SDDOT / Legal / Civil Rights / Title VI

Title VI requires that no person in the United States shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age and disability, as protected groups, be excluded from participation in, denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity for which the recipient receives Federal assistance.

DOT has a Title VI Policy & Plan that governs DOT employees and all programs receiving federal assistance within the department. (Title VI Assurance - Word or Adobe PDF)

Promoting a hostile work environment is covered by Title VI. If an employee feels they are being harassed or discriminated against due to sex, race, disability, etc., the workplace may be deemed as a hostile work environment. Things like jokes and slang may seem minor to the employee, while another employee may find them offensive, therefore creating a hostile work environment.

All calls on discrimination or harassment should be directed to June Hansen at 605-773-3540 or by e-mail at june.hansen@state.sd.us.. (Phone is answered 24 hours a day.)

Limited English Proficiency Executive Order is a new area of Title VI. This executive order is designed to ensure meaningful participation in Federal and federally assisted programs and activities by individuals with limited English proficiency. When federal-aid is involved, there is to be an effort to reduce the language barrier by providing information or services in other languages. This can be done through various methods including bilingual printed materials or by use of an interpreter.

The EEO #1 is now available in Spanish for those contractors and subcontractors with Spanish Speaking employees. As new EEO and Labor Compliance posters are translated into Spanish they will be made available for the use by the Area Offices. Any contractor who has need of EEO or Labor Compliance posters or information in a language other than English should contact the Area Office or the Civil Rights Office at 605-773-3540 or by e-mail june.hansen@state.sd.us.