Non-Discrimination

About Non-Discrimination

WTA provides services and employment on a non-discriminatory basis, and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. We also comply with the State of Washington Freedom from discrimination—Declaration of civil rights, RCW 49.60.030.

Title VI

WTA complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which states:

“No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

If you believe you have been discriminated against by WTA on the basis of your race, color or national origin, you have the right to file a complaint with WTA.

For more information on WTA's civil rights program and the procedure to file a complaint, contact (360) 676-7433. For the hearing impaired, call 711.

Title VI Report

WTA's Title VI report can be found here.

Title VI Compliant Procedure

Any person who believes she or he has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting WTA’s Title VI Complaint Form.

WTA investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. WTA will process complaints that are complete. Once the complaint is received, WTA will review it to determine if our office has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by our office. WTA has 30 days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the case, WTA may contact the complainant. The complainant has 15 business days from the date of the letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 15 business days, WTA can administratively close the case. A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wished to pursue their case.

After the investigator reviews the complaint, she/he will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and the case will be closed. An LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action will occur. If the complainant wished to appeal the decision, she/he has 30 days after the date of the letter or the LOF to do so.

A person may also file a complaint directly with Federal Transit Administration, at:

FTA Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590

If information is needed in another language, please contact (360)-676-7433.

Freedom from discrimination—Declaration of civil rights (RCW 49.60.030)

WTA complies with Washington State's Freedom from discrimination—Declaration of civil rights which states: (1) The right to be free from discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation*, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability is recognized as and declared to be a civil right. This right shall include, but not be limited to:(a) The right to obtain and hold employment without discrimination;(b) The right to the full enjoyment of any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, or privileges of any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement;(c) The right to engage in real estate transactions without discrimination, including discrimination against families with children;(d) The right to engage in credit transactions without discrimination;(e) The right to engage in insurance transactions or transactions with health maintenance organizations without discrimination: PROVIDED, That a practice which is not unlawful under RCW 48.30.300, 48.44.220, or 48.46.370 does not constitute an unfair practice for the purposes of this subparagraph;(f) The right to engage in commerce free from any discriminatory boycotts or blacklists. Discriminatory boycotts or blacklists for purposes of this section shall be defined as the formation or execution of any express or implied agreement, understanding, policy or contractual arrangement for economic benefit between any persons which is not specifically authorized by the laws of the United States and which is required or imposed, either directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, by a foreign government or foreign person in order to restrict, condition, prohibit, or interfere with or in order to exclude any person or persons from any business relationship on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or national origin, citizenship or immigration status, or lawful business relationship: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That nothing herein contained shall prohibit the use of boycotts as authorized by law pertaining to labor disputes and unfair labor practices; and(g) The right of a mother to breastfeed her child in any place of public resort, accommodation, assemblage, or amusement.(2) Any person deeming himself or herself injured by any act in violation of this chapter shall have a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin further violations, or to recover the actual damages sustained by the person, or both, together with the cost of suit including reasonable attorneys' fees or any other appropriate remedy authorized by this chapter or the United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, or the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3601 et seq.).(3) Except for any unfair practice committed by an employer against an employee or a prospective employee, or any unfair practice in a real estate transaction which is the basis for relief specified in the amendments to RCW 49.60.225 contained in chapter 69, Laws of 1993, any unfair practice prohibited by this chapter which is committed in the course of trade or commerce as defined in the Consumer Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW, is, for the purpose of applying that chapter, a matter affecting the public interest, is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business, and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce.[ 2020 c 52 § 4; 2009 c 164 § 1; 2007 c 187 § 3; 2006 c 4 § 3; 1997 c 271 § 2; 1995 c 135 § 3. Prior: 1993 c 510 § 3; 1993 c 69 § 1; 1984 c 32 § 2; 1979 c 127 § 2; 1977 ex.s. c 192 § 1; 1974 ex.s. c 32 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 214 § 3; 1973 c 141 § 3; 1969 ex.s. c 167 § 2; 1957 c 37 § 3; 1949 c 183 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 7614-21.]* Sexual orientation" means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender expression or identity. As used in this definition, "gender expression or identity" means having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression, whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior, or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth.