On February 19, 2020, DHS sent letters to the governors of all 50 states regarding the REAL ID program. The letters pertain to States’ ability to accept electronically submitted copies of source documents, with certain restrictions in advance of an in-person DMV visit. The attachments to this page reflect the two main templates used in the letters.

The REAL ID Act of 2005 Implementation: An Interagency Security Committee Guide outlines guidance for Federal departments and agencies specifically with regards to alternate access control options for individuals who are unable to present a driver’s license or identification card issued by a REAL ID compliant state.

The Reference Guide was originally developed in response to the requirement of H.R. 5441 (PL 109-295), Section 689: Individuals with Disabilities, to develop disability related guidelines for use by those who serve individuals with disabilities in emergency preparedness and disaster relief. This Guide is not intended to satisfy all of the guidance requirements contained in Section 689. Additional guidelines to accommodate individuals with disabilities will be issued in the future.

The United States Departments of Justice (DOJ), Homeland Security (DHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Transportation (DOT) are issuing this guidance to assist recipients of federal financial assistance engaged in emergency management (e.g., state and local emergency management agencies, law enforcement, healthcare service providers, housing and transit authorities) to ensure that individuals and communities affected by disasters do not face unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency) in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI).

The Department of Homeland Security is finalizing guidance to recipients of Federal financial assistance regarding Title VI’s prohibition against national origin discrimination affecting persons with limited English proficient persons. This guidance is issued pursuant to Executive Order 13166 and is consistent with government-wide guidance previously issued by the Department of Justice.

The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties provides technical assistance and guidance to DHS recipients in meeting their obligations under federal civil rights laws, which includes providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The following documents provide information that can assist recipients in developing a reasonable accommodation notice and process for persons with disabilities.  A reasonable accommodation is a change of or modification to afford a qualified individual with a disability full enjoyment of a recipient’s programs or activities, unless modifications of policies, practices, and procedures would fundamentally alter the nature of the program, service, or activity, or result in undue financial and administrative burdens to the recipient.

Following DHS listening sessions in many communities heavily impacted by natural disasters in 2017 and 2018, the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties makes the following recommendations to state, local, territorial, and tribal emergency managers to improve the delivery of disaster assistance to disaster survivors with disabilities.  The recommendations are grouped by major areas DHS covered in the listening sessions.

This document outlines the basic elements of a process for receiving and responding to complaints of discrimination from program beneficiaries (e.g., program participants, clients, customers, or consumers, etc.). This document can assist recipients in developing a complaint process for their own organization.

Entities selected to receive a grant, cooperative agreement, or other award of Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or one of its Components must complete the DHS Civil Rights Evaluation Tool and submit required data within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Notice of Award or, for State Administering Agencies, thirty (30) days from receipt of this form from DHS or its awarding component.

This sample notice of nondiscrimination for recipients is provided in multiple languages and in a Word document so that your organization/entity can modify to fit your needs.