Title VI Of The Civil Rights Act & Environmental Justice

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., 78 stat. 252) states that "no person in the United States, shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."

To this end, planning must be performed with the involvement and for the benefit of all the citizens of Rhode Island.  The Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning (RIDSP) is guided by Title VI and environmental justice mandates, and strives to not only meet these mandates, but to create an overall transparent, inclusive planning process.  As the single metropolitan planning organization (MPO) staff office for the State of Rhode Island, RIDSP is committed to making Title VI and environmental justice a part of the planning process, integrated in all programs and plans, and a guide for public participation efforts.

In its efforts to address Title VI and environmental justice, the RIDSP works to meet the following requirements of Title VI:

  • Enhance its analytical capabilities to ensure that the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) comply with Title VI;
  • Identify residential, employment, and transportation patterns of low-income and minority populations so that their needs may be identified and addressed, and the benefits and burdens of transportation can be fairly distributed; and
  • Evaluate and, where necessary, improve the public involvement process to eliminate barriers and engage minority, disabled, elderly, and low-income populations in regional decision-making.

Title VI - RI Division of Statewide Planning’s Notice to Beneficiaries

The Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning (RIDSP) operates its programs, services, and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI of 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 RIDSP’s Title VI Program consistent with federal interpretation and administration. Additionally, RIDSP 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.

Additional Information and Complaint Filing

To request additional information about the Division of Statewide Planning's Civil Rights obligations please contact, Benny Bergantino, Title VI Coordinator, (401) 222-1755. Persons wishing to file complaints under Title VI should do so within 180 days of the alleged occurrence. Complaints may be submitted in writing to the Title VI Coordinator using the Title VI/Civil Rights Complaint Form or Title VI/Civil Rights Complaint Form for other Languages. Also, reasonable accommodations will be provided to anyone needing assistance in submitting a complaint due to a disability. Individuals with physical or sensory impairments requiring assistance in filing a complaint should contact Dr. Thomas Mannock, Ph.D or (voice) (401) 222-6377 or #711 (R.I. Relay).