Civil Rights in Emergencies and Disasters

The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) supports individual and community resilience to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other emergencies. Through guidance, planning and coordination, CRCL works to ensure that civil rights and civil liberties are integrated into disaster-related policies and procedures. In addition, prior, to, during, and following a disaster, CRCL engages representatives of impacted communities and disseminates information to governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to ensure the protection of individuals with disabilities, immigrant populations, and racially and ethnically diverse communities, including those with limited English proficiency.

Civil Rights Listening Sessions with Disability Stakeholders in Disaster Impacted Areas

The purpose of these listening sessions was to hear about concerns and experiences related to the impact of the disasters on individuals with disabilities.  Participants also shared effective practices for serving individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.  By better understanding these experiences, and in partnership with state and local entities, including non-profit organizations, DHS can work to improve preparedness, response, and recovery for persons with disabilities in future disasters.

• Florida
• Texas
• California
• U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix
• U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas
• Puerto Rico
  • en Espanol
• Issues from all listening sessions

Civil Rights Laws

Federal laws prohibit discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal aid to ensure that actions, both intentional and unintentional, do not exclude anyone based on race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, sex, religion, economic status, or familial status in the preparation, response, or recovery phases of emergency and disaster management.

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Section 308 Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Resources for Ensuring Nondiscrimination in Disaster Preparation, Response, and Recovery

CRCL and Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Joint Letter to State and Local Emergency Managers

• CRCL and Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division Joint Letter to State and Local Emergency Managers on Complying with Civil Rights Laws in Disaster Planning (disability, race, color, national origin, and language)

Race, National Origin, Limited English Proficiency/Language Access

• LEP Map APP - is an interactive mapping tool that helps users find out the concentration of and languages spoken by LEP individuals in a community.
• Notice for Recipients on Nondiscrimination During Disasters (disability, race, color, national origin, and language)
• Tips and Tools for Reaching Limited English Proficient Communities in Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
• Tips for Communicating with the Whole Community in Disasters (disability, race, color, national origin, and language)
• Title VI Interagency Guidance on Nondiscrimination in Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (English Version)
  • https://www.justice.gov/crt/file/885496/download (Spanish version)

Disability

• Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in the Provision of Disaster Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services
• DHS Guide to Interacting with People Who Have Disabilities
• Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters
• Notice for Recipients on Nondiscrimination During Disasters (disability, race, color, national origin, and language)
• Rumor Control: Service Animals in Shelters
• Tips for Communicating with the Whole Community in Disasters (disability, race, color, national origin, and language)
• Ready.gov - Disaster Preparedness Tips for Individuals with Disabilities

Request Technical Assistance

CRCL engages with community organizations and emergency managers to provide technical assistance on ensuring equal access to individuals with disabilities, diverse racial and ethnic communities, and those who are limited English proficient in disaster. Send requests for technical assistance to: crcl@hq.dhs.gov or call 202-401-1474 | 1-866-644-8360 (toll free).

File a Complaint

CRCL reviews and investigates civil rights and civil liberties complaints made by the public regarding U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies and activities as well as programs and activities of recipients of federal of financial assistance (e.g., grantees). For more information about filing a complaint with CRCL, visit: Make a Civil Rights Complaint.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Office of Equal Rights

• Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
  • Federal Coordination and Compliance Section
  • Disability Rights Section

Training Materials and Webinars

• ADA National Network Learning Session The Disaster Response Efforts of the Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
• Civil Rights in Federally Assisted Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

For more information, to request technical assistance, or to report concerns, contact CRCL at: crcl@hq.dhs.gov.