Frequently Asked Questions

**Overview**                      Below are Frequently Asked Questions on Age Discrimination.

 

 

 

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            -  **Questions & Answers on Age Discrimination**                - **Does the Act apply only to older people?**
              - **Does the Act apply to age distinctions that are included in federal, state and local laws, such as a minimum age to enroll in a public school?**
              - **Does the Act allow schools to set age limits for programs like drivers education?**
              - **What if a school or college uses factors other than age as criteria for admission to a program (such as requiring applicants to have graduated from their previous school within 2 years), but it has the effect of excluding older people who may have graduated many years ago?**
              - **Does the Act apply to age discrimination in employment?**
              - **Do I have to file an OCR complaint before I can file a claim in court?  ** 

 
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| **Does the Act apply only to older people?**

The Act does not limit protection against discrimination to a certain age group.

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**Does the Act apply to age distinctions that are included in federal, state and local laws, such as a minimum age to enroll in a public school?**

No, the Act does not apply to statutes and ordinances passed by elected bodies that establish age criteria for participation in certain programs.

There are a variety of exceptions to the rule that permit age to be taken into account. For example, the act permits schools and colleges to offer special programs that are geared toward providing special benefits to children and the elderly in a specific age range.

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**Does the Act allow schools to set age limits for programs like drivers education?**

Yes. The Act contains a number of exceptions that take into account whether consideration of age is necessary to operate the program. A district may limit participation in a driver's education course to those students who are a certain age if this age criterion is necessary to the program.

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**What if a school or college uses factors other than age as criteria for admission to a program (such as requiring applicants to have graduated from their previous school within 2 years), but it has the effect of excluding older people who may have graduated many years ago?**

The Act may prohibit this if the requirement being questioned is not needed for the normal operation of the program being offered.

**Does the Act apply to age discrimination in employment?**

No, employment discrimination is covered by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which is enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

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**Do I have to file an OCR complaint before I can file a claim in court?**

The regulations under the Age Discrimination Act, allow you to file a claim in Federal court only after: 1) 180 days have elapsed since you filed the complaint with OCR and OCR has made no finding, or 2) OCR issues a finding in favor of the recipient. If this occurs, OCR will promptly notify you and remind you of your right to file in court.

If you are considering filing in court, bear in mind that OCR does not represent complaining parties or provide advice regarding court filings. You would need to use the services of your own attorney. Also, if you proceed with your claim in a court, OCR will not continue to pursue your OCR complaint.

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