Public Participation Plan

Our 2024 Public Participation Plan will guide public involvement for the next five years. This plan includes objectives, strategies, and measurement tools for the Lake~Sumter MPO public involvement program. This program provides a proactive approach to information and input in the planning process. Stay Connected, Stay informed.

Additional Resources:

DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PLAN

The objectives of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program are: 

  • To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department's highway, transit, and airport financial assistance programs;
  • To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts; 
  • To ensure that the Department DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;  
  • To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs; to help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts;
  • To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE program; and

To provide appropriate flexibility to recipients of federal financial assistance in establishing and providing opportunities for DBEs.

Limited English Proficiency Plan 

To prevent employment discrimination at DOT, individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), are entitled to language assistance with respect to a particular type of service, benefit, or encounter.

Most individuals living in the United States read, write, speak, and understand English. There are many individuals, however, for whom English is not their primary language. The 2000 census shows that 26 million individuals speak Spanish and almost 7 million individuals speak an Asian or Pacific Island language at home. If these individuals have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English, they are limited English proficient, or “LEP.”

In a 2001 Supplementary Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, 33% of Spanish speakers and 22.4% of all Asian and Pacific Island language speakers aged 18–64 reported that they spoke English either “not well” or “not at all.”

Language for LEP individuals can be a barrier to accessing important DOT employment benefits or services, understanding and exercising important employment rights, complying with applicable responsibilities, or understanding other information provided by federally funded programs and activities. The Federal Government funds an array of services that can be made meaningfully accessible to otherwise eligible LEP persons in order to prevent employment discrimination. The Federal Government is committed to improving the accessibility of these programs and activities to eligible LEP persons, a goal that reinforces its equally important commitment to promoting programs and activities designed to help individuals learn English.

Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibits discrimination based upon race, color, and national origin. Specifically, 42 USC 2000d states that “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” The use of the word “person” is important as the protections afforded under Title VI apply to anyone, regardless of whether the individual is lawfully present in the United States or a citizen of a State within the United States. For more information on the Federal Title VI Program please click here.

Any person or any specific class of persons, by themselves or by a representative, that believes they have been subjected to discrimination or retaliation prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and related statutes may file a Title VI Complaint.

Title VI Training Resources 

Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 504

The primary purpose of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) ADA/504 program is to ensure that pedestrians with disabilities have an equal opportunity to use public rights-of-way and facilities. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on disability by public entities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination based on disability in federally assisted programs.

Any person who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination or retaliation prohibited by the ADA and/or Section 504 may file a complaint by clicking the link below.

For more information on the Federal ADA/504 Program please click here.