Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
Plan
ARISE, INC.
82 Court Square, Suite 102
Alexander City, AL 35010
256.329.8444
Introduction
This Limited English Proficiency Plan (LEP) has been prepared to address ARISE, INC.s’ responsibilities as a direct recipient of federal financial assistance as they relate to the needs of individuals with limited English skills. This plan has been prepared in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d, et seq, and it’s implementing regulations, which state that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color or nationalorigin.
Plan Summary
ARISE, INC. has developed this LEP Plan to help identify reasonable steps for providing language assistance to persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) who wish to access transit services provided by the ARISE, INC.. As defined in Executive Order 13166, LEP persons are those who do not speak English as their primary language and have limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English.
This plan outlines how to identify a person who may need language assistance, the ways in which assistance may be provided, staff training that may be required, and how to notify LEP persons that assistance is available.
How the ARISE, INC. will assist LEP person who needs language assistance:
Network with local human service organizations that provide service to LEP individuals and seek opportunities to provide information on ARISE, INC. programs and services;
Post ARISE, INC. Title VI Notice, Complaint Procedures, Complaint Form, and LEP Plan in the ARISE, INC. office
Identify in-house staff with other language abilities to assist with translation services;
Public notice, publications, and other printed material may be made available in other languages
On request and if feasible.
Placement of statements in notices and publications that interpreter services are available for meetings, with a seven day advance notice free of charge in other languages; if feasible.
Provide Language Identification Flash Cards onboard the ARISE, INC. vehicles and at the Administrative Office;
Utilize a web-based translation service application such as Google Translate http://translate.google.com/;
Utilize telephone translation services.
4. Providing Notice to LEP Persons
ARISE, IN, will provide Notice to LEP persons, both oral and written communications:
Offer general information, such as operation hours, fares, etc., on the ARISE, INC. customer service line;
PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH IF FEASIBLE UPON REQUEST
Introduction section of the ARISE, INC. brochure which contains information on fares, passenger rules and hours of operation.
Onboard flyers containing information about route changes, rider, fare increases and public hearings;
Title VI Notice, Complaint Procedures and Complaint Form.
5. Monitoring and Updating the LEP PLAN
This plan is designed to be flexible, and should be viewed as a work in progress. As such, it is important to consider whether new documents and services need to be made accessible for LEP persons, and also to monitor changes in demographics and types of services.
ARISE, INC. will update the LEP as required by U.S. DOT. At a minimum, the plan will be reviewed and updated when data from the most recent U.S. Census is made available, or when clear and higher concentrations of LEP individuals are present in the ARISE, INC. service area and/or during the process of updating Title VI Program.
How the ARISE, INC. will examine and update its’ LEP PLAN:
Determine how the needs of LEP persons have been addressed;
Determine the current LEP population in the service area and whether the need for translation services has changed;
Determine whether local language assistance programs have been effective and sufficient to meet the need;
Determine whether transit systems financial resources are sufficient to fund language assistance resources needed;
Determine whether the ARISE, INC. has fully complied with the goals of the LEP Plan
Determine whether complaints have been received concerning the company’s failure to meet the needs of the LEP individuals.
Dissemination of the ARISE, INC. LEP Plan
How the LEP Plan will be disseminated to customers and the community:
The LEP Plan and the Title VI Plan will be at the ARISE, INC. any person may request a copy of the plan via telephone, fax, mail or in person, and shall be provided a copy of the plan at no cost. LEP individuals may request that plans are translated in various languages which the ARISE, INC. will provide, if feasible.
Questions of comments regarding the LEP Plan may be submitted to the ARISE, INC., at the following:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
82 COURT SQUARE
ALEXANDER CITY, AL 35010
256.329.8444