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**News by year:** 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

2015

OCR enters Agreement with Three Puerto Rico Hospitals to Ensure Access to Auxiliary Aids and Services - 10/26/15

Read the Bulletin
	Read the Voluntary Resolution AgreementOCR Issues Proposed Rule on Nondiscrimination under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act

Note that the comment period ended at midnight on November 9, 2015. The NPRM is available for review at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=HHS-OCR-2015-0006
	Click here for a SummaryEspañol, 中文, Tiếng Việt, 한국어, Tagalog, Русский, العربية, Kreyòl ayisyen, Français, Português, Polsk, i 日本語, Italiano, Deutsch, فارسى
	Click here for the Questions and Answers about the NPRM
	Español, 中文, Tiếng Việt, 한국어, Tagalog, Русский, العربية, Kreyòl ayisyen, Français, Português, Polsk, i 日本語, Italiano, Deutsch, فارسى
	Click here for the Press Release
	For documents in alternative formats, please call (800) 368-1019 or (800) 537-7697 (TDD)HHS and DOJ Issue Disability Rights Technical Assistance on Child Welfare - 8/10/2015

Technical Assistance Cover Letter
	Disability Rights Technical Assistance
	BulletinArizona Agrees to Improve Immigrant Access to Federal Public Benefits Programs -07/16/15

Read the Bulletin
	Read the AgreementBrooklyn Hospital Center Implements Non-Discriminatory Practices to Ensure Equal Care for Transgender Patients - 07/14/15

Read the Bulletin
	Read the AgreementOCR signs Effective Communication Dear Colleague letter with Puerto Rico Hospital Association - 06/09/15

Read the Bulletin
	Read the Letter
	En EspañolOCR and DOJ find discrimination against persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in Connecticut Hospital - 3/20/2015

Read the Bulletin
	Read the Settlement AgreementMichigan Medical Care Facility Commits to Race Non-Discrimination in Staff Assignments - 02/13/2015

HHS Bulletin
	Resolution AgreementOCR and DOJ find disability discrimination in Mass. child welfare - 01/29/15

HHS Bulletin
	Joint Letter of Findings2014

50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

50th Anniversary Flyer
	50th Anniversary Program
	50th Anniversary Panel Program
	50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act -Special Ed. Newsletters:
	May
		April
		March
		FebruaryHHS and DOJ issue Dear Colleague Letter – December 2014The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has entered into an agreement with OCR to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access information. - 8/20/14Mee Memorial Hospital of California agrees to expand and improve accessibility for persons with limited English proficiency. - 8/21/14
Williamston House, a North Carolina assisted living facility, agrees to change policies and procedures in order to accept residents with HIV/AIDS - 8/20/14

Read the HHS Bulletin
	Read the Resolution AgreementLEP Language Assistance Services Expanded at MS DHS, Division of Family & Children's Services.

Bulletin - 4/15/142013

DOJ, DOE & HHS release letter to health-related schools regarding hepatitis B discrimination.

Joint Letter
	Press Release - 6/12/13Settlement agreement reached with Genesis HealthCare, one of the largest U.S. providers of senior care

Press Release - 3/5/13HHS reaffirms commitment access to all programs & activities by LEP persons - 2/26/13

OCR ensures equal access for deaf/hard of hearing in NY & DC

Press Release - 2/8/132012

OCR Ensures Expanded Language Assistance Services at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital - 8/28/12

Simsbury, CT Agrees to Modify ADA Policy for Summer Camp - 4/16/12

Settlement agreement reached with Advanced Dialysis Centers - 2/17/12

2011

East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System to Ensure Effective Communication with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Patients - 12/08/11

HHS Office for Civil Rights Enforces Section 504 and the ADA - 10/18/11

Leon Rodriguez is appointed Director of HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) – 9/13/11

HHS issues new regulation to enforce Federal Health Care Provider Conscience Rights

Press release about provider conscience rights - 2/18/11
	OCR EnforcementVoluntary Resolution Agreement Signed Rhode Island DHS

