’s Title VI Coordinator. Under these circumstances, the complainant will be interviewed, and the Coordinator will assist the Complainant in converting the verbal allegation into writing.

Champaign County will investigate complaints filed against contractors, consultants, or other sub-recipients. Complaints filed directly against Champaign County shall be forwarded to the IDOT Title VI Coordinator for investigation.

When a complete complaint is received, the Title VI Coordinator will provide written acknowledgement to the Complainant within five (5) days by registered mail. At the same time, the complaint will be forwarded to the State of Illinois for investigation.

If a complaint is deemed incomplete, additional information will be requested from the Complainant within 15 business days from receipt of the original complaint. The Complainant will be provided 60 business days to submit the required information. Failure to do so may be considered good cause for a determination of no investigative merit.

A complaint may also be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint at:

Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator
East Building, 5th Floor-TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Telephone: (202) 366-4018

Within 15 business days from receipt of a complete complaint, Champaign
County will determine its jurisdiction in pursuing the matter and whether the
complaint has sufficient merit to warrant investigation. Within five (5) days of
this decision, the Complainant and Respondent will receive notification of the
disposition by registered mail.

  1. If the decision is not to investigate the complaint, the notification shall
    specifically state the reason for the decision.
  2. If the decision is to be investigated, the notification shall inform the
    parties that their full cooperation will be required in gathering additional
    information and assisting the investigator.

When Champaign County does not have sufficient jurisdiction, the complaint
will be referred to IDOT for further investigation.

If the complaint has investigative merit, an investigator will be assigned. A
complete investigation will be conducted, and an investigative report will be
submitted within 45 days from the receipt of the complaint. The report will
include a narrative description of the incident, summaries of all persons
interviewed, and a finding with recommendations.

A letter of finding will be issued to the Complainant and Respondent. Where
appropriate, these letters will include conciliatory measures. A copy of the
investigative report shall be forwarded to IDOT within 60 days from recipient
of the complaint. If the investigation is delayed for any reason, the
investigator will notify the appropriate authorities, and an extension will be
requested.

If a Title VI is found to exist, remedial steps, as appropriate and necessary,
will be taken immediately. If no violation is found, or if the Complainant is
dissatisfied with Champaign County’s resolution of the complaint, he/she has
the right to file the complaint with the IDOT Title VI Coordinator directly.

Reasonable Modification

A reasonable modification is a change or exception to a policy, practice, or procedure that allows individuals with disabilities to have equal access to programs, services, or activities. Reasonable modifications will be made, when necessary, for qualified individuals with disabilities, unless:

  • Making the modification would fundamentally alter the nature of the program, service, or activity.
  • Making the accommodation would create a direct threat to the health or safety of other passengers or participants.
  • The individual with a disability is able to fully utilize MTD services or activities without the accommodation being made.
  • Where granting the request would cause an undue financial and administrative burden.

Eligibility

An individual is eligible to be considered to receive a reasonable modification if that individual has a physical or cognitive disability that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of that individual, has a record of impairment, or has been regarded as having such impairment.

Requests for Reasonable Modifications

C-CARTS provides information about how to make requests for reasonable modifications readily available to the public through its website and onboard its vehicles. When taking requests, C-CARTS will follow the following procedure:

  • Individuals requesting modifications shall describe what they need in order to utilize programs, services, or activities.
  • Individuals requesting modifications are not required to use the term "reasonable modification" when making a request. C-CARTS personnel will determine if the request represents a reasonable modification and proceed in accommodating the request accordingly.
  • Whenever feasible, C-CARTS requests that individuals make such requests for modifications before C-CARTS is expected to provide the modified service.
  • Where a request for modification cannot practicably be made and determined in advance (e.g., because of a condition or barrier at the destination of a paratransit or fixed route trip of which the individual with a disability was unaware until arriving), operating personnel shall make a determination of whether the modification should be provided at the time of the request. Operating personnel will consult with C-CARTS' Dispatcher or a Supervisor before deciding to grant or deny the request.
  • Requests for accommodation can be submitted in any written format (letter or email). It is recommended that the "Accommodation Request Form" be used. Alternative means of filing a request, such as personal interview or phone call will be made available for persons with disabilities if unable to communicate their request in writing. The reasonable accommodation process begins as soon as the request for accommodation is received.

Individuals may also complete this reasonable modification form by submitting via email or regular mail.

Granting a Request

As soon as a determination on a reasonable modification request has been made, that decision shall be promptly communicated to the individual. For advance requests, this notice will be in writing for record retention purposes. If requested, additional forms of communication can be provided in addition to written response.
When granting reasonable modifications, MTD shall give priority to those methods that most integrate into existing services, programs, or activities while still meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Denying a Request

If it is determined that a request will be denied, this decision will be communicated to the individual. This communication will be made in writing and will clearly state an explanation for the denial. This explanation shall include:

  • specific reasons for the denial
  • any alternative accommodations that may create the same access to services, programs, or activities requested by the individual
  • the opportunity to appeal MTD's decision on the request.

Appeal Process

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in obtaining a reasonable modification may file a formal appeal.

To make a formal appeal, write to:

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District
Managing Director
1101 E University Ave
Urbana, Illinois 61802

Appeals must be made within 60 days of receipt of written denial of reasonable modification request. All information pertinent to the individuals request should be included. All decisions shall be made within 30 days from receipt of the appeal request. Alternative means of filing an appeal will be made available for persons with disabilities if unable to communicate in writing.

Designated Employee

C-CARTS' designated official responsible for processing reasonable modification requests is:

Special Services Manager
Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District
1101 E University Avenue
Urbana, IL 61802
217.384.8188

Record Retention

C-CARTS will maintain all records related to reasonable modification requests and denials for at least five (5) years.