The Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization is committed, through its Title VI Program and Public Participation Plan, to conducting all of its programs and activities to ensure that protected populations have equal access to the benefits of, and have meaningful opportunities to participate in, the SMMPO’s transportation planning process.
Federal “Title VI/Nondiscrimination” Protections
The Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (SMMPO), through the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits discrimination in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance. Related federal nondiscrimination laws administrated by the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, or both prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, and disability. These protected categories are contemplated within the SMMPO’s Title VI Programs consistent with federal interpretation and administration. Additionally, the SMMPO provides meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance with US Department of Transportation policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166. Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), operates its programs, services, and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI
Title VI Notice of Rights to Beneficiaries- English
Title VI Notice of Rights to Beneficiaries - Portuguese
Title VI Notice of Rights to Beneficiaries - Spanish
Title VI Notice of Rights to Beneficiaries - Haitian Creole
Complaint Filing
Individuals seeking additional information or wishing to file a Title VI/Nondiscrimination complaint may contact the SRPEDD Title VI/Nondiscrimination Coordinator at the contact information here. All such complaints must be received, in writing, within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. A complaint may be filed with the following:
Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (SMMPO)
Lilia Cabral-Bernard, Title VI Coordinator
SRPEDD
88 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508 824-1367 or dial 711 to use MassRelay
Email: lcabral@srpedd.org
The MassDOT Title VI Specialist
MassDOT Office of Diversity and Civil Rights
10 Park Plaza, Suite 3800, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 857-368‐8580 or 7‐1‐1 for Relay Service.
Email:MassDOT.CivilRights@state.ma.us
The MassDOT Office of Diversity and Civil Rights – Investigations Unit
Assistant Secretary of Diversity & Civil Rights, MassDOT
10 Park Plaza, Suite 3800, Boston, MA 02116
Email: odcrcomplaints@dot.state.ma.us
Nondiscrimination/T6 Complaint Process- English
Nondiscrimination/T6 Complaint Form – English
Nondiscrimination/T6 Complaint Process - Portuguese
Nondiscrimination/T6 Complaint Form – Portuguese
Nondiscrimination/T6 Complaint Process -Spanish
Nondiscrimination/T6 Complaint Form – Spanish
Nondiscrimination/T6 Complaint Process - Haitian Creole
Nondiscrimination/T6 Complaint Form – Haitian Creole
State Nondiscrimination Protections
The SMMPO also complies with the Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L. c 272 §§ 92a, 98, 98a, prohibiting making any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in admission to or treatment in a place of public accommodation based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry. Likewise, the SMMPO complies with the Governor’s Executive Order 526, section 4 requiring all programs, activities, and services provided, performed, licensed, chartered, funded, regulated, or contracted for by the state shall be conducted without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, veteran's status (including Vietnam-era veterans), or background.
The SMMPO is equally committed to implementing federal Executive Order 12898, entitled “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.” In this capacity, the SMMPO identifies and addresses disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations. The SMMPO carries out this responsibility by involving minority and low-income individuals in the transportation process and considering their transportation needs in the development and review of the SMMPO’s transportation plans, programs and projects.
The SMMPO ensures early, inclusive, accessible and continuous public participation and input to the planning process for transportation decision making and continuing opportunities for the public to express their views on transportation issues and to become active participants in the transportation decision-making process of the SMMPO. Our Public Participation Plan (PPP) states “In these public participation efforts, the SMMPO adheres to the principles of Environmental Justice and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act…these efforts will, in no way, exclude persons who are low-income, minority, Limited English Proficient (LEP) or have a disability. The goal of the PPP is to ensure that all persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, disability religion, ancestry or ethnicity, sexual orientation or veteran’s status have an equal opportunity to participate in the SMMPO’s decision-making process.” To view the SMMPO’s PPP document.
The SMMPO carries out this responsibility by allowing every person in the region the opportunity to participate in the planning process guiding every issue, project, plan, program or service. Special efforts are made to reach the traditionally underserved, including LEP, minority and low-income persons. addition to this, the CMMPO has a plan to engage the population with limited English proficiency. To view the SMMPO’s Language Access Plan (LAP). To request additional information regarding Title VI and related federal and state nondiscrimination obligations, please contact:
Title VI Specialist
MassDOT Office of Diversity and Civil Rights
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116
857-368-8580
TTY: 857-368-0603
MASSDOT.CivilRights@state.ma.us
or
Lilia Cabral-Bernard, Title VI Coordinator
Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District
88 Broadway, Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508 824-1367 or dial 711 to use MassRelay
Email: lcabral@srpedd.org