Laws OCR enforces for recipients of Commerce financial assistance : 

Disability Discrimination

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in programs the Department of Commerce provides with financial assistance or conducts. The Commerce implementing regulations are 15 C.F.R. Part 8b, Prohibition of Discrimination Against the Handicapped in Federally Assisted Programs Operated by the Department of Commerce, and 15 C.F.R. Part 8c, Enforcement of Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities Conducted by the Department of Commerce.

• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology (EIT) be accessible to persons with disabilities, including employees and members of the public. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use EIT. As amended in 1998, the law directed the Access Board to create binding, enforceable standards that spell out what makes EIT products accessible to persons with disabilities. Federal agencies must use these standards in all their EIT acquisitions. If a person with a disability discovers that a Federal agency has failed to comply with section 508, he or she can file an administrative complaint or a civil law suit. Complaints and lawsuits can only be filed against products that are procured. The complaint process is the same as that used for section 504. Individuals may also file a civil action against an agency.

Race, Color, and National Origin Discrimination

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, prohibits discrimination against people due to their race, color, or national origin in the conduct of programs that receive Federal financial assistance. The Commerce implementing regulation is 15 C.F.R. Part 8, Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs of the Department of Commerce--Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Age Discrimination

• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act. This statute makes it illegal to discriminate against people due to their age in the conduct of programs that receive Federal financial assistance. The Commerce implementing regulation is 15 C.F.R. Part 20, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Age in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.

Sex Discrimination

• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended. This statute makes it illegal to discriminate against people due to their sex in the conduct of educational programs that receive Federal financial assistance.

How to File a Complaint

• Complaints about race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability discrimination involving recipients of Federal financial assistance: File your complaint with the Director, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 6012, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. OCR staff are available to provide assistance with filing complaints by calling 202-482-4481.
• Complaints about disability discrimination in programs conducted by the Commerce Department and its Bureaus: File your complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer of the Bureau conducting the program or the Director, Office of Civil Rights, at the above address. OCR staff are available to provide assistance with filing complaints by calling 202-482-4481.