File a discrimination complaint about PBOT

Discrimination policy at PBOT, explained

It is the policy of the City of Portland to prevent discrimination based on race, gender, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, familial status, mental or physical disability, source of income, and other such protected classes.

This adheres to city, state, and federal policies including:

• Civil Rights Title VI
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II
• Oregon Revised Statute 659A.403 (Discrimination in place of public accommodations prohibited)
• Portland City Code Title 23 (Civil Rights)

By law, these policies extend to the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), its staff, as well as PBOT contractors, and other recipients of federal funds.

Any individual, group, or organization who believes they have been discriminated against or denied benefits of any PBOT program, service, or activity, may file a complaint directly to PBOT. Below are the steps to follow while filing a discrimination complaint.

By federal law, Civil Right Title VI and ADA Title II complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination or when the complainant became aware of the alleged discrimination. State and city policy may provide more time to file complaints under certain categories.

Final note: discrimination in hiring or employment is not covered by this form. To learn more about filing a discrimination complaint regarding hiring or employment by the City of Portland, please visit our Equal Employment page at HRAR-2.02 - Prohibition Against Workplace Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation Rule.

Step 1: Compile your information

To file a discrimination complaint against PBOT, its staff, its contractors, or other recipient of state and federal funds, we’ll need some basic information from you along with the nature of your complaint. This allows us to follow up with you, document your complaint and direct it to appropriate staff, as well as report it to relevant city, state, and federal agencies, if applicable.

Before you compile your information, please let us know if you require an accommodation or language assistance to complete our form or file a complaint. To request these services, contact 503-823-4185 or TTY via Oregon Relay Service: 711.

For complaints, please provide us with the information listed below, either through the form linked below, or via mail, email, or by phone. If you want to deliver your complaint in person, we ask that you contact staff through the contact information at the top of this page first to check whether city facilities are open to the public and the best way to drop off in person given current Covid restrictions.

Information to include in your complaint. Sections with an asterisks (*) are required:

• *Confidentiality. Information you provide to us is considered a public record and may be subject to release under Oregon’s Public Records Law. This law classifies certain information as available to the public, on request. See Portland’s privacy

  policy for more information. It is PBOT’s policy to keep the information you provide to us confidential to the greatest extent possible, subject to Oregon Public Records Law. If you would like to waive confidentiality, please indicate that on the form or in writing.

• *Contact information for person filing the complaint. This may be a third party. Provide your name, a phone number, address, and an email so we may document your complaint and follow up with you. If a third party, please indicate whether you obtained permission to file on their behalf and your relationship to those that experienced the discrimination. You must sign and date your complaint.
• Names of those discriminated against. Provide all names of individuals, groups, communities, and/or organizations you allege were discriminated against. You may file a complaint on someone else’s behalf, but please confirm for us you’ve gotten their permission to do so.
• *Description of the incident. When and where did the alleged discrimination occur? Who or what department (or city contractor) did the alleged discrimination? Describe the alleged discrimination as clearly as possible, in your own words. Take as much space as you need.
• *Type of discrimination. What is the basis of the alleged discrimination? Please list ALL that may apply. This helps us determine if this discrimination falls under federal Civil Rights Title VI, federal ADA Title II, and/or other state law or local ordinances:
  • Race/color
  • National origin
  • English proficiency
  • Disability
  • Religion
  • Non religion
  • Sex
  • Marital status
  • Familial status
  • Age
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity or expression
  • Source of income
  • Other (please describe)
• Witnesses and supplemental material. If there were additional witnesses, please provide their names and contact information. Feel free to provide copies of any other material you feel is relevant to your complaint.
• Desired outcome. Describe any action or resolution you would like to see taken.
• *Names of other agencies you’ve filed with. Please let us know if you have filed your complaint with any other federal, state, or local agencies, or within any federal or state court.
• *Signature and date from the complainant. Please provide a date and signature (or printed name). By signing and submitting the information you send us, you affirm that the information provided, and all supplemental materials, are true to the best of your knowledge.

Step 2: Download our form OR send us your complaint in writing

We have provided a simple, fillable PDF form for your complaint. You may download that at the link below. If this form is not accessible to you, or you require language assistance, contact 503-823-4185 or TTY via Oregon Relay Service: 711.

Completed forms should be emailed to PBOT Equity & Inclusion team at , at PBOTEquityTeam@portlandoregon.gov.

As an alternative, you may provide the same information outlined in Step 1 in a letter or email to:

Portland Bureau of Transportation

Attn: Equity & Inclusion Manager

1120 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 1331

Portland, OR 97204

503-823-8094

PBOTEquityTeam@portlandoregon.gov

Complaints may be filed with other bureaus by calling our main city/county referral line at 503-823-4000.

Filing complaints with other agencies

Discrimination complaints against PBOT are reported to the city’s Office of Equity & Human Rights, as well as all relevant state and federal agencies, if applicable. This may include the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), since PBOT receives funding from these federal transportation agencies.

Please note, however, that our form does not preclude anyone from filing complaints directly with other city, state, or federal agencies, as appropriate.