Provides assistance to individuals going through an equal rights issue. Staff ensures equal opportunity and fair treatment for citizens through public information, education, and enforcement of the City's Human Rights Ordinance and Equal Opportunity and Purchasing Ordinance.

This office was developed with the intent to secure an end to discrimination in the areas of Employment, Housing, Public Accommodation, and Credit on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, education, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, sexual preference, family responsibilities, source of income, prior arrest, or conviction record.

Serves as a neutral, fact-finding, investigative agency and provides information regarding civil and human rights. The Commission investigates complaints of discrimination that occurred within the City of Des Moines in accordance with City Code (Chapter 62) in the following areas: Employment, Housing, Municipal Practices, Credit and Public Accommodations.

Complaints must be filed within 300 days of the alleged violation. To file, one must allege a difference of treatment based on their age, familial status (in housing only), race, color, creed, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, religion, mental or physical disability, or retaliation for reporting or assisting with a report of discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations.

Also provides trainings and education for landlords, employers, and the general community about fair housing, employment practices and knowing your rights.

Provides assistance to out-of-school youth who are overcoming barriers to employment that might include lacking skills to obtain high school diploma, high school equivalency certificate, low income, homelessness, involvement with the judicial system, transportation barriers.

Participants spend half their time in academic programming and half in learning skills in construction or urban agriculture, including building or rehabilitating housing for low-income families.

Leadership development involves classes, activities, and leadership positions within the organization, providing a foundation for preparing youth to play important roles in their communities.

Please attend the on-line orientation and fill out the on-line application or call.

Orientation Link:
brainshark.com/brainshark/brainshark.net/salesportal/title.aspxpi=zGiz7mtL4zJcRAz0

Protection of individuals with disabilities when their civil and human rights are denied, especially those who are most vulnerable or who learn, live, or work in isolated, segregated, or congregated settings.

Legal advocacy, investigation, and representation to eligible persons whose disability related cases meet priorities set by our Board of Directors.

Information and referral.

Engaging people with disabilities in advocacy through education, information and training that builds self-advocacy skills, awareness, and understanding.

Policy advocacy, including analysis, monitoring, and recommend changes to state and federal legislation.

Helps disabled Iowans