EEO Specialist: Phaedra Cowan
Email:  Phaedra.Cowan@ardot.gov
Phone: (501) 569-2299

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Title VI Program ensures no person shall be excluded from participation in, or is denied the benefits of, or is subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance from the Arkansas Department of Transportation on the grounds of race, color, age, sex, disability or national origin.

Goals

The primary goal of the program is to ensure that all Arkansas Department of Transportation employees and sub-recipients are aware of the provisions of Title VI and the responsibilities associated with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

ARDOT – Title VI Complaint Process

The following procedures cover complaints filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987. Any person who believes they, or any specific class of persons, were subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs or activities of a Federal-aid Recipient may file a complaint. According to U.S. DOT regulations, 49 CFR § 21.11(b), a complaint must be filed not later than 180 days after the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the investigating agency. If filed with ARDOT, then ARDOT will ensure that all complaints are sent to the appropriate authority for disposition. 

Complaints alleging violations of Title VI should be filed in writing directly with one of the following agencies:

• Federal Highway Administration – Arkansas Division 700 West Capitol Ave, Suite 3130 Little Rock, AR 72201

• Federal Highway Administration Office of Civil Rights, HCR-20, Room E81-320 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

• Arkansas Department of Transportation Joanna P. McFadden, Civil Rights Officer 10324 Interstate 30   Little Rock, AR 72209 Email: Joanna.mcfadden@ardot.gov  Telephone: (501) 569-2298 (voice/TTY 711)

• Federal Coordination and Compliance Section – NWB Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C.  20530

ARDOT will retain a log of all Title VI complaints received by the Civil Rights Officer for at least five (5) years. The log shall include the date the complaint was filed, a summary of the allegations, the status of the complaint, and actions taken in response of the complaint.

Alternate formats of this policy (large print, Braille, audiotape) are available upon request. Please contact Joanna McFadden at (501) 569-2298 (voice/TTY 711).

Title VI Requirements for FHWA Subrecipients

Overview:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related non-discrimination statutes require that recipients of federal financial assistance ensure that no one is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

For Title VI purposes, the term “program or activity” means all of the operations of a department, agency, special district, or other instrumentality of a local government.

Subrecipients must also comply with federal policies regarding Limited-English proficiency (LEP). The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Title VI implementing regulations are contained in 49 CFR Part 21 and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Title VI regulations are in 23 CFR Part 200.

Agencies that receive federal funds from ARDOT are referred to as subrecipients. When subrecipients receive FHWA funds through ARDOT they are required to establish measures to comply with Title VI and reviews by ARDOT pursuant to 23 CFR 200.9(b)(7). The purpose of reviews is to not only prohibit discrimination but to ensure non-discrimination through any agency policies and procedures.

FHWA Sub-Recipients Title VI Complaint Process

1. If a sub-recipient receives a complaint, it must forward it to ARDOT, who will then forward the complaint to the FHWA Arkansas Division Office (Division).
2. All Title VI complaints received by the Division Office will be forwarded to HCR for processing and potential investigation.
3. If HCR determines a Title VI complaint against a sub-recipient can be investigated by ARDOT, HCR may delegate the task of investigating the complaint to ARDOT.   ARDOT will conduct the investigation and forward the Report of Investigation to HCR for review and final disposition.
4. The disposition of all Title VI complaints will be undertaken by HCR, through either (1) informal resolution or (2) issuance of a Letter of Finding of compliance or noncompliance with Title VI.  A copy of the Letter of Finding will be sent to the Division Office.
   
   
   

Title VI Resources For Subrecipients

Public Funds For Public Benefit: Subrecipient’s guide to Implement Title VI Presentation

Title VI Intentional Discrimination and Disparate Impact

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/civilrights/programs/title_vi/presentations.cfm

http://www.fta.dot.gov/civilrights/12328.html

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmental_justice/overview/

http://www.lep.gov/

https://www.civilrights.dot.gov/

ARDOT Title VI Training
ARDOT’s Title VI Coordinator or designated EEO Specialist is responsible for coordinating and providing training as needed or requested to subrecipients.   Your Agency Title VI Coordinator may contact us directly @ 501-569-2299 to schedule onsite or video conference Title VI training.  As an alternative, you can access the online PowerPoint tutorial and Title VI Technical Guide to assist in compliance requirements at your convenience.  We encourage Title VI Coordinators and Specialists to participate in training every three (3) years to stay abreast of Title VI laws and or changes. Our hope is that these tools and options will provide you with the necessary Title VI guidelines to:

• Understand Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

• Understand and implement elements of compliance

ARDOT has provided Title VI Nondiscrimination templates and Federal Aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies to aide your agency in compliance.

2024 Title VI Training Schedule – Coming Soon!!

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) complies with all civil rights provisions of federal statutes and related authorities that prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Therefore, ARDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion (not applicable as a protected group under the FMCSA Title VI Program), disability, Limited English Proficiency (LEP), or low-income status in the admission, access to and treatment in ARDOT’s programs and activities, as well as ARDOT’s hiring or employment practices. Complaints of alleged discrimination and inquiries regarding ARDOT’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Civil Rights Officer Joanna P. McFadden (ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator), P. O. Box 2261, Little Rock, AR  72203, (501) 569-2298, (Voice/TTY 711), or the following email address: joanna.mcfadden@ardot.gov

Free language assistance for Limited English Proficient individuals is available upon request.

This notice is available from the ADA/504/Title VI Coordinator in large print, on audiotape and in Braille.