Office of Civil Rights

The FEMA Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is committed to the full enforcement of federal civil rights laws before, during, and after disasters. Our vision is to fully integrate civil rights into all aspects of FEMA’s culture and work.

OCR is FEMA’s leader in ensuring compliance with federal civil rights laws for employees, disaster survivors, and members of the public. When necessary to ensure compliance, OCR manages:

• The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) administrative process.
• FEMA’s Affirmative Employment Program.
• The Reasonable Accommodations administrative process where FEMA employees and job applicants with disabilities can request accommodations.
• The Language Access Services administrative process for disaster survivors and members of the public with limited English proficiency (LEP).
• The Reasonable Modifications administrative process where disaster survivors and members of the public with disabilities can request modifications to FEMA programs.
• The provision of training, technical assistance, and public education materials to FEMA Grant Recipients and members of the public.

The Office of Civil Rights was formerly known as the Office of Equal Rights. The name changed May 1, 2024.

Internal Civil Rights Division

The Internal Civil Rights Division is The Internal Civil Rights Division (ICRD) within OCR is responsible for compliance with and enforcement of civil rights obligations for FEMA employees and job applicants. ICRD has three branches:

• Affirmative Employment Branch.
• Disability Support Branch.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Branch.
   

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Download the OCR organizational chart.

Business Management Division

The Business Management Division (BMD), within OCR, provides comprehensive, mission essential support that enables its leaders to advance OCR’s goals for internal and external civil rights. BMD has two branches:

• Program Operations Branch.
• Resource Management Branch.

External Civil Rights Division

The External Civil Rights Division (ECRD) ensures compliance with federal civil rights laws in FEMA programs and activities, including those conducted by FEMA program offices and directorates, as well as those provided by recipients of FEMA funding. In addition, ECRD provides training, technical assistance, and public education materials to FEMA offices, recipients, and members of the public. ECRD has four branches:

• Community Accessibility Branch.
• Community Engagement Branch.
• Complaints Processing Branch.
• Compliance Management Branch.

Readiness and Disaster Support Division

Often deployed to major disasters and emergencies, the members of the Readiness and Disaster Support Division (RDSD), within OCR, collaborate with other OCR divisions and FEMA regions, directorates, and program offices to ensure equal access to FEMA-conducted and assisted programs, activities, and services. RDSD has three branches:

• Cadre Coordination Branch.
• Regional Coordination Branch.
• Sign Language Interpreter Branch.

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

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is committed to providing accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to individuals with disabilities, including FEMA employees and job applicants, disaster survivors, and members of the public, by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you have a specific request or concern regarding this webpage or FEMA.gov, email your inquiry to fema-accessibility@fema.dhs.gov.

• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Action of 1973 Overview
• Architectural Barrier Act (ABA) Standards (2015)

Section 504 Overview

FEMA is committed to ensuring that everyone can access our programs, activities, and facilities, regardless of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 504's relevant implementing regulations, 45 C.F.R. Part 85 (Part 85). Section 504 prohibits Federal agencies and programs that receive Federal funding from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. Part 85 specifies the actions we must take to make sure we do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.

Review FEMA's Section 504 Disability Plan

Report FEMA.gov accessibility issues to the FEMA Web Team. Please include the website address or URL and the problem encountered.

Call the FEMA main line at 202-646-2500
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET