Resource Guide: COMPLAINTS

Last Updated; December 4, 2023

ADA Technical Assistance Program, Department of Justice

See ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY chapter.

Client Assistance Program (CAP)

Disability Rights Maine
160 Capitol Street, Suite 4
Augusta, ME 04330
800.452.1948 (V/TTY)
207.626.2774 (V/TTY)
207.621.1419 (FAX)
Email: advocate@drme.org

Disability Rights Maine-Deaf Services
1 Mackworth Island, Bldg. C
Falmouth, ME 04105
800.639.3884(V/TTY)
207.797.7656(V/TTY)
207.766.7111(VP)
207.797.9791 (FAX)
Email: deafservices@drme.org

If you wish to request assistance via our website, visit Website: drme.org/online-intake-form

The Client Assistance Program is a federally funded program that provides information, assistance, and advocacy/direct representation for people with disabilities who are applying for or receiving services under the Rehabilitation Act. Programs under this legislation include Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living Services and Projects With Industry. Services from CAP are free of charge.

The CAP can help by providing you with information on the services available, time frames for services and by explaining what the federal regulations and state rules say. When there are disagreements, CAP can get directly involved. CAP is required to resolve disagreements using informal methods, to the maximum extent possible, before resorting to administrative or legal remedies.

Closed Captioning Complaints

If you have a complaint about closed captioning contact the station and tell them what the problem is.

Major local television stations (all television stations telephone numbers are Voice only):

Portland/Westbrook:
ME PBS - 1-800-884-1717
WCSH - 1-800-464-1213 or E-mail: closedcaptioning@wcsh6.com
WGME - 228-7787 or E-mail: closedcaptioning@wgme.com
WMTW - 835-3800 or E-mail: wmtw@wmtw.com
WPXT - 774-0051 X131
WPFO FOX - 228-7787 or E-mail: closedcaptioning@wgme.com


Lewiston/Auburn:
ME PBS - 1-800-884-1717
WCSH - 1-800-464-1213 or E-mail: closedcaptioning@wcsh6.com
WMTW - 835-3800 or E-mail: wmtw@wmtw.com

Bangor:
WABI - 947-8321 X160 or E-mail: captioning@wabi.tv
WLBZ - 1-800-464-1213 or E-mail: closedcaptioning@wlbz2.com
WVII - 945-6457 X3100 or E-mail: captioning@wvii.com

Presque Isle:
WAGM - 764-4461 X222 or E-mail: ccap@wagmtv.com

If contacting the station directly doesn't work, you can complain, in writing, to the broadcasting company (if you use an antenna for TV reception) or to the cable company (if you have cable) or to the satellite company (if you use a satellite dish).

Sample complaint letters are available on the NAD website NAD File Complaints
or call Nancy Winter at the Division for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Late Deafened for help.

You may also file a complaint to:

Federal Communication Commission (FCC)
445 12th Street SW, Room 6C-447
Washington, DC 20554
1-888-835-5322 (TTY)
1-888-225-5322 (V)
1-866-418-0232 (FAX)
Email: fccinfo@fcc.gov

Disability Rights Maine

160 Capitol Street, Suite 4
Augusta, Maine 04330
207-626-2774 x236 (V/TTY)
1-800-452-1948 (V/TTY)
207-621-1419 (FAX)

Disability Rights Maine (DRM), the statewide protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, is a private, nonprofit organization independent of state government. In partnership with people with and without disabilities, DRM promotes and enhances the rights of people with disabilities so they can choose to live, receive education, work, be with family and friends and enjoy life in the community of their choice. DRM advocates for people with legal-rights problems directly related to their disability by:

  • providing information about legal rights and service systems.
  • referring people to appropriate services.
  • individually representing people in meetings, hearings and court.
  • working for service system reform and change.

Disability Rights Maine-Deaf Services

Civil Rights Program
See AGENCIES chapter.

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

ADA/Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
287-1877 (V)
TTY Users Call Maine Relay 711

DHHS has a policy to provide interpreters and has trained staff to use Maine Relay 711 in State offices. To report any difficulty in obtaining accommodations, contact one of the DHHS ADA/EEO Coordinators.

Maine Human Rights Commission

51 State House Station
19 Union Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0051
TTY: Maine Relay 711
624-6290 (V)
624-8729 (FAX)
Website: Maine Human Rights Commission

The Maine Human Rights Commission is the state agency charged with the responsibility of enforcing Maine's anti-discrimination laws. They receive and investigate complaints of unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, education, access to public accommodations, and extension of credit. They attempt to resolve those complaints to the mutual satisfaction of all who are involved. They may pursue a remedy in court when alternative solutions have failed.

Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

61 Winthrop Street
Augusta, ME 04330
1-800-499-0229 (V)
621-1079 (V)
621-0509 (FAX)
Email: MLTCOP@MaineOmbudsman.org
Website: Maine Ombudsman

The Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a non-profit agency whose mission is to advocate for quality of life and care for long-term care consumers. Our services are free and confidential. Our program serves residents of nursing homes, assisted housing programs including residential care and assisted living and consumers receiving home care services including homemaker, adult day and hospice. We also serve patients in hospitals facing barriers in accessing long-term care services.

MaineHealth Interpreter & Cross Cultural Services

106 Gilman Street
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 662-4983 (V)
Email: interpreterservices@mainehealth.org

MaineHealth is committed to providing qualified, in-person sign-language interpreters at all of our locations. We offer interpreting to all Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients and involved family members. MaineHealth Interpreter & Cross Cultural Services provides in-person support across the Southern Maine Region (e.g., Maine Medical Center, Southern Maine Health Care, and their associated practices and diagnostic centers) and technical assistance and language access guidance at all other MaineHealth locations (including Mid Coast Hospital, Parkview Hospital, Pen Bay Medical Center, Lincoln Health, Waldo County General Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Stephens Memorial Hospital, Franklin Memorial Hospital, and NorDx). MaineHealth Interpreter Services guarantees in-person ASL interpreter support in the Southern Maine region within one hour from the time of request, and immediate VRI interpreting available upon arrival for all languages at all locations. We have available for patients and visitors the following accessibility tools: transparent masks; TTYs; in-room videophones; personal use dry erase and communication boards; magnifying lenses; captioning on all TVs; CART and personal assistive listening devices for hard-of-hearing people. Verbal recordings of written medical records can be requested from your clinical care team.

If you have questions regarding availability of access tools or wish to reporting any difficulty in obtaining accommodations you can reach out to the MaineHealth Interpreter Services Director at (207) 662-4370 or Email: interpreterservices@mainehealth.org

MaineHealth includes Maine Medical Center, Southern Maine Health Care, Mid Coast Hospital, Parkview Hospital, Pen Bay Medical Center, Waldo County General Hospital, Lincoln Health, Stephens Memorial Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Franklin Memorial Hospital, MaineHealth Medical Group, CHANS Home Health and Hospice, MaineHealth Home and Hospice Services, NorDx, and all other subsidiaries of MaineHealth.

State of Maine/A.D.A. Accessibility Coordinator

150 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
Railey Guthrie, ADA Accessibility Coordinator
592-2087 (V)
TTY Users Call Maine Relay 711
287-5292 (FAX)
Email: Railey.B.Guthrie@maine.gov

The State ADA Accessibility Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that all state services and programs are accessible to people who have disabilities. These responsibilities include:

  • Help resolve complaints about disability discrimination and respond to requests for accommodation.
  • Coordinate State compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Maine Human Rights Act.
  • Provide training and technical assistance.
  • Review agency implementation of ADA compliance plans.

    If you have any complaints about disability discrimination or accommodations in state services or programs contact Railey Guthrie at the above number.

    U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
    Office for Civil Rights
    Region I
    John F. Kennedy Building, Room 1875
    15 New Sudbury Street
    Boston, MA 02203
    (617) 565-1343 (TTY)
    1-800-368-1019 (V)
    (617) 565-1340 (V)
    (617) 565-3809 (FAX)
    Email: OCRMail@hhs.gov
    Website: Office for Civil Rights

    If you believe discrimination has happened to you or anyone else because of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or religion by a health care or human services provider (such as hospitals, nursing homes, social service agencies, etc.), you or your representative may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

    Office for Civil Rights complaint process: Complaints usually must be filed within 180 days (6 months) from the date of the alleged discriminatory act.