LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or discriminated against under its projects, programs or activities on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex or age, as provided in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and 49 United States Code Section 5332.
How Do I File a Title VI Complaint?
If you believe you have been discriminated against, you may file a signed, written complaint within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the date of alleged discrimination. The complaint should include the following information:
Title VI Complaint Procedures
As a recipient of federal dollars, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is required to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and ensure that services and benefits are provided on a non-discriminatory basis. LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has in place a Title VI Complaint Procedure, which outlines a process for local disposition of Title VI complaints and is consistent with guidelines found in the Federal Transit Administration Circular 4702.1B, dated October 1, 2012.
Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form. LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will only process complaints that are complete.
Within 10 business days of receiving the complaint, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will review it to determine if our office has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by our office. LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has 30 days to investigate the complaint. The complainant will be notified in writing of the cause to any planned extension to the 30-day rule.
If more information is needed to resolve the case, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired may contact the complainant. The complainant has 10 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 10 business days, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired can administratively close the case.
A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case. After the investigator reviews the complaint, she/he will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. An LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action will occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, she/he has 10 business days after the date of the letter or the LOF to do so.
A person may also file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration, at FTA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
- Your name, address and how to contact you (e.g. telephone number, e-mail address, etc.)
- Complaints shall state, as fully as possible, the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged discrimination: How, when, where and why you believe you were discriminated against. Include the location, names and contact information of any witnesses.
All complaints must be signed by the complainant or their representative.
LightHouse Title VI Complaint Form
The complaint may be filed in writing:
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Attention: Scott Blanks, Vice President of Programs
1155 Market Street, 10th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Email: SBlanks@lighthouse-sf.org
Phone: 415-694-7371
Complaint Assistance
A LightHouse representative will assist with writing a complaint if the complainant is unable to do so. We will accommodate any language requirement and will provide accessible formats and accommodations.
Complainants may also file a Title VI complaint with an external entity such as DRMT or FTA at the offices identified below:
Division of Rail and Mass Transportation
Office of Civil Rights
Attn: Title VI Branch Manager
1823 14th Street, MS 79
Sacramento, CA 95811
Email: Title.VI@dot.ca.gov
Phone: 916-324-8379
Website: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/civil-rights/title-vi
Federal Transit Administration
FTA Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
Washington, DC 20590
If information is needed in another language, contact 415-431-1481 or info@lighthouse-sf.org.
Updated March 2023
