The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is fully committed to ensuring the protection of individuals from discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, age, disability or color in all transportation programs and activities that receive federal assistance, in accordance with federal law under Title VI of the U.S. Civil Rights Act OF 1964, as amended. As a recipient of federal aid SHA, along with its subrecipients and contractors, must prevent both intentional and unintentional discrimination across all programs and activities.

SHA will not, on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability, either directly or through contractual means, do any of these actions:

Each federal financial aid subrecipient, such as a local public agency, local government, or grantee, is required to administer its program and activities without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability.

The SHA Title VI Implementation Plan outlines how we make sure our programs comply with Title VI. It informs both the public and our internal staff about the steps we take to review projects and ensure compliance. It also guides our partners on their Title VI responsibilities.

• 2025 Title VI Program Implementation Plan
• Public Notice of Rights
• Aviso Público de Derechos (Spanish)
• Title VI FAQ

Title VI ensures non-discrimination in all Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance from the Federal Highway Administration. In accordance with 23 CFR 200, MDOT SHA established the Office of Equal Opportunity, with a Title VI officer responsible for complying with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, and related laws, statues, executive orders and regulations.

The SHA Office of Equal Opportunity Title VI Officer monitors the federal-aid program in the following program areas:

1. Planning
2. Project development
3. Right of way
4. Construction
5. Research

Nondiscrimination Policy

It is the policy of SHA, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 324 of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and other related statutes and regulations that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion familial status or retaliation, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any federally or non-federally funded program or activity administered by MDOT SHA or its sub-recipients.

External Complaint Procedure

If you believe that you or others protected by Title VI have been victims of discrimination, you may file a complaint by using SHA’s Title VI complaint form via the link below.

Complaints may be filed by any individual or group who believes:

Discrimination

An act (or action) whether intentional or unintentional, through which a person solely because of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin has been otherwise subjected to unequal treatment under any program or activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Disparate Treatment

Disparate treatment is inconsistent application of rules and policies to one group of people over another. Discrimination may result when rules and policies are applied differently to member of protected classes.

Please submit your complaint to:

Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Program Overview

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) makes the accommodation of persons with disabilities an integral element of our planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance.

All projects, regardless of the contract administrator, must accommodate and provide accessibility for persons with disabilities where it is reasonable, feasible and appropriate. This policy extends to facilities and access to community meetings, utility relocation, access permits and reimbursement projects. Providing accommodations is especially important where existing and proposed land use includes sidewalks and pedestrian access. Accommodations apply to employment, education, residential, commercial, recreation and transit centers, as well as trip generation.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodation Requests

Under Title II of the ADA, an MDOT SHA employee or customer can seek an ADA Accommodation. For help, complete the MDOT SHA ADA form HERE or contact Office of Equal Opportunity at 410-545-8477.

​United States Department of Justice

• United States Department of Justice Main Page
  
• United States Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights Main Page
• DOJ Title VI Investigation Procedures Manual
• Americans with Disability Act Home Page

United States Department of Transportation

• United States Department of Transportation Main Page
• United States Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights Main Page
• 49 CFR, Part 21 Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation-Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  

Federal Highway Administration

• Federal Highway Administration Main Page
• Federal Highway Administration Office of Civil Rights
• Title 23 U.S.C. Section 140 Nondiscrimination

United States Code of Federal Regulations

• Title 42 U.S.C. §6101 – §6107 (Age Discrimination Act of 1975)
• Title 42 U.S.C. §4321 (The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969)
• Title 29 U.S.C. §794 (§504 Rehabilitation Act of 1973)
• Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 - - 25 USC ss1301 - ss1303

Additional Regulations

• Civil Rights Restoration Act

District Equal Employment Officers (DEEOs)

DEEOs can be contacted at Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA) offices serving every county in the State.

Please visit HERE for links to district offices.

Please visit HERE for a link to the departments at SHA's Hanover complex.