What does USDA Rural Development 

do to ensure compliance with 

nondiscrimination responsibilities?

USDA Rural Development will conduct reviews of your programs 

and activities on a periodic basis to ensure they comply with civil 

rights laws. USDA Rural Development is your partner in providing 

equal opportunity to the public.

What Federal civil rights laws must we follow 

to ensure compliance? 

The applicable Federal civil rights laws that recipients must 

follow include:

Federal Civil Rights Laws

Statute

Prohibits 

Discrimination on 

the Basis of U.S. Code

Equal Credit 

Opportunity Act

Race, color, religion, 

national origin, sex, 

marital status, age 15 USC 1691

Fair Housing Act 

(Title VIII of the 1968 

Civil Rights Act)

Race, color, national 

origin, religion, sex, 

familial status, disability 42 USC 3601

Title VI of the 1964 

Civil Rights Act

Race, color, 

national origin

42 USC 

2000d-2000d-7

Section 504 of the 

1973 Rehabilitation Act Disability 29 USC 794

Section 109 of Title I 

of the 1974 Housing 

and Community 

Development Act

Race, color, national 

origin, sex, religion 42 USC 3535d

Title II and III of the 

1990 Americans With 

Disabilities Act, as 

amended Disability

42 USC 12101 

and 12181

1975 Age Discrimination 

Act, as amended Age 42 USC 6101 et seq.

Title IX of the 1972 

Education Amendment Act Sex 20 USC 1681-1688

For More Information

For more information, contact the 

USDA Rural Development Civil Rights Office.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

PA-2206 | Revised September 2020

Complying With Civil 

Rights Requirements 

Your Responsibilities as a Partner 

With USDA Rural Development 

Together, America Prospers

rd.usda.gov/about-rd/offices/civil-rights

1 (800) 787-8821 (Toll Free) 

1 (800) 877-8339 (Federal Relay) 

RA.RD.MOSTL.CivilRights@usda.gov

Cover photo by UpstateNYer. Used with permission.
Who is required to comply with 

Federal civil rights laws?

If you receive Federal funds or assistance, such as a loan or grant, 

from USDA Rural Development, you must comply with Federal 

civil rights laws and provide equal opportunity for all people to 

participate in the programs and activities you offer. For example, 

you should not deny or exclude anyone from programs, services, 

aids, or benefits. Additionally, you must not retaliate in any manner 

against a person who files a complaint or opposes any unlawful or 

discriminatory practice.

This guide provides a basic overview of your responsibilities 

for ensuring nondiscrimination in the delivery of your programs 

and activities to the public on bases covered by Federal law. 

These bases include race, color, national origin, sex (in education 

programs or activities), age, and disability. It also includes a list of 

the applicable civil rights laws you must follow.

What is considered “Federal funds 

or assistance?”

Federal funds or assistance includes:

• Federal monies given by grants, sub-grants, cooperative 

agreements, challenge cost-share agreements, cost-reimbursable 

agreements, or loans.

• Training presented by a Federal agency.

• The loan or temporary assignment of Federal personnel 

(for example, having a USDA Rural Development employee instruct 

a course at a local university).

• The loan or use of Federal property at below-market value.

Are we a recipient of Federal funding 

and assistance?

You are a “recipient” if, through a partnership with USDA Rural 

Development, you receive Federal funding or assistance—either 

directly or through another recipient—to conduct a program you offer 

to the public. Recipients include:

• Any individual receiving Federal funding or assistance.

• A State or local government.

• An American Indian or Alaska Native individual, Tribe, corporation, 

or organization.

• Any public or private agency, institution, or organization, such as a 

university, college, or non-profit.

What are our responsibilities for complying 

with Federal civil rights laws?

As a partner with USDA Rural Development, your responsibilities for 

complying with Federal civil rights laws include, but are not limited to:

• Signing an assurance certifying that you will comply with civil rights 

laws. If you have sub-recipients, obtain a signed assurance from them.

• Displaying the “And Justice for All” U.S. Department of Agriculture 

poster (AD-475A Assisted Poster) in your public reception areas 

or other areas visible to the public. Contact your USDA Rural 

Development office to obtain copies.

• Including the following statement about nondiscrimination and how 

to file a complaint in your publications and outreach materials:

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the 

USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, 

found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html

and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA 

and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the 

form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. 

Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 

1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

Fax: (833) 256-1665 | (202) 690-7442; or

Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

• If the publications or materials are too small to permit use 

of the full statement, at a minimum, include the following 

statement, in print size no smaller than the text:

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

• If your publications and outreach materials are related to a loan

or grant project, include a statement of affiliation with USDA Rural

Development, such as:

This publication made possible through a grant 

from USDA Rural Development. 

–OR–

This project was conducted in cooperation 

with USDA Rural Development.

• Providing program information in alternative formats for people 

with disabilities and in alternative languages for people with limited 

English proficiency, as appropriate to your customer base.

• Identifying a person to be responsible for ensuring that your 

program is in compliance with civil rights requirements.

• Reviewing all your policies, procedures, and practices to ensure that

they do not limit participation on the bases of race, color, national

origin, age, disability, or sex (in educational programs and activities).

• Evaluating the accessibility of your programs and facilities. If they 

are not now accessible, develop a transition plan for making them 

accessible, and then carry out the plan as appropriate.

• Ensuring that your staff understands their civil rights responsibilities,

including their role in the USDA complaint process.

• Providing outreach to a wide variety of communities to ensure 

diversity if you advertise or market your program.

• Providing information to USDA Rural Development on your outreach 

to participants in your programs and activities.