Know Your Rights
Federal protections that guarantee your voice in transportation decisions
Federal law provides strong protections for communities affected by transportation decisions. These laws ensure that all people, regardless of race, income, language, or disability, have the right to participate in and benefit from transportation investments. Understanding these rights is the first step to using them effectively.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
"No person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program receiving federal financial assistance on the basis of race, color, or national origin."
What This Means for You
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the most important federal protections for communities involved in transportation decisions. Because nearly every transportation agency in the Inland Empire receives federal funding, Title VI applies to virtually all transportation projects, programs, and activities in the region. This means that agencies must provide meaningful access to their programs for all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. It also means that agencies must provide language access services (translation and interpretation) for people with limited English proficiency (LEP). In the Inland Empire, where over 40% of residents speak a language other than English at home, this protection is especially critical.
Your Rights
The right to participate in transportation planning in a language you understand
The right to access public meetings, hearings, and comment periods without discrimination
The right to receive translated documents and interpretation services at public meetings
The right to have your community's needs considered equally in project selection and funding decisions
The right to file a complaint if you believe you have been discriminated against
The right to be free from retaliation for filing a complaint or participating in an investigation
Real-World Example
A transportation agency holds a public meeting about a new highway project that will affect a predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhood. Under Title VI, the agency must provide meeting notices in Spanish, offer Spanish interpretation at the meeting, and translate key project documents. If the agency fails to do this, affected community members can file a Title VI complaint with the agency or directly with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
How to Take Action
Document the Issue
Write down what happened, when, where, and who was involved. Keep copies of any notices, letters, or communications.
Contact the Agency
Start by contacting the agency's Title VI coordinator. Every agency that receives federal funding must have one. Ask for the complaint form.
File a Written Complaint
Submit your complaint in writing within 180 days of the discriminatory act. Include your name, address, phone number, and a description of what happened.
File with FHWA or FTA
If the agency does not resolve your complaint, you can file directly with the Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration. You can also file with the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Resources
In the Inland Empire
The Inland Empire is home to over 4.6 million residents across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. With significant Latino, Black, Asian, and Indigenous populations, strong civil rights protections are essential. Over 40% of IE residents speak a language other than English at home, and many communities face disproportionate environmental burdens from freight transportation and warehousing.
This guidance is adapted from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Every Place Counts Leadership Academy Transportation Toolkit, Part 2: Your Rights and Responsibilities. Learn more at transportation.gov/LeadershipAcademy