Title VI/Environmental Justice/Language Access Programs

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Title VI, Environmental Justice, and Language Access Programs

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is a recipient of Federal financial assistance.  Recipients are required to comply with various nondiscrimination laws and regulations, the focal point of which is Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bars discrimination against anyone in the United States because of race, color, or national origin by any agency receiving Federal funds.

The broader application of nondiscrimination law is found in other statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders.  The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973 added the requirement that there be no discrimination based on sex.  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits disability discrimination, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 bars age discrimination in the provision of services.

Additionally, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 defined “program” to make clear that discrimination is prohibited throughout an entire agency if any part of the agency receives Federal financial assistance.  Thus, subrecipients are required to comply with Title VI and related nondiscrimination laws, and regulations.

An important component of the HDOT Title VI Program is the commitment to developing and implementing environmental justice strategies.  Environmental Justice (EJ) is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.  Also, part of this fair treatment and meaningful involvement includes HDOT Title VI Program’s support of the needs of people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).  In compliance with §321C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, HDOT’s Language Access Plan aligns with the State of Hawaii’s Office of Language Access’ policies and requirements regarding provision of language access to LEP persons seeking access to HDOT programs, activities, or services.

Policy

It is HDOT policy for all recipients of Federal funds, including HDOT divisions, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), and subrecipients to ensure that they are in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all related statutes, regulations and directives in all programs and activities.  No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any HDOT program, policy, or activity.

HDOT Title VI and EJ Program Activities Include

  • Conducting internal and external compliance reviews.
  • Conducting Title VI/EJ Program Implementation training to HDOT managers, program officers, suppliers, vendors, contractors, local governments and other HDOT subrecipients of federal funds.
  • Developing Title VI/EJ compliance information for internal and external dissemination.
  • Processing the disposition of Title VI complaints received by HDOT.
  • Providing technical support to subrecipients developing Title VI/EJ Programs.
  • Approving subrecipients’ Title VI Policy, Assurances, and Plans.

Notices:

Complaint Forms Available:

Plans:

FAA Title VI Plans by Airport:

Title VI Accomplishment Report Format