THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a landmark federal legislation that opens up services and employment opportunities to millions of Americans with disabilities. The ADA affects access to employment, state and local government programs and services, transportation, and places of public accommodation such as businesses, non-profit service providers, and telecommunications.

UCP of Hudson County ADA COMMITMENT AND COMPLIANCE
UCP of Hudson County is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its services based on their disability, as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

UCP of Hudson County management, all supervisors, and employees share direct responsibility for carrying out UCP of Hudson County’s commitment to the ADA. UCP of Hudson County Administration ensures accountability in this commitment and supports all parts of the organization in meeting their respective ADA obligations. UCP’s Administration coordinates internally with all appropriate offices in the investigation of complaints of discrimination and takes a lead role in responding to requests for information about UCP of Hudson County’s civil rights obligations and operations.

ADA Complaints
If you wish to file an ADA complaint of discrimination with UCP of Hudson County, please contact Keith J Kearney at 201-436-2200 or 721 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002.

What Happens to my ADA Complaint of Discrimination to UCP of Hudson County?
All ADA complaints of discrimination received by UCP of Hudson County are routed to UCP of Hudson County’s Administrative Offices for prompt investigation and resolution. All complaints will be investigated so long as they are received within 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. UCP of Hudson County will provide appropriate assistance (online and otherwise) to complainants who are limited in their ability to communicate in English or require accommodation. Complainants will be requested to leave contact information for follow-up about their complaints.

UCP of Hudson County aims to complete investigations into all complaints received within 90 days of receipt. In instances where additional information is needed to complete an investigation, the investigator will contact the complainant using the contact information provided. Failure of the complainant to provide contact information or any requested additional information may result in a delay in resolution or the administrative closure of the complaint. UCP of Hudson County has a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination and will take appropriate corrective measures in all instances where a violation of UCP of Hudson County’s non-discrimination policy has been established.

Once a complaint investigation is complete, complainants will receive a notice of finding via their preferred/available mode of contact (phone, E-mail, U.S. post, etc.). If no contact information is provided, a note regarding the outcome of the investigation will be saved on file for a minimum of three years. Complainants can contact UCP of Hudson County’s Administrative office at 201-436-2200 at any time to check on the status of their complaint.

Filing a Complaint Directly to the Federal Transit Administration:

A complainant may choose to file a Title VI complaint with the Federal Transit Administration by contacting the Administration at:

Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

Further questions about UCP of Hudson County ADA Obligations

For additional information on UCP of Hudson County’s non-discrimination obligations and other responsibilities related to ADA, please call 201-436-2200 or write to:
UCP of Hudson County
721 Broadway
Bayonne, NJ 07002

Reasonable Modification Policy

UCP of Hudson County recognizes that disabilities are as diverse as the individuals they serve and recognizes the need to make reasonable modifications to its policies, regarding assistance offered to passengers who may require additional assistance to use its services.

Under Title II of the ADA, state and local governments are required to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination.

For those riders who require additional assistance, UCP of Hudson County will endeavor to accommodate all reasonable modification requests for such assistance by following procedures outlined below:

Riders must inform UCP of Hudson County of the need and specific type of additional assistance requested at the time ride reservation is made.
Reservationist will advise Dispatcher of the specific rider need/request. Dispatcher will log the information within the client information system and determine the resources required to accommodate rider.
The Dispatcher will evaluate the request and report to the Director of Transportation whether the request is reasonable to perform.
If the Director of Transportation deems the service requested to be unreasonable to perform or to repeat on a regular basis, he/she must cite specific reasoning to support the finding and inform the Executive Director.
If UCP of Hudson County concurs with the finding of the Transportation Director the rider must be so informed via phone call at least 48 hours before the requested/scheduled trip. The finding must also be communicated to the rider expeditiously by written correspondence.
Riders may appeal any such decisions by following established ADA grievance procedures. Complaints that a County program, service or activity is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to the Executive Director at 201-436-2200.
A Complainant may also file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation by contacting the Department at: US Department of Transportation, Office of Civil Rights,

Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

Title VI Information

Title VI Notice to the Public

UCP of Hudson County, Inc. operates its program and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. Any person who believes that he or she has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint in writing to UCP of Hudson County. To file a complaint, or for more information on UCP of Hudson County’s obligations under Title VI write to: UCP of Hudson County, 721 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002 or visit www.ucpofhudsoncounty.org. Transportation services provided by this agency are in part funded through federal funds received through NJ Transit and as an individual you also have the right to file your complaint to both UCP of Hudson County as well as the Federal Transit Administration. Complaints may also be filed with the Federal Transit Administration in writing and may be addressed to: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR,
US Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington DC 20590

If information is needed in another language, contact 201-436-2200.

Título VI aviso al público
UCP of Hudson County opera sus programas y servicios sin importar raza, color o origen nacional según el título VI de la ley de derechos civiles de 1964 enmendada. Cualquier persona que cree que él o ella ha sido agraviado por cualquier práctica discriminatoria ilegal bajo el título VI puede presentar una queja por escrito al oficial de cumplimiento corporativo de UCP of Hudson Country. Para presentar una queja o para obtener más información sobre las obligaciones de capacidades bajo el Titulo VI escribir: UCP of Hudson County, 721 Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002 o visita www.ucpofhudsoncounty.org. Servicios de transporte prestados por esta agencia son total o parcialmente financiado mediante fondos federales recibidos a través de NJ TRANSIT y como individuo también tiene el derecho a presentar su queja con la Administración Federal de tránsito escribiendo a: Coordinadora del programa Título VI, edificio este, 5 º piso – TCR, los E.E.U.U. Departamento del transporte, FTA, Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Si necesita información en otro idioma, comuníquese con: 201-436-2200.

Note: This information is posted in all FTA funded vehicles used to operate UCP of Hudson County’s Transportation Program and on UCP of Hudson County’s website. It is also provided in large print format.

Click for Form