Press release about agreement with RI DHS - 01/21/112010

UPMC agrees to expand access to care after closure of UPMC Braddock

Press release about UPMC agreement - 9/2/10Spanish version of press releaseRemarks by President Obama on 20th Anniversary of the ADA - 7/26/10 (WhiteHouse.gov)

Secretary Sebelius announces $2.25 billion in grants in honor of the 20th anniversary of the ADA - 7/26/10

ADA Guidance on Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities

Press Release about ADA Guidance - 7/22/10Resolution Agreement with WA State to Ensure Equal Access to Child Protective & Welfare Services - 7/7/10

Press Release - 7/7/10Race and Disability Discrimination Complaints in Wisconsin TANF Program to be Resolved by Statewide Agreement

Press Release - 4/29/10Windsor Rosewood Care Center in Contra Costa County (CA) Signs Agreement - 3/23/2010

Press Release - 3/23/2010Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania Signs Settlement Agreement

Press Release - 2/18/10University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics Signs Resolution Agreement

Press Release - 1/28/10Florida Department of Children and Families Signs Settlement Agreement

Press Release - 1/26/102009

OCR & The Joint Commission Team Up in Language Access Education Effort

Press Release - 11/7/09OCR Secures Settlement Agreement with Texas Orthopaedic Surgeon

Press release about the settlement agreement – 10/16/09Resolution Agreement between OCR & Montgomery County Department of Social Services,  NY

Press release about the Montgomery County NY case  - 10/8/09
	Spanish version of press releaseResolution Agreement between OCR & Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute, MD

Press Release - 9/22/09Settlement Agreement between OCR & Fort Washington Medical Center, MD

Press Release -9/14/09Statement by HHS Secretary Sebelius On U.S. Signing of UN Treaty on Rights of Persons with Disabilities - 7/30/09

Statement by HHS Secretary Sebelius On the 10th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Decision *Olmsteadv. L.C.* - 6/22/09

OCR *Olmstead* effortsCorrective Action by Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

Press Release - 6/15/09Resolution Agreement between OCR & Washington DSHS - 5/21/09

Settlement Agreement between OCR, Alaska DHSS, & Anchorage Pioneer Home

Press Release about Alaska settlement – 4/23/09Notice on Civil Rights Obligations Applicable to the Distribution of Funds under ARRA

Press Release - 3/4/092008

Voluntary Resolution Agreement signed with NY Schenectady County Department of Social Services - 11/18/08

State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (serving a state population of more than 1.2 million) signs statewide Settlement Agreement to ensure limited English proficient persons receive equal access to its programs and services.

State of Georgia signs statewide Olmstead Settlement Agreement to ensure individuals with disabilities receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. - 7/1/2008

New OCR Success Stories: Olmstead / New Freedom Initiative /Community Integration for Persons with Disabilities. - 7/1/2008

Recent Civil Rights Complaint Resolutions: - 4/30/08

Arizona hospital and trauma center (150,000 patients yearly) agrees to ensure that patients who are deaf or hard-of hearing receive timely auxiliary aids, including sign language interpreters or video interpretation services. - 2/7/08
	New York social services agency (4025 food stamp users monthly) agrees to ensure that clients who are deaf or hard-of hearing receive timely auxiliary aids, including sign language interpreters. - 2/5/08
	New York hospital and trauma center (56,000 patients yearly) agrees to ensure that patients who are deaf or hard-of hearing receive timely auxiliary aids, including sign language interpreters or video interpretation services. - 3/13/08
	Northern California Nursing Home chain makes 200 additional nursing home beds available to people living with HIV/AIDS.2007

OCR and the Administration for Children and Families jointly develop civil rights Frequently Asked Questions and Answers - 9/27/07

OCR posts summary of a comprehensive compliance agreement with SC to ensure compliance with nondiscrimination laws in adoption and foster care activities - 9/24/07

OCR Announces New Initiative to Assist Hospitals in Communicating with People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Limited English Proficient - 3/6/07

