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Civil Rights News Menu

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

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

HHS and DOJ issue Dear Colleague Letter – December 2014 - PDF

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.

 

2013

DOJ, DOE & HHS release letter to health-related schools regarding hepatitis B discrimination.

Settlement agreement reached with Genesis HealthCare, one of the largest U.S. providers of senior care - PDF

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 exit disclaimer icon & DC exit disclaimer icon

 

2012

OCR Ensures Expanded Language Assistance Services at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 8/28/12

Simsbury, CT Agrees to Modify ADA Policy for Summer Camp exit disclaimer icon - 4/16/12

Settlement agreement reached with Advanced Dialysis Centers exit disclaimer icon - 2/17/12

 

2011

East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System to Ensure Effective Communication with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Patients exit disclaimer icon - 12/08/11

HHS Office for Civil Rights Enforces Section 504 and the ADA exit disclaimer icon - 10/18/11

Leon Rodriguez is appointed Director of HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) exit disclaimer icon – 9/13/11

HHS issues new regulation to enforce Federal Health Care Provider Conscience Rights - PDF

Voluntary Resolution Agreement Signed Rhode Island DHS exit disclaimer icon

 

2010

UPMC agrees to expand access to care after closure of UPMC Braddock exit disclaimer icon

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 exit disclaimer icon - 7/26/10

ADA Guidance on Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities exit disclaimer icon

Resolution Agreement with WA State to Ensure Equal Access to Child Protective & Welfare Services - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 7/7/10

Race and Disability Discrimination Complaints in Wisconsin TANF Program to be Resolved by Statewide Agreement - PDF exit disclaimer icon

Windsor Rosewood Care Center in Contra Costa County (CA) Signs Agreement - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 3/23/2010

Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania Signs Settlement Agreement - PDF exit disclaimer icon

University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics Signs Resolution Agreement - PDF exit disclaimer icon

Florida Department of Children and Families Signs Settlement Agreement - PDF exit disclaimer icon  

 

2009

OCR & The Joint Commission Team Up in Language Access Education Effort exit disclaimer icon

OCR Secures Settlement Agreement with Texas Orthopaedic Surgeon exit disclaimer icon

Resolution Agreement between OCR & Montgomery County Department of Social Services,  NY exit disclaimer icon

Resolution Agreement between OCR & Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute, MD exit disclaimer icon

Settlement Agreement between OCR & Fort Washington Medical Center, MD - PDF

Statement by HHS Secretary Sebelius On U.S. Signing of UN Treaty on Rights of Persons with Disabilities exit disclaimer icon - 7/30/09 

Statement by HHS Secretary Sebelius On the 10th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Decision Olmsteadv. L.C. exit disclaimer icon - 6/22/09

Corrective Action by Medco Health Solutions, Inc - PDF. 

Resolution Agreement between OCR & Washington DSHS exit disclaimer icon - 5/21/09

Settlement Agreement between OCR, Alaska DHSS, & Anchorage Pioneer Home - PDF

Notice on Civil Rights Obligations Applicable to the Distribution of Funds under ARRA  

 

2008

Voluntary Resolution Agreement signed with NY Schenectady County Department of Social Services exit disclaimer icon - 11/18/08

State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (serving a state population of more than 1.2 million) signs statewide Settlement Agreement to ensure limited English proficient persons receive equal access to its programs and services. exit disclaimer icon

State of Georgia signs statewide Olmstead Settlement Agreement to ensure individuals with disabilities receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. exit disclaimer icon - 7/1/2008

New OCR Success Stories: Olmstead / New Freedom Initiative /Community Integration for Persons with Disabilities exit disclaimer icon. - 7/1/2008

Recent Civil Rights Complaint Resolutions: - 4/30/08

 

2007

OCR and the Administration for Children and Families jointly develop civil rights Frequently Asked Questions and Answers exit disclaimer icon - 9/27/07

OCR posts summary of a comprehensive compliance agreement with SC to ensure compliance with nondiscrimination laws in adoption and foster care activities - 9/24/07 exit disclaimer icon

OCR Announces New Initiative to Assist Hospitals in Communicating with People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Limited English Proficient exit disclaimer icon - 3/6/07

OCR resolution agreement ensures that people with learning disabilities have equal access to participate in and benefit from Massachusetts’ Employment Services Program. - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 1/16/07

 

2006

OCR launches new web pages on effective communication in hospitals exit disclaimer icon - 12/21/06

OCR updates Report of Success in Facilitation the Community Integration of People with Disabilities exit disclaimer icon 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 exit disclaimer icon - 6/27/06

OCR Promising Practices: Grassroots Outreach Efforts to Reach African American Communities about Health Disparities, Race Discrimination, and Title VI exit disclaimer icon - 6/12/06

 

2005

Hurricane Katrina Bulletin #2: Compliance Guidance and Enforcement Statement - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 9/9/05

Bulletin: Disclosing PHI in Emergency Situations - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 9/2/05

Surgeon's Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities exit disclaimer icon - 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 exit disclaimer icon)

OCR adds new HIV/AIDS resource pages exit disclaimer icon - 5/16/05

HUD issues Notice providing guidance on initiatives to assist housing search of families with a person with disabilities - PDF - 2/1/05 (HUD.gov)

 

2004

LEP Know Your Rights Beneficiary Brochure:

CMS State Medicaid Directors Letter on "Money Follows the Person" - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 8/17/04

OCR enters into agreement on TANF and disability issues with Oregon Department of Human Services - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 8/6/04

Executive Order 13447: Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 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 exit disclaimer icon, Agreement - PDF exit disclaimer icon, Letter of Finding - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 10/20/03

Fortieth Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 "Remembering the Past, Moving Forward" exit disclaimer icon – 7/13/04

40th Anniversary Commemoration of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 exit disclaimer icon- 7/13/04

 

2003

Federal Register Notice: Comment Period for revised LEP Guidance extended to January 6, 2004 - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 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 - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 10/21/2003 / OCR Letter of Findings - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 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 - PDF exit disclaimer icon - 9/30/03

OCR and ACF disseminate self-assessment tool to facilitate non-discrimination in foster care and adoption exit disclaimer icon - 8/5/03

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

Delivering on the Promise: Compilation of Individual Federal Agency Reports of Actions to Eliminate Barriers and Promote Community Integration exit disclaimer icon - 3/25/02

 

Content created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Content last reviewed on December 4, 2015