Non-discriminaton policy for PATH Hotline Callers
Individuals eligible for receiving services from PATH are protected by various laws, regulations, rules and policies against unlawful discrimination on the basiss of race, color, religion, disability, age, sex, and nation origin.
What is discrimination?
Discrimination is a direct action, whether purposeful or not, which results in unequal treatment of people. Persons cannot because of their race, color, religion, disability, age, sex, national origin or political affiliation:
- Be denied or delayed any service, aid or other benefit provided under a PATH program.
- Be subjected to segregation or disaparate treatment in a PATH program.
- Be given services in humiliating or embarrising ways.
- Be provided services using different rules to decide who will get help.
- Be limited in the use of buildings, rooms or other space in a way that denies individual participation or access.
- Be denied accesss to a service because building or their facilities are not physically accessible to persons with disabilities or because there was not means of effective communication with the serivce provider.
The key words are: "because of." If you are denied or delayed equal service and you think it was because of your race, color, religion, disability, age, gender or national origin, you may have been subjected to unlawful discrimination. There is a difference between lawful and unlawful denial or delayed of benefits and/or serivces. Persons may be denied benefits and/or services if they do nt meet the eligibility requirements. This is not unlawful, nor discriminatory.
Persons with disabilities:
It is policy of PATH to comply with all relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Those individuals who have a hearing or visual impairment are also protected against discrimination. Accommodations may include providing qualified interpreters, oral translation and/or written translation of documents. Accomodation will be provided free of charge.
How do I file a complaint?
If you believe that you have been denied or delayed services for which you are eligible because of your reace, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability or age, you must file your complaint within 6 months of the date on which the incident or treatment happened. If the complaint is submitted in writing, you must include the time, place, persons involved, the nature of the complaint, evidence of discrimination, your name, address and phone number. Complaints are submitted to the Executive Director who will fully investigate the complaint in a timely manner with no unreasonable delays. The complaint will be kept confidential and there will be no retaliation for the complaint. If the complaint is against the Executive Director, the complaint should be submitted to the Board of Directors Personnel Commitee throught the Board President.
Submit complaints by phone or in writing to:
Karen Zangerle
Executive Director
PATH
201 E. Grove Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Telephone: (309) 834-0500
Fax: (309) 827-7485
Jerry Caldwell
Board President
PATH
201 E. Grove Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Fax: (309) 827-7485
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