DARS Rehabilitation Policy Manual Chapter 10: Consumer Rights and Legal Issues
10.7 Civil Rights Compliance
10.7.1 Overview
In compliance with Health and Human Services (HHS) policy, DRS does not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, exclude, deny benefits, limit participation, or otherwise discriminate against any person in the administration of services on the basis of
· race,
· color,
· sex,
· national origin,
· age,
· disability, or
· religion.
10.7.2 Implementing the Policy
DRS management takes necessary steps to ensure that commitment to civil rights is reflected in both words and actions.
Civil Rights Complaints
Any discrimination complaint DRS receives, either directly from a consumer, or through an external compliance agency, must be forwarded to the HHSC Civil Rights Office within 10 calendar days of receipt by the DRS staff member receiving the complaint.
Detailed information about policies, services, and procedures may be found at the HHSC Civil Rights Policies and Services Web site.
DRS staff and other people responsible for delivering DRS programs or services give the consumer a copy of HHSC Client Complaint of Discrimination form when notified of the intention to file a civil rights complaint and, when requested, provide information to help prepare or mail the complaint.
The HHSC Client Complaint of Discrimination form is available on the Civil Rights Office Web site; however, consumers are not restricted to completing this form as their only complaint format.
To submit a complaint, consumers may contact the HHSC Civil Rights Office (CRO) in person or by phone, fax, email, or letter at:
Civil Rights Office
Health and Human Services Commission
701 W. 51st Street, MC W206
Austin, Texas 78751
1-888-388-6332 (Toll free voice)
(512) 438-4313 (voice)
1-877-432-7232 (Toll free TTY)
(512) 438-5885 or (512) 438-4754 (fax)
Consumers may also file a complaint of discrimination with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office for Civil Rights either separately or simultaneously with a complaint filed with the HHSC CRO.
The ED Office for Civil Rights for Texas is located at
Dallas Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620
Dallas, Texas 75201-6810
Telephone: (214) 661-9600
FAX: (214) 661-9587; TDD: 877-521-2172
Email:
The ED Office for Civil Rights National Headquarters is located at
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Customer Service Team
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Telephone: 1-800-421-3481
FAX: (202) 245-6840; TDD: 877-521-2172
Email:
If the consumer makes a complaint in any of the formats listed above, DRS staff and other people responsible for delivering DRS programs or services must accept the complaint and forward it to the HHSC Civil Rights Office.
10.7.3 Section 504 Coordinator
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Director, Civil Rights Office, is the Section 504 Coordinator for the Health and Human Services agencies, and is available to address civil rights concerns.