Procedure for Filing a Title VI Complaint

How to file a Title VI complaint with Gateway Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America (Gateway PVA):

  1. Request a complaint form through email or written correspondence to Gateway PVA, make a verbal request to a driver, request a form from a board member, or download the form from this link.

  2. In addition to the complaint process at Gateway PVA, complaints may be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights, Region 7, Federal Transit Administration, 901 Locust St., Suite 404, Kansas City, MO 64106, Ph:816-329-3920 or by fax at 816-329-3921.

  3. Complaints must be filed within 180 days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence and should contain as much detailed information about the alleged discrimination as possible.

  4. The form must be signed and dated, and include your contact information. If information is needed in another language, call 314-427-0393.

The complaint procedures apply to the beneficiaries of Gateway PVA Transportation programs, activities, and services.

RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT
Any person who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by the GPVA Transportation Program may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency's Title VI Complaint Form. Title VI complaints must be received in writing within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory incident.

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT
Information on how to file a Title VI complaint is posted on our agency's website, and in public areas of our agency. You may download the Gateway PVA Transportation Program Title VI Complaint Form at this link or request a copy by writing to:

Gateway Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America
1311 Lindbergh Plaza Center
St. Louis, MO 63132

Information on how to file a Title VI complaint may also be obtained by calling the Gateway PVA office at 314-427-0393 or emailing info@gatewaypva.org.

You may file a signed, dated complaint no more than 180 days from the date of the alleged incident. The complaint should include:

  • Your name, address and telephone number.

  • Specific, detailed information (how, why and when) about the alleged act of discrimination.

  • Any other relevant information, including the names of any persons, if known, the agency should contact for clarity of the allegations.

Please submit your complaint form to:

Gateway Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America
1311 Lindbergh Plaza Center
St. Louis, MO 63132

COMPLAINT ACCEPTANCE
Gateway PVA will process complaints that are complete. Once a completed Title VI Complaint Form is received, the Executive Director will review it to determine if Gateway PVA has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing them whether or not the complaint will be investigated by the Gateway PVA Board of Directors.

INVESTIGATIONS
The Gateway PVA Board of Directors will generally complete an investigation within 90 days from receipt of a completed complaint form. If more information is needed to resolve the case, the Board of Directors may contact the complainant. Unless a longer period is specified by the Board of Directors, the complainant will have ten (10) days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the Board of Directors investigator assigned to the case. If the requested information is not received within that timeframe, the case will be closed. Also, a case can be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue the case.

LETTERS OF CLOSURE OR FINDING
After the Title VI investigator reviews the complaint, the investigator will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or 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. A Letter of Finding (LOF) summarizes the allegations and provides an explanation of the corrective action taken.

If the complainant disagrees with the Gateway PVA Board of Directors’ determination, the complainant may request reconsideration by submitting the request in writing to the Title VI investigator within seven (7) days after the date of the letter of closure or letter of finding, stating with specificity the basis for the reconsideration. The Board of Directors will notify the complainant of the decision either to accept or reject the request for reconsideration within ten (10) days. In cases where reconsideration is granted, the Gateway PVA President will issue a determination letter to the complainant upon completion of the reconsideration review.

Complaints may also be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration:

FTA Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E.
Washington, DC 20590

If information is needed in another language, contact:

Gateway Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America
1311 Lindbergh Plaza Center
St. Louis, MO 63132

314-427-0393
info@gatewaypva.org