Getting Uncle Sam To Enforce Your Civil Rights. Clearinghouse Publication 59. Revised.

There are many Federal laws against discrimination, passed to protect people who are denied their rights because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. This publication is a guide to the initial stages of filing a discrimination complaint. Although it does not cover all the steps after a complaint is filed, it helps the person who has been discriminated against determine the agency to which a complaint should be directed. Where and when to file a complaint is addressed for the following areas of discrimination: (1) credit; (2) education; (3) employment; (4) housing; (5) law enforcement; (6) federally assisted programs; (7) public accommodations and facilities; and (8) voting. Special circumstances for noncitizens, Native Americans, institutionalized people, and military personnel are outlined. Any program or activity that received funds from the Department of Education must operate in a nondiscriminatory manner. No educational institution receiving such funds can discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age to deny a service or benefit afforded others, provide inferior service, or segregate an individual on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Individuals may be segregated by sex for contact sports or varsity athletics or by disability when it is absolutely necessary. Other conditions for which separation for some characteristic is allowed are outlined. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights and its Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services are cited as primary sources to which complaints may be directed. Other agencies are listed for particular kinds of discrimination. (SLD)