ADA Compliance

Title VI

Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in any program or activity that receives Federal funds or other Federal financial assistance. Programs that receive Federal funds cannot distinguish among individuals on the basis of race, color or national origin, either directly or indirectly, in the types, quantity, quality or timeliness of program services, aids or benefits that they provide or the manner in which they provide them.

This prohibition applies to intentional discrimination as well as to procedures, criteria or methods of administration that appear neutral but have a discriminatory effect on individuals because of their race, color, or national origin. Policies and practices that have such an effect must be eliminated unless a recipient can show that they were necessary to achieve a legitimate nondiscriminatory objective. Even if there is such a reason the practice cannot continue if there are alternatives that would achieve the same objectives but that would exclude fewer minorities. Persons with limited English proficiency must be afforded a meaningful opportunity to participate in programs that receive Federal funds. Policies and practices may not deny or have the effect of denying persons with limited English proficiency equal access to Federally funded programs for which such persons qualify.

FILING A COMPLAINT

Granite State Independent Living has adopted the following complaint procedure for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by federal regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

Title VI complaints involving recipients and beneficiaries may be filed with Granite State Independent Living by an individual, a class, or by a third party, within 90 days from the date of the alleged discriminatory act. All such complaints should be addressed:

Deborah Ritcey, President & CEO
Granite State Independent Living
21 Chenell Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603)228-9680
[email protected]

Complaints may also be filed using our confidential compliance hotline:

http://gsil.ethicspoint.com or 844-951-5162

A complaint may also be filed with; Title VI Coordinator, New Hampshire Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 483, 7 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03302-0483. Phone number (603) 271-3734, TTY ACCESS: (800) 735-2964

ADA

Federal regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Section 504 and ADA state, in part, that “no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.”

Granite State Independent Living shall adhere to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity/affirmative action statutes and regulations. Granite State Independent Living will communicate effectively with individuals with disabilities so that they can fully participate in its programs, services, and activities; providing auxiliary communication aids or services as needed to afford equal opportunity

FILING A COMPLAINT

Issues that may warrant a grievance include, but are not limited to, a denial of a requested accommodation, the inadequacy of an accommodation, the inaccessibility of a program or activity due to disability, or discrimination or harassment based on disability.

All such complaints should be addressed:

Deborah Ritcey, President & CEO
Granite State Independent Living
21 Chenell Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603)228-9680
[email protected]

Complaints may also be filed using our confidential compliance hotline:

http://gsil.ethicspoint.com or 844-951-5162

Handling of complaints:

A complaint should be filed in writing or verbally and shall contain the name and address of the person filing it, and briefly describe the nature of the complaint and the alleged violation of the regulations.
A complaint should be filed within 30 days after complainant becomes aware of the alleged violation. Complaints received later than 30 days after complainant became aware will be dismissed as untimely.
An investigation, as may be appropriate, will follow the filing of a complaint. The investigation shall be conducted by the Compliance Department. The investigation should be a prompt, informal and thorough investigation which allows the complainant, other interested persons, and their representatives, if any, the opportunity to submit documents and information relevant to the consideration and resolution of the complaint
A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by Compliance Department, and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than 15 working days after receipt of the complaint.
Granite State Independent Living shall maintain files and records relating to complaints filed.
The complainant or the affected department can request reconsideration of the resolution if he or she is dissatisfied with the resolution. Requests for reconsideration should be made within 7 days to the Compliance Department. Compliance will defer all requests for reconsideration to GSIL’s CEO, the CEO has 30 days to respond to the request for reconsideration. Decisions of the GSIL’s CEO are final.
The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed hereunder shall not be impaired by the person’s pursuit of other remedies, such as the filing of a Section 504/ADA complaint with the responsible federal department. Use of this grievance procedure is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.
This procedure shall be construed to protect the substantive rights of interested persons, to meet due process standards, and to assure that Granite State Independent Living complies with Section 504/ADA and implementing regulations.
Retaliation against any complainant under this grievance procedure or against any person who assists a complainant in his/her pursuit of a complaint under this grievance procedure is prohibited.

Reasonable Modification Policy

The purpose of the reasonable modification policy is to ensure that Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) offers equal and effective opportunities and access to public transportation services for persons with disabilities and full compliance with the provisions of the Title II of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

FILING A COMPLAINT

If you feel you have been wrongly denied, you may file a complaint. Any person who believes that he/she
has been discriminated against on the basis of their disability may file a complaint. Complaints shall be submitted to:

Deborah Ritcey, President & CEO
Granite State Independent Living
21 Chenell Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603)228-9680
[email protected]

Complaints may also be filed using our confidential compliance hotline:

http://gsil.ethicspoint.com or 844-951-5162

Read our Reasonable Modification Policy