Source: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/lafayette-consolidated-government-lafayette-la-12-21-11
Timestamp: 2017-02-19 12:12:52
Document Index: 84010023

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 27', '§ 27', '§ 27', 'arts 27', '§ 27', '§ 27']

Lafayette Consolidated Government, Lafayette, LA, 12-21-11 | FTA
This letter responds to the complaint you filed against Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) and its paratransit service provider Acadiana alleging discrimination on the basis of disability. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Civil Rights is responsible for civil rights compliance and monitoring, which includes ensuring that providers of public transportation are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) implementing regulations at 49 C.F.R. Parts 27, 37, 38 and 39.
Your complaint alleged that LCG does not have a functioning complaint process for addressing and resolving ADA issues. You stated that your numerous complaints against LCG and Acadiana’s paratransit service have been ignored when raising issues with the appropriate LCG officials. Additionally, your complaint goes on to allege that informal resolution attempts have been ignored.
FTA reached out to LCG regarding: (1) the details of LCG’s complaint procedures, (2) the details of LCG’s tracking procedures for complaints received, and (3) how LCG would advertise the availability of the ADA complaint process.
The DOT ADA regulations at 49 C.F.R. § 27.13 cover the obligation of the transit provider to adopt complaint procedures. This section outlines the following requirements:
Additionally, the DOT ADA regulations at 49 C.F.R. § 27.121(b) require recipients of Federal financial assistance to maintain complaint records and compliance reports:
We confirmed with LCG that it now has a complaint process in place to resolve any ADA issues you have with them. Contained within its ADA action plan, available on LCG’s public website, is an ADA Discrimination Complaint Form, information about where you may file a complaint, and information about the internal processes in-place for complaint resolution.[1]
First, Appendix B of LCG’s ADA action plan outlines complaint procedures on page 7 of the plan. The plan identifies the process to file or log a complaint, whom the official required to provide the response is (name and position), and the timeline allotted to provide a response to the complainant.
Based upon our discussions with LCG, and the complaint resolution information and processes publically available, we find that LCG has adequately responded to your complaint. We are therefore taking no further action and are closing your complaint as of the date of this letter. If you have any future problems with LCG’s complaint process, please bring the matter to our attention. While FTA’s decision in your case is administratively final, it does not prevent you from pursuing this matter privately in court. If you have any questions regarding this determination, please contact me or Aaron Meyers at (202) 366-3055 or via e-mail at aaron.meyers@dot.gov. Any further correspondence should reference FTA Complaint No. 11-0005. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention, and we trust the above information is helpful.
cc:LCG[redacted]FTA Region 6
This letter is in response to a discrimination complaint the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Civil Rights received against Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG), and its paratransit service provider Acadiana, alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The FTA Office of Civil Rights is responsible for civil rights compliance and monitoring, which includes ensuring that providers of public transportation are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) implementing regulations at 49 C.F.R. Parts 27, 37, and 38.
The complaint filed by [name withheld] raised allegations pertaining to the absence of LCG having a functioning complaint process for addressing and resolving ADA issues. [The complainant] stated that his numerous complaints against LCG and Acadiana’s paratransit service have been ignored when he raised problems with the appropriate LCG officials. Additionally, his informal attempts at resolution have been ignored.
We appreciate the thoroughness and promptness of Mr. Mitchell’s response to our information requests during our investigation. Our communications help us gain a more complete picture of the situation at LCG. In response to our information request for information pertaining to LCG’s ADA complaint filing and resolution process, we have summarized the current situation as follows:
LCG’s complaint process states that staff will post notices of the Title VI Civil Rights Act on board paratransit vehicles and the downtown transit center. The notices identify the manner in which a complaint can be filed and to whom the complaint is to be directed [redacted];
While LCG has copies of correspondence between [the complainant] and LCG that have been provided to FTA, it does not have copies of his earlier complaints filed against the agency; The policies and procedures governing LCG’s complaint process are outlined in its paratransit rider’s guide and the Lafayette Metropolitan Planning Organization Title VI Plan.
We must clarify a few points. Our communications confirm that while LCG has a Title VI complaint resolution process, it does not have a process in place to respond to or resolve ADA complaints. We acknowledge that you informed us that Title VI and ADA complaints would be treated in the same manner; however, LCG must still formalize ADA complaint resolution procedures.
The DOT ADA regulations at 49 C.F.R. § 27.13(b) cover the obligation of the transit provider to adopt complaint procedures. This section outlines the requirement thatA recipient that employs fifteen or more persons shall, within 180 days, adopt and file with the head of the operating administration procedures that incorporate appropriate due process standards and provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by this part.
Additionally, the DOT ADA regulations at 49 C.F.R. § 27.121(b) requires recipients of Federal financial assistance to maintain complaint records and compliance reports:
While we appreciate the similar treatment that LCG affords to Title VI and ADA complaints, this requirement has existed since 1991. It is the responsibility of LCG to demonstrate how it complies with Federal law, particularly as related to creation of an ADA complaint resolution process and demonstrating how it will advertise the availability of this process to customers. In light of these concerns, we request more information on LCG’s plans for ensuring compliance with the DOT ADA regulations, specifically:
Details on LCG’s ADA complaint procedures;
Details on your tracking procedures for complaints received;
How LCG will advertise the availability of the ADA complaint process.
The response should be sent to my attention within 30 days of the date of this letter at the address above. With your response, include copies of any written policies or instructions implementing these practices. If any practices are under development, please explain the steps that are being taken and provide a timeline for implementation.
cc:Acadiana TransitFTA Region 6