Title VI/Limited English Proficiency

Learn about Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin (including people with Limited English Proficiency) in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is a direct recipient of Federal financial assistance. WSDOT's policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, including people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its programs and activities.

Program plans

WSDOT Title VI Plan (PDF 2.7MB)

WSDOT Limited English Proficiency Accessibility Plan (PDF 1.3MB)

Community Engagement Plan (PDF 2MB)

Title VI and ADA Standard Public Notice

English Title VI Notice to Public, Español-Spanish Notificación de Titulo VI al Público, 한국어-Korean 제6조 관련 공지사항, русский-Russian Раздел VI Общественное заявление, tiếng Việt-Vietnamese Thông báo Khoản VI dành cho công chúng, اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ-Arabic العنوان 6 إشعار للجمهور (PDF 347KB)

Translation Service Public Notice

English-Translation Services, Español- Servicios de traducción, 한국어-Korean 번역 서비스, Af-soomaaliga – Somali Adeegyada Turjumaada, 中文 – Chinese 翻译服务, русский-Russian Услуги перевода , tiếng Việt-Vietnamese các dịch vụ dịch thuật, اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ-Arabic خدمات الترجمة (PDF 976KB)

Title VI complaint procedure

The Title VI Discrimination Complaints Procedure (PDF 111KB) is a mechanism to resolve grievances, remedy discrimination and improve program delivery and services. Any person/s who believes they have been subjected to unlawful discrimination (denied the benefits of, access to, or participation in the programs and activities of WSDOT) based on race, color, national origin (including people with Limited English Proficiency) in programs, activities, or services of WSDOT or organizations funded through WSDOT may file a complaint. The complaint may be filed by the individual or their representative. A complaint must be filed no later than 180 days after the date of the alleged discrimination, unless extended by WSDOT.

Title VI complaint forms

Title VI

Prohibits entities from denying a protected individual any service, financial aid or other benefit under the covered programs and activities.
Prohibits entities from providing services or benefits to some individuals that are different from or inferior (in either quantity or quality) to those benefits provided to others. Prohibits segregation or separate treatment in any manner related to receiving program benefits or services.
Prohibits entities from imposing different standards or conditions as prerequisites for serving individuals.
Encourages the participation of minorities as members of planning or advisory bodies for programs receiving Federal funds.
Prohibits discriminatory activity in a facility built in whole or part with Federal funds.
Requires information and services to be provided in languages other than English when significant numbers of potential beneficiaries have limited English speaking ability.
Requires entities to notify the entire eligible population about programs.
Prohibits locating facilities in a way that would limit or impede access to a federally funded service or benefit. Requires assurance of nondiscrimination in the purchasing of services.

LEP individuals

An Limited English Proficient individual, as defined by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration), is an individual who does not speak English as their primary language and has a limited ability to read, write, speak or understand English.

Language access

Inclusion is one of WSDOT’s three goals with its strategic plan. Part of being inclusive means we are actively working to create an environment where everyone, regardless of what language they speak, is provided equal access to our services.

Programs or activities are covered by Title VI

Title VI applies to discrimination throughout an agency, not just to actions involving the Federally assisted program. If an agency receives any Federal financial assistance for any program or activity, the entire agency is required to comply with Title VI, not just the particular program.

Because Title VI applies to all work phases of projects and services, regardless of funding source, all contracts/agreements must include Title VI Program provisions, standard assurances and appropriate appendices.

Who must comply

State and local government agencies distributing Federal assistance
College, universities, or other post-secondary institutions
Local educational agencies or systems of vocational education, or other school systems
Entire corporations, partnerships, or other private organizations, or a sole proprietorship
Entire private organizations in education, housing, healthcare, etc.
Entire plant or private corporations or other organizations that are geographically separate facilities and to which Federal financial assistance is extended

Sub-recipients, Contractors, Consultants, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and Partners of Federal funds that flow through WSDOT are required to designate a Title VI Coordinator to receive complaints of discrimination filed against their organization by the public.

Title VI resources

LPAs Title VI Public Involvement Forms

The following Federal Laws and Executive Orders expand the Title VI nondiscrimination mandate

The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987
This act clarified the definition of "programs and activities" covered by the nondiscrimination provisions of civil rights statutes. The revised definition states that discrimination is prohibited throughout an entire agency or institution, if any part of that agency receives Federal financial assistance.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, school, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of this law is to make sure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA has five titles that relate to different areas of public life.

Anti-Racism Policy and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning (PDF 271KB)

Executive Order 1119 sets forth WSDOT’s commitment to identifying and dismantling racism in the Agency’s practices and policies.

Environmental Justice (EJ)
Executive Order 12898 seeks to avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority populations and low-income populations, and to ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process.

Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
Executive Order 13166 ensures individuals whose first language is not English and have a limited capacity to read, write or understand English are provided meaningful access to programs, information and services by any entity receiving Federal funding.