For More Information

For more information, contact your local Rural Development office.

Complying With Civil 

Rights Requirements 

Your Responsibilities as a Partner With USDA Rural Development

What does Rural Development 

do to ensure compliance with 

nondiscrimination responsibilities?

Rural Development will conduct reviews of your programs and 

activities on a periodic basis to ensure they comply with civil 

rights laws. 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

www.rd.usda.gov

1 (800) 787-8821 (toll free)

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

PA-2206

October 2016
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 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 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 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-475C) in your public reception areas or other areas visible to the 

public. Contact your 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:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3. 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 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 Rural Development on your outreach to 

participants in your programs and activities.

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.