Civil Rights News Archive
News by year: 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002
2015
OCR enters Agreement with Three Puerto Rico Hospitals to Ensure Access to Auxiliary Aids and Services - 10/26/15
OCR Issues Proposed Rule on Nondiscrimination under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act
- Note that the comment period ended at midnight on November 9, 2015. The NPRM is available for review at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=HHS-OCR-2015-0006
- Click here for a Summary
Español, 中文, Tiếng Việt, 한국어, Tagalog, Русский, العربية, Kreyòl ayisyen, Français, Português, Polsk, i 日本語, Italiano, Deutsch, فارسى - Click here for the Questions and Answers about the NPRM
- Español, 中文, Tiếng Việt, 한국어, Tagalog, Русский, العربية, Kreyòl ayisyen, Français, Português, Polsk, i 日本語, Italiano, Deutsch, فارسى
- Click here for the Press Release
- For documents in alternative formats, please call (800) 368-1019 or (800) 537-7697 (TDD)
HHS and DOJ Issue Disability Rights Technical Assistance on Child Welfare - 8/10/2015
Arizona Agrees to Improve Immigrant Access to Federal Public Benefits Programs -07/16/15
Brooklyn Hospital Center Implements Non-Discriminatory Practices to Ensure Equal Care for Transgender Patients - 07/14/15
OCR signs Effective Communication Dear Colleague letter with Puerto Rico Hospital Association - 06/09/15
OCR and DOJ find discrimination against persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in Connecticut Hospital - 3/20/2015
Michigan Medical Care Facility Commits to Race Non-Discrimination in Staff Assignments - 02/13/2015
OCR and DOJ find disability discrimination in Mass. child welfare - 01/29/15
2014
50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- 50th Anniversary Flyer
- 50th Anniversary Program
- 50th Anniversary Panel Program
- 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act -Special Ed. Newsletters:
HHS and DOJ issue Dear Colleague Letter – December 2014
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has entered into an agreement with OCR to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access information. - 8/20/14
Mee Memorial Hospital of California agrees to expand and improve accessibility for persons with limited English proficiency. - 8/21/14
Williamston House, a North Carolina assisted living facility, agrees to change policies and procedures in order to accept residents with HIV/AIDS - 8/20/14
LEP Language Assistance Services Expanded at MS DHS, Division of Family & Children's Services.
- Bulletin - 4/15/14
2013
DOJ, DOE & HHS release letter to health-related schools regarding hepatitis B discrimination.
- Joint Letter
- Press Release - 6/12/13
HHS reaffirms commitment access to all programs & activities by LEP persons - 2/26/13
OCR ensures equal access for deaf/hard of hearing in NY & DC
2012
OCR Ensures Expanded Language Assistance Services at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital - 8/28/12
Simsbury, CT Agrees to Modify ADA Policy for Summer Camp - 4/16/12
Settlement agreement reached with Advanced Dialysis Centers - 2/17/12
2011
HHS Office for Civil Rights Enforces Section 504 and the ADA - 10/18/11
Leon Rodriguez is appointed Director of HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) – 9/13/11
HHS issues new regulation to enforce Federal Health Care Provider Conscience Rights
Voluntary Resolution Agreement Signed Rhode Island DHS
- Press release about agreement with RI DHS - 01/21/11
2010
UPMC agrees to expand access to care after closure of UPMC Braddock
- Press release about UPMC agreement - 9/2/10
Remarks by President Obama on 20th Anniversary of the ADA - 7/26/10 (WhiteHouse.gov)
Secretary Sebelius announces $2.25 billion in grants in honor of the 20th anniversary of the ADA - 7/26/10
ADA Guidance on Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities
- Press Release about ADA Guidance - 7/22/10
Resolution Agreement with WA State to Ensure Equal Access to Child Protective & Welfare Services - 7/7/10
- Press Release - 7/7/10
- Press Release - 4/29/10
Windsor Rosewood Care Center in Contra Costa County (CA) Signs Agreement - 3/23/2010
- Press Release - 3/23/2010
Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania Signs Settlement Agreement
- Press Release - 2/18/10
University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics Signs Resolution Agreement
- Press Release - 1/28/10
Florida Department of Children and Families Signs Settlement Agreement
- Press Release - 1/26/10
2009
OCR & The Joint Commission Team Up in Language Access Education Effort
- Press Release - 11/7/09
OCR Secures Settlement Agreement with Texas Orthopaedic Surgeon
Resolution Agreement between OCR & Montgomery County Department of Social Services, NY
Resolution Agreement between OCR & Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute, MD
- Press Release - 9/22/09
Settlement Agreement between OCR & Fort Washington Medical Center, MD
- Press Release -9/14/09
Corrective Action by Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
- Press Release - 6/15/09
Resolution Agreement between OCR & Washington DSHS - 5/21/09
Settlement Agreement between OCR, Alaska DHSS, & Anchorage Pioneer Home
Notice on Civil Rights Obligations Applicable to the Distribution of Funds under ARRA
- Press Release - 3/4/09
2008
Voluntary Resolution Agreement signed with NY Schenectady County Department of Social Services - 11/18/08
Recent Civil Rights Complaint Resolutions: - 4/30/08
- Arizona hospital and trauma center (150,000 patients yearly) agrees to ensure that patients who are deaf or hard-of hearing receive timely auxiliary aids, including sign language interpreters or video interpretation services. - 2/7/08
- New York social services agency (4025 food stamp users monthly) agrees to ensure that clients who are deaf or hard-of hearing receive timely auxiliary aids, including sign language interpreters. - 2/5/08
- New York hospital and trauma center (56,000 patients yearly) agrees to ensure that patients who are deaf or hard-of hearing receive timely auxiliary aids, including sign language interpreters or video interpretation services. - 3/13/08
- Northern California Nursing Home chain makes 200 additional nursing home beds available to people living with HIV/AIDS.