OCR resolution agreement ensures that people with learning disabilities have equal access to participate in and benefit from Massachusetts’ Employment Services Program. - 1/16/07

2006

OCR launches new web pages on effective communication in hospitals - 12/21/06

OCR updates Report of Success in Facilitation the Community Integration of People with Disabilities with cases from the following states:

New Jersey: New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Disability Services (OCR Docket: # 05-37926 & # 05-35716)
	Maryland: Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (OCR Docket # 99-06827)
	West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services(OCR Docket # 04-26731)
	Washington: Washington Department of Social and Health Services (OCR Docket # 02-01413) - 9/27/06Emergency Preparedness Planning and Response - 6/27/06

OCR Promising Practices: Grassroots Outreach Efforts to Reach African American Communities about Health Disparities, Race Discrimination, and Title VI - 6/12/06

2005

Hurricane Katrina Bulletin #2: Compliance Guidance and Enforcement Statement - 9/9/05

Bulletin: Disclosing PHI in Emergency Situations - 9/2/05

Surgeon's Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities - 7/26/05

What's New - OCR Updates Report of Success in Facilitating the Community Integration of People with Disabilities - [7/20/05]

OCR has released an updated version of "Delivering on the Promise: OCR's Compliance Activities Promote Community Integration." This document summarizes the satisfactory resolution of complaints filed with OCR on or on behalf of approximately 250 individuals with disabilities. These complaints alleged that individuals were denied the opportunity to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. OCR is producing this document in accord with HHS' response to President Bush's Executive Order 13217, Community-Based Alternatives for People with Disabilities, and HHS' commitment to broadly disseminate individual accounts of how civil rights compliance activities have facilitated community integration. (See Delivering on the Promise, HHS' Report to the President on Executive Order 13217)OCR adds new HIV/AIDS resource pages - 5/16/05

HUD issues Notice providing guidance on initiatives to assist housing search of families with a person with disabilities - 2/1/05 (HUD.gov)

2004

LEP Know Your Rights Beneficiary Brochure:

With OCR Contact Information - 10/27/04
	Without Contact Information(for use by any organization) - 10/27/04CMS State Medicaid Directors Letter on "Money Follows the Person" - 8/17/04

OCR enters into agreement on TANF and disability issues with Oregon Department of Human Services - 8/6/04

Executive Order 13447: Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness - 7/26/04

OCR and ACF enter into agreement with State of Ohio and Hamilton County, Ohio regarding nondiscrimination on the basis of race in adoption and foster care - 7/21/04  Summary, Agreement, Letter of Finding - 10/20/03

Fortieth Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 "Remembering the Past, Moving Forward" – 7/13/04

40th Anniversary Commemoration of the Civil Rights Act of 1964- 7/13/04

2003

Federal Register Notice: Comment Period for revised LEP Guidance extended to January 6, 2004 - 12/16/2003

OCR issues Letter of Findings regarding Hamilton County, Ohio and the State of Ohio, finding discrimination on the basis of race in foster and adoption care - Director's Statement - 10/21/2003 / OCR Letter of Findings - *Note: the Letter of Findings uses pseudonyms to protect personal privacy*

Federal Register Correction: Deadline for comments on revised LEP guidance is December 8, 2003 - 9/30/03

OCR and ACF disseminate self-assessment tool to facilitate non-discrimination in foster care and adoption - 8/5/03

OCR has released a new document, "Delivering on the Promise: OCR's Compliance Activities Promote Community Integration," summarizing the satisfactory resolution of more than 100 "most integrated setting" complaints filed with OCR by individuals with disabilities. OCR is producing this document in accord with HHS' commitment to broadly disseminate individual accounts of how civil rights activities have facilitated the community integration of people with disabilities - *March 28, 2003*

2002

Delivering on the Promise: Compilation of Individual Federal Agency Reports of Actions to Eliminate Barriers and Promote Community Integration - 3/25/02

                    
  


Content created by Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Content last reviewed January 18, 2023Back to top
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