Notifying the Public of Rights under Title VI
Ability Beyond
Ability Beyond operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with Ability Beyond.
For more information on Ability Beyond’s program, and the obligations and procedures to file a complaint, contact 203-775-4700; email www.complimentcomplaint@abilitvbeyond.org or visit our office at Ability Beyond, 480 Bedford Rd, Chappaqua, NY 10514. For more information on how to contact Ability Beyond to find out about Title VI, visit www.abilitvbevond.org.
A complainant may file a complaint directly with Ability Beyond TITLE VI Coordinator by following the Ability Beyond complaint procedures also found on the agency’s website. A complaint can also be filed with the New York State Department of Transportation on its Civil Rights website at https://www.dot.ny.gov/main/businesscenter/civil-rights/title-vi-ei. Finally, a complaint can be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC, 20590.
If information is needed in another language, contact (203)-775-4700.
Si necesita informaciön en otra idioma, por favor contacto (203) 775-4700.
Title VI Complaint Procedures and Complaint Form
Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin, may file a complaint by completing and submitting the Title VI Complaint Form (contained in Appendix B) to the address below.
Ability Beyond
Bridget Kopet
Services Manager Ability Beyond
4 Berkshire Blvd
Bethel, CT 06801
The complaint form is not required to file a complaint. The complainant may submit any written report as a complaint notice. Ability Beyond will make reasonable modifications and take information verbally if the complainant requires this accommodation.
Ability Beyond investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. Once the complaint is received, Ability Beyond will follow the steps below:
1 . Acknowledge receipt of the complaint within 10 days (Appendix C)
2. Determine if Ability Beyond has jurisdiction to investigate the complaint.
3. Plan to complete the investigation within 45 days.
4. Schedule an interview, if deemed necessary.
5. Determine if other public or private entities are or should be involved.
6. Determine if additional information is needed. Complainant has 15 days to provide the additional information.
7. If Ability Beyond is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 15 days, the case can be administratively closed. Additionally, a case can be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue the case.
8. Determine if meetings with the affected party or other interested parties are needed.
After the investigative process has been completed, Ability Beyond will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF).
1. A closure letter summarizing the allegations and stating that there was no Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. (Appendix D)
2. A letter of finding (LOF) summarizing the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explaining whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action will occur. (Appendix E)
If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, the complainant must submit the appeal within 21 days after the date of the closure letter or the LOF.
Filing complaints with Ability Beyond enables the agency to properly investigate the complaint A person may also file a complaint directly with:
New York State Department of Transportation
Office of Diversity and Opportunity
50 Wolf Road, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12232
(518) 457-1 129 Fax (518) 549-1273 OCR-TitieVl@d0t.ny.gov
Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator
East Building, 5th Floor-TCR,
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590
If information is needed in another language, please contact Ability Beyond at 203-775-4700.
Si se necesita informacion en otro idioma por favor contacto, 203-775-4700.
To download a copy of the complaint form, click here.