Notice Under the Americans With Disabilities Act

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), the Franklin Transit Authority will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Employment: The Franklin Transit Authority does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.

Effective Communication: The Franklin Transit Authority will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in Franklin Transit Authority programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.

Modifications to Policies and Procedures: The Franklin Transit Authority will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in Franklin Transit Authority offices and public transportation vehicles, even where pets are generally prohibited.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the Franklin Transit Authority, should contact the office of Mike Johnston, ADA Coordinator, 615-628-0260 or mjohnston@tmagroup.org as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.

The ADA does not require the Franklin Transit Authority to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the Franklin Transit Authority is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to Mike Johnston, ADA Coordinator, 615-628-0260 or mjohnston@tmagroup.org .

The Franklin Transit Authority will not place a surcharge on a particular disability or any group of individuals to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.

 

Grievance Procedure under The Americans with Disabilities Act
This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by the Franklin Transit Authority. The Personnel Policy Manual of the Franklin Transit Authority’s operator and manager, The TMA Group, governs employment-related complaints of disability discrimination.

The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation to:

Mike Johnston, ADA Coordinator

mjohnston@tmagroup.org

Franklin Transit Authority

708 Columbia Avenue, Franklin TN 37064

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, Mike Johnston or his designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days of the meeting, Mike Johnston or his designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape. The response will explain the position of the Franklin Transit Authority and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

If the response by Mike Johnston or his designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant and/or his/her designee may appeal the decision within 15 calendar days after receipt of the response to the Executive Director or his/her designee.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the appeal, the Executive Director or his/her designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the Executive Director or his/her designee will respond in writing and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

All written complaints received by Mike Johnston or his designee, appeals to the Executive Director of his/her designee and responses from these two offices will be retained by the Franklin Transit Authority for at least three (3) years.

 

Title VI Policy

The TMA Group in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 assures “no person 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.”

For more information on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, please visit http://www.justice.gov/crt/cor/index.php

Click Here to download Title VI documentation.

 

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)

Policy Statement: It is the policy of the Franklin Transit Authority (Franklin Transit), that businesses meeting the definition and requirements of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) as defined in 49 CFR Part 26 shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts financed in whole or in part with funds derived from the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”), Federal Transit Administration. In an effort to meet its DBE goals, Franklin Transit is fully committed to comply with 49 CFR Part 26, carrying out the statements and requirements of each section of the DBE Program as contained herein. Franklin Transit will never exclude any persons from participation in, deny any person the benefits of, or otherwise discriminate against anyone in connection with the award and performance of any contract covered by 49 CFR Part 26 on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin. In administering it DBE program, Franklin Transit will not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, use criteria or methods of administration that have the effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the program with respect to individuals of a particular race, color, sex, or national origin. The implementation of this program shall be the responsibility of the Franklin Transit Operations and Finance Vice President.

Franklin Transit DBE Program Plan: Click Here for Download

Addendum 2 – FYs 19-21 Franklin Transit Authority DBE Program Goal & Methodology: (Link to Document)

Tennessee Uniform Certification Program (TNCUP) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Directory: http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/dbedirectinternet/

For complaints pertaining to Title VI, ADA or DBE contact: info@tmagroup.org