ADA National Network Learning Session: The Disaster Response Efforts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

ADA National Network Learning Session: The Disaster Response Efforts of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

12th July, 2018

The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) leads the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) commitment to protecting civil rights in natural and man-made disasters. In this session, CRCL's Rebekah Tosado and Brian Parsons will introduce CRCL's disaster related responsibilities drawing upon examples from CRCL's experiences during the 2017 and prior disasters. They will describe CRCL's collaboration with FEMA (a Component of DHS) and federal civil rights partners to provide proactive guidance, address emerging issues, and engage members of the disability community.

Learning objectives:

  • Learner will understand the role of the DHS CRCL in ensuring nondiscrimination in disasters.
  • Learner will be able to describe how compliance with civil rights laws contributes to more effective preparedness, response, and recovery for the whole community.
  • Learner will be familiar with CRCL's civil rights resources that support compliance with civil rights laws.
  • Learner will understand how to contact CRCL to obtain technical assistance, report civil rights issues in disasters, and file a complaint of discrimination under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other bases.

Presenters:

Rebekah Tosado is the chief of the Antidiscrimination Group at the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which has responsibilities related to compliance with various federal civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Brian Parsons, Senior Policy Advisor in the Antidiscrimination Group of CRCL, is a subject matter expert on inclusive disaster management and disability policy.

Handouts: