2017 Civil Rights Virtual Symposium
Speaking with One Voice: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
May 17 & 18, 2017
The symposium is a two-day virtual event that will connect stakeholders, themes, and perspectives across the civil rights transportation community. The 2017 theme is “Speaking with One Voice: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future.” The Symposium will focus on principles of civil rights, diversity, and inclusion all while acknowledging the achievements of past work to advance the cause of equity and opportunity. The sessions will explore emerging issues in the transportation and civil rights communities that will assist in the innovative development of new policies that will help transform the future of transportation.
To register for the Symposium, please visit: http://bit.ly/2017DOTSymposium
Welcome Session
Introduction to the 2017 Civil Rights Virtual Symposium: The Road Before Us
Target Audience – All participants
Goal and Description – The goal of this session is to welcome participants, provide an overview of civil rights in transportation, and describe the topics to be covered in the symposium.
Time – 30 minutes
Presenter – Leslie Proll, Director, Departmental Office of Civil Rights
Title VI Sessions
Building Blocks: Introduction to Title VI
Target Audience – All participants
Goal and Description – The goal of this session is to foster an understanding of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) as it relates to transportation. Understanding the basic elements of Title VI is fundamental to planning and implementing projects that include all individuals and communities. The presenters will provide an overview of the legal principles of Title VI, how and where Title VI situations manifest themselves in transportation, and general Title VI compliance requirements.
Time – 1 hour
Moderator – Leslie Proll, Director, Departmental Office of Civil Rights
Panelists
- Howard Caro-Lopez, Civil Rights Analyst, Equity and Access Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights
- Sharice Davids, White House Fellow, Department of Transportation
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Lead Civil Rights Analyst, Equity and Access Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights
- Jon Ocana, Equal Opportunity Specialist, Policy, Education and Training Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights
Best Practices for Addressing Title VI in Transportation Projects
Target Audience – DOT Employees and Recipients
Goal and Description – The goal of this session is to highlight the development and implementation of Title VI best practices. A moderated panel of DOT civil rights staff and DOT recipients will discuss their real-world experiences with transportation projects and how to incorporate Title VI principles early to avoid unnecessary delay and costs. This session will share best practices rooted in wide applicability and maximum benefit to recipients and the public.
Time – 1 hour
Moderator – Jon Ocana, Equal Opportunity Specialist, Policy, Education and Training Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights
Presenters
- John Lozada, Manager of Federal Programs, Office of Diversity and Civil Rights, Massachusetts Department of Transportation
- Kevin Resler, National Title VI Program Coordinator, Federal Highway Administration, Headquarters Office of Civil Rights
- Dawn Sweet, Director, Headquarters Operations Division, Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights
Understanding Language Access in 2017
Target Audience – All participants
Goal and Description – The goal of this session is to provide tools for participants to more effectively communicate and engage with diverse limited English proficient communities. Information covered will include language-mapping tools, tips for developing and maintaining multilingual websites that are accessible for LEP populations, and ways to engage LEP communities in the transportation planning process.
Time – 1 hour
Presenters
- Laura Godfrey, Product Manager, USAGov, Chair, Federal Multilingual Websites Committee, GSA
- Laureen Laglagaron, Attorney Advisor, Federal Coordination and Compliance Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
- John Lozada, Manager of Federal Programs, Office of Diversity and Civil Rights,
- Massachusetts Department of Transportation
- Gregory Sobczynski, Title VI Specialist, Office of Diversity and Civil Rights, MassDOT
ADA Sessions
Innovation and Emerging Technologies To Advance Universal Transportation
Target Audience – All participants
Goal and Description – The goal for this session is to promote awareness and begin a discussion of technological changes that are reshaping how transportation is provided, helping to ensure everyone can travel independently. The presenters will provide an overview of research, demonstration projects, and a discussion of successes and challenges with mobility on demand demonstration projects.
Time – 1 hour
Moderator – Peggy Griffin, Regional Civil Rights Officer, Federal Transit Administration, detailed to the Departmental Office of Civil Rights
Panelists
- Rik Opstelten, Office of Mobility Innovation, Federal Transit Administration
- Ben Schutzman, Director of Transportation Innovation, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Understanding the Rules Regarding Service Animals on Air Travel
Target Audience – All participants
Goal and Description – The goal of this session is for participants to develop a better understanding of the regulatory requirements regarding service animals in air travel. Department of Transportation and Transportation Security Administration experts will provide an overview of the current state of rules and procedures concerning service animals at airports and in air travel.
Time – 1 hour
Moderator – Jonathan Klein, Team Lead, FAA Airport Disability Compliance Program, Federal Aviation Administration
Panelists
- Meagan Johnson, Attorney, DOT Office of General Counsel
- Supriya Raman, PhD., Senior Policy Advisor, Disability Branch, Transportation Security Administration
DBE Sessions
Expectations for Submitting, Documenting, and Evaluating Good Faith Efforts in the DBE Program
Target Audience –DOT Recipients, Prime Contractors, and DBE Firms
Goal and Description – The goal of this session is to educate DOT recipients, primary contractors, and DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) firms about the DBE regulation’s Good Faith Efforts provisions regarding DBE participation on projects. These include guiding principles, evaluation factors, low-bid and design-build scenarios, reconsideration requirements, and more. This session is primarily intended for an experienced audience, but conference attendees learning about Good Faith Efforts for the first time will benefit as well.
Time – 1 hour
Presenters
- Martha Kenley, National Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Manager, Federal Highway Administration
- Aarathi Haig, Equal Opportunity Specialist, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights
Interstate Certification Challenges in the DBE Program
Target Audience – DBE/ACDBE Firms and Certifiers
Goal and Description – To decrease the burden on certified DBEs and ACDBE firms, the Department recently streamlined its certification procedures for businesses seeking certification in multiple states. This session will discuss this development in detail and address common misunderstandings regarding the application process for firms and certifiers.
Time – 1 hour
Presenters
- Samuel Brooks, DBE Appeals Team Lead, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights
- Marc Pentino, Lead Equal Opportunity Specialist, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights
Title VII Sessions
Building a More Respectful Workplace: The Imperative to Address Harassment
Target Audience – All participants
Goal and Description – The goal of this training is to heighten awareness of the need to address all forms of harassment in the workplace. Quality education and training are critical to effective anti-harassment programs and creating a workplace environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Time – 1 hour
Presenters
- John Cunningham, Employee and Labor Relations Program Manager, Office of the Secretary of Transportation
- Carol Miaskoff, Office of Legal Counsel, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Recent Developments on LGBTQ Issues for the Federal Workforce and Workplace
Target Audience – All participants
Goal and Description – The goal of this session is to update participants on recent case law and regulatory developments affecting LGBTQ applicants and employees in the federal workplace. Topics covered will include legal protections for employees and frequently asked questions for management and employees.
Time – 1 hour
Presenter – Chai Feldblum, Commissioner, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Moving the Dial: Leadership Behaviors For Promoting Inclusive Organizations
Target Audience – All participants
Goal and Description – The goal of this session is for participants to recognize and value the critical behaviors leaders engage in to build and maintain inclusive and diverse organizational environments. Aspects of leadership discussed will include communication, perspective sharing, and accountability.
Time – 1 hour
Presenters
- Michael Rawlings, Program Director, Eastern Management Development Center, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
- Stan Hammonds, Lead Training Program Analyst, Policy, Education and Training Division, Departmental Office of Civil Rights