DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ADA -Title I

(Discrimination by a local or state government agency of any size or by an employer with 25 or more employees, until July 26, 1994 at which time the ADA will cover employers with 15 or more employees)

Time for filing: Within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination (complaints filed under both the ADA and RI Fair Employment Practices Act can be filed up to 300 days after the incident occurred.)

To file a complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission go to:  http://www.eeoc.gov/

{the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has authorized the RI Commission for Human Rights to conduct federal employment discrimination investigations on its behalf}

Fair Employment Practice

(Discrimination by an employer with 4 or more employees in Rhode Island Time for filing: Within one year of the date of the alleged discrimination.

HIV/AIDS Discrimination Act

(Discrimination against an individual with AIDS or is HIV Positive or is perceived to have AIDS or is HIV Positive by an employer of any size) Time for filing: Within one year of the date of the alleged discrimination.

Civil Rights of People with Disabilities Act

(Discrimination happening in Rhode Island

Time for filing: Within one year of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the RI Commission for Human Rights go to: http://www.richr.ri.gov/

{If the complaint is in regards to physical accessibility of the workplace, work station, employment interview location, etc.}

Contact the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities

disabilities@gcd.ri.gov 462-0100 (voice) 462-0106 (fax), via 711 tty

{You may also seek assistance from the Commission’s Mediation Service, at the same time you file a formal complaint. The governor’s commission on disabilities’ procedure for a mediation service to assist parties who voluntarily chose to utilize that service to resolve allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability.}

Complaint forms can be found here: Form D 1. Disability Rights Complaint and Mediation Request - Employment

Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

(Discrimination by a Federal Government agency) Time for filing: Within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission go to:  http://www.eeoc.gov/

{The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has authorized the RI Commission for Human Rights to conduct federal employment discrimination investigations on its behalf}

Public Officers and Employees

(Discrimination by a state agency against a employee in the classified or civil service)

Time to file: Within thirty (30) calendar days of the mailing of the notice of the aggrieved action

Address for filing:

Personnel Appeal Board

1 Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908

222-2592 (voice) 222-3090 (tty)

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

(Discrimination by a contractor or subcontractor of the federal government)

Vietnam-Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974

(Discrimination against Vietnam Era Veterans by a contractor or subcontractor of the federal government) Time for filing: Within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the US Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs go to:

http://www.dol.gov/esa/OFCCP/index.htm

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

(Discrimination by an agency receiving federal funds) Time for filing: Within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the US Department Justice’s Civil Rights Division go to: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/activity.php#drs

The Civil Rights Division coordinates enforcement of Section 504 in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

Workers' Compensation

(Discrimination by an employer with 9 or more employees, when a worker injured on the job and collecting Workers' Compensation attempts to return to work within a year of the injury and is not reinstated to her/his old job or another vacant position that the worker can do with or without a reasonable accommodation, by the original employer) Time to file: Immediately

To file a complaint with the Department of Labor’s Worker’s Compensation Division go to: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/wc/ 

DISCRIMINATION IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ADA - Title II

(Discrimination by a local or state government agency) Time for filing: Within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s Office on the Americans with Disabilities Act go to:

http://www.ada.gov/enforce.htm

AIDS Discrimination Prohibited Act

(Discrimination against an individual with AIDS or is HIV Positive, or is perceived to have AIDS or is HIV Positive by any provider of health care and/or social support services, public accommodations, or credit granting organizations)

Civil Rights of People with Disabilities Act

(Discrimination happening in Rhode Island

Time for filing: Within one year of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the RI Commission for Human Rights go to: http://www.richr.ri.gov/

{If the complaint is in regards to physical accessibility of the services, activities, or events}

Contact the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities

disabilities@gcd.ri.gov 462-0100 (voice) 462-0106 (fax), via 711 tty

{You may also seek assistance from the Commission’s Mediation Service, at the same time you file a formal complaint. The governor’s commission on disabilities’ procedure for a mediation service to assist parties who voluntarily chose to utilize that service to resolve allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability.}

Complaint forms can be found here: Form D 2. Disability Rights Complaint and Mediation Request - Government Services Discrimination

File a complaint with the RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Equity and Access go to:

http://www.ride.ri.gov/commissioner/equity/default.aspx

RI State Government’s ADA/504 Regulations are available at: http://www.sec.state.ri.us/rules/ from the Agency drop table select “Disabilities, Governor’s Commission on”

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

(Discrimination by an agency receiving federal funds) Time for filing: Within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the US Department Justice’s Civil Rights Division go to: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/activity.php#drs

The Civil Rights Division coordinates enforcement of Section 504 in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

Open Meeting Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities Act

(Discrimination caused by a lack of physical or communications access to a meeting of a school district, local or state government agency, board, commission, or department) Time for file: Within 90 days of the alleged discriminatory act(s).

Address for filing:

RI Attorney General's Office’s Open Government Office go to: http://www.riag.ri.gov/civilcriminal/opengovernment.php

Architectural Barriers Act of 1968

(Discrimination caused by the inaccessibility of a facility that was constructed or altered or is being leased with federal funds)

Time to file: As soon as the discrimination happens.

For more information contact the US Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board go to:

http://www.access-board.gov/  

Public Properties and Works: Accessibility of leased or rented facilities for people with disabilities.

(No state governmental body or public agency, acting as lessee, shall lease or rent facilities that are not accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.) Time for file: Within 90 days of the alleged discriminatory act(s).

Contact the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities

disabilities@gcd.ri.gov 462-0100 (voice) 462-0106 (fax), via 711 tty

DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988

(Discrimination in the sale or rental of housing, which is occupied as, or designed or intended for occupancy as, a residence by one or more families, and any vacant land which is offered for sale or leased for the construction or location of residential housing)

Time for filing: Within 180 days of the alleged act of discrimination.

