External Civil Rights Division

The External Civil Rights Division (ECRD) within the Office of Equal Rights (OER) is responsible for compliance with and enforcement of civil rights obligations in connection with public-facing FEMA programs and services, and those conducted by recipients of FEMA financial assistance.

Division Branches

Community Accessibility Branch

The Community Accessibility Branch creates plans, policies, and procedures to ensure accessibility by providing civil rights technical assistance and training to:

  • FEMA program offices and directorates
  • Recipients of FEMA financial assistance

The Community Accessibility Branch ensures compliance with the language access responsibilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the physical accessibility and auxiliary aids and services provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Section 308 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Learn more about Language Access Services, Reasonable Modifications, FEMA Section 504 Implementation Plan, FEMA Language Access Policy, and Auxiliary Aids and Services.

Community Engagement Branch

The Community Engagement Branch supports the equitable service delivery and advancement of civil rights for individuals and families by spearheading OCR’s collaborations with other Federal agencies, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) civil rights partners, national and state civil rights advocates, and community-based organizations. The Community Engagement Branch:

  • Creates OCR’s outreach and community engagement strategy. 
  • Oversees the development and maintenance of OCR’s website and social media tools. 
  • Drafts communications materials outlining OCR’s work.
  • Develops training curriculums and evaluation tools.

Compliance Management Branch

The Compliance Management Branch ensures nondiscrimination, equitable service delivery and compliance with civil rights laws. The Compliance Management Branch: 

  • Provides training and technical assistance to FEMA program offices, directorates, and recipients.
  • Conducts briefings and trainings for FEMA program offices, directorates, and recipients, to raise awareness of and operationalize civil rights and equity requirements.
  • Conducts compliance reviews of FEMA program offices, directorates, and recipients to ensure compliance with civil rights obligations, including effective communication, physical accessibility, and language access services.

If you are receiving FEMA financial assistance, learn more about Civil Rights Responsibilities for Grant Recipients.

Complaints Processing Branch

The Complaints Processing Branch processes discrimination complaints including those filed by disaster survivors, members of the public, and national and state civil rights organizations.  All allegations are evaluated initially to determine jurisdiction and OCR’s ability to process the complaint. As part of the investigation process, OCR may make a finding on the allegations or provide the relevant entities with opportunities to enter into voluntary compliance and resolve the complaint. Discriminatory incidents must be reported to OCR within 180 days. Information on how to file a complaint, including step by step instructions, is available here.

Civil Rights Authorities

ECRD ensures equitable service delivery and enforces civil rights requirements in connection with programs and services provided by FEMA and by recipients of FEMA financial assistance pursuant to the following authorities:

Contact the External Civil Rights Division (ECRD)

You may contact ECRD through the mail, email and phone options listed below for general questions, to raise concerns, or to initiate a civil rights complaint.

Disaster survivors and members of the public can access Civil Rights Advisors or Civil Rights Specialists regarding Civil Rights questions, file a Civil Rights complaint, check the status of an existing Civil Rights complaint, and process requests for reasonable accommodations when receiving FEMA services, by contacting the Civil Rights Resource line.

Office of Civil Rights
500 C Street, SW
4th Floor – 4SW-0915
Washington, D.C. 20472-3535

Phone: Civil Rights Resource Line (833) 285-7448

  • Press 1 for English
  • Press 2 for Spanish
  • 711 or Video Relay Services (VRS)

Email: FEMA-OCR-ECRD@fema.dhs.gov

Your Civil Rights

Learn more about how the FEMA Office of Civil Rights supports your civil rights.

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