2007
2006
OCR launches new web pages on effective communication in hospitals - 12/21/06
OCR updates Report of Success in Facilitation the Community Integration of People with Disabilities with cases from the following states:
- New Jersey: New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Disability Services (OCR Docket: # 05-37926 & # 05-35716)
- Maryland: Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (OCR Docket # 99-06827)
- West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services(OCR Docket # 04-26731)
- Washington: Washington Department of Social and Health Services (OCR Docket # 02-01413) - 9/27/06
Emergency Preparedness Planning and Response - 6/27/06
2005
Hurricane Katrina Bulletin #2: Compliance Guidance and Enforcement Statement - 9/9/05
Bulletin: Disclosing PHI in Emergency Situations - 9/2/05
Surgeon's Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities - 7/26/05
What's New - OCR Updates Report of Success in Facilitating the Community Integration of People with Disabilities - [7/20/05]
- OCR has released an updated version of "Delivering on the Promise: OCR's Compliance Activities Promote Community Integration." This document summarizes the satisfactory resolution of complaints filed with OCR on or on behalf of approximately 250 individuals with disabilities. These complaints alleged that individuals were denied the opportunity to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. OCR is producing this document in accord with HHS' response to President Bush's Executive Order 13217, Community-Based Alternatives for People with Disabilities, and HHS' commitment to broadly disseminate individual accounts of how civil rights compliance activities have facilitated community integration. (See Delivering on the Promise, HHS' Report to the President on Executive Order 13217)
OCR adds new HIV/AIDS resource pages - 5/16/05
HUD issues Notice providing guidance on initiatives to assist housing search of families with a person with disabilities - 2/1/05 (HUD.gov)
2004
LEP Know Your Rights Beneficiary Brochure:
- With OCR Contact Information - 10/27/04
- Without Contact Information (for use by any organization) - 10/27/04
CMS State Medicaid Directors Letter on "Money Follows the Person" - 8/17/04
OCR enters into agreement on TANF and disability issues with Oregon Department of Human Services - 8/6/04
Executive Order 13447: Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness - 7/26/04
OCR and ACF enter into agreement with State of Ohio and Hamilton County, Ohio regarding nondiscrimination on the basis of race in adoption and foster care - 7/21/04 Summary, Agreement, Letter of Finding - 10/20/03
Fortieth Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 "Remembering the Past, Moving Forward" – 7/13/04
40th Anniversary Commemoration of the Civil Rights Act of 1964- 7/13/04
2003
Federal Register Notice: Comment Period for revised LEP Guidance extended to January 6, 2004 - 12/16/2003
OCR issues Letter of Findings regarding Hamilton County, Ohio and the State of Ohio, finding discrimination on the basis of race in foster and adoption care - Director's Statement - 10/21/2003 / OCR Letter of Findings - Note: the Letter of Findings uses pseudonyms to protect personal privacy
Federal Register Correction: Deadline for comments on revised LEP guidance is December 8, 2003 - 9/30/03
OCR has released a new document, "Delivering on the Promise: OCR's Compliance Activities Promote Community Integration," summarizing the satisfactory resolution of more than 100 "most integrated setting" complaints filed with OCR by individuals with disabilities. OCR is producing this document in accord with HHS' commitment to broadly disseminate individual accounts of how civil rights activities have facilitated the community integration of people with disabilities - March 28, 2003
2002