To file a complaint with the US Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity go to: http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/index.cfm

{The US Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity Office has authorized the RI Commission for Human Rights to conduct federal housing discrimination investigations on its behalf}

Fair Housing Practices Act

(Discrimination in the provision of housing including any building or structure, or portion of a building/structure or any parcel of land which is occupied or is intended, designed, or arranged to be occupied or to be de­veloped for occupancy as the home or residence of one or more persons. Or discrimination in the granting of credit) Time for filing: Within one year of the date of the alleged discrimination.

AIDS Discrimination Prohibited Act

(Discrimination against an individual with AIDS or is HIV Positive, or is perceived to have AIDS or is HIV Positive by any provider of health care and/or social support services, public accommodations, or credit granting organizations)

Civil Rights of People with Disabilities Act

(Discrimination happening in Rhode Island )

Time for filing: Within one year of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the RI Commission for Human Rights go to: http://www.richr.ri.gov/

{If the complaint is in regards to physical accessibility of the services, activities, or events}

Contact the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities

disabilities@gcd.ri.gov 462-0100 (voice) 462-0106 (fax), via 711 tty

{You may also seek assistance from the Commission’s Mediation Service, at the same time you file a formal complaint. The governor’s commission on disabilities’ procedure for a mediation service to assist parties who voluntarily chose to utilize that service to resolve allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability.}

Complaint forms can be found here: Form D 4. Disability Rights Complaint and Mediation Request - Housing and/or Credit Discrimination

DISCRIMINATION IN PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS (customer services)

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ADA) - Title III

(Discrimination by a public accommodation or commercial facility. A public accommodation is an operation that fits in one of the following 12 categories:

1. Places of lodging (e.g. inns, hotels, motels) (except for owner-occupied establishments renting fewer than six rooms);

2.  Establishments serving food or drink (e.g., restaurants and bars);

3. Places of exhibition or entertainment (e.g. motion picture houses, theaters, concert halls, stadiums);

4. Places of public gathering (e.g. auditoriums, convention centers, lecture halls);

5. Sales or rental establishments (e.g. bakeries, grocery stores, hardware stores, shopping centers);

6. Service establishments (e.g. laundromats, dry cleaners, banks, barber shops, beauty shops, travel services, shoe repair services, funeral parlors, gas stations, offices of accountants or lawyers, pharmacies, insurance offices, professional offices of health care providers, hospitals);

7. Public transportation terminals, depots, or stations (not including facilities relating to air transportation);

8. Places of public display or collection (e.g. museums, libraries, galleries);

9. Places of recreation (e.g., parks, zoos, amusement parks);

10. Places of education (e.g. nursery schools, elementary, secondary, undergraduate, or postgraduate private schools);

11. Social service center establishments (e.g., day care centers, senior citizen centers, homeless shelters, food banks, adoption agencies); and

12. Places of exercise or recreation (e.g. gymnasiums, health spas, bowling alleys, golf courses).

Time for filing: Within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s Office on the Americans with Disabilities Act go to:

http://www.ada.gov/enforce.htm

Hotel and Public Places Act

(Discrimination in any place of public accommodation, resort, or amusement including hotels, restaurants, stores, parks, clinics and hospitals, places of entertainment, public libraries, public transportation vehicles and stations, public halls and public housing projects)

HIV/AIDS Discrimination Prohibited Act

(Discrimination against an individual with AIDS or is HIV Positive, or is perceived to have AIDS or is HIV Positive by any provider of health care and/or social support services, public accommodations, or credit granting organizations)

Civil Rights of People with Disabilities Act

(Discrimination happening in Rhode Island Time for filing: Within one year of the date of the alleged discrimination.

To file a complaint with the RI Commission for Human Rights go to: http://www.richr.ri.gov/

{If the complaint is in regards to physical accessibility of the services, activities, or events}

Contact the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities

disabilities@gcd.ri.gov 462-0100 (voice) 462-0106 (fax), via 711 tty

{You may also seek assistance from the Commission’s Mediation Service, at the same time you file a formal complaint. The governor’s commission on disabilities’ procedure for a mediation service to assist parties who voluntarily chose to utilize that service to resolve allegations of discrimination on the basis of disability.}

Complaint forms can be found here: Form D 3. Disability Rights Complaint and Mediation Request  - Public Accommodations Discrimination

If the services discrimination complaint is in regards elementary and secondary educational services

File a complaint with the RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Equity and Access go to:

http://www.ride.ri.gov/commissioner/equity/default.aspx

Air Carrier Access Act of 1986

(Discrimination in airports and commercial airplanes or in making reservations) Time for filing: Within 45 days of the alleged act of discrimination.

To file a complaint with the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Civil Rights go to:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/acr/

DISCRIMINATION IN TELEPHONE/TELECOMMUNCATIONS SERVICE

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) - Title IV

(Discrimination in telecommunications matters, including telecommunications relay service, access to telecommunications equipment and services by persons with disabilities, access to emergency information, and closed captioning.)

To file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission’s Disability Rights Office go to: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/

Access to Telephone Information Services For Persons With Disabilities Act

(Requires a statewide telephone relay for utilization of the telecommunications network by deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired persons; a adaptive telephone equipment loan program capable of servicing the needs of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, severely speech impaired, or those with neuromuscular impairments for use with a single party telephone line; and a telephone access to the text of newspaper programs to residents who are blind, deaf or blind, visually impaired, or reading impaired with a single party telephone line.)  

To file a complaint with The Public Utilities Commission  go to: http://www.ripuc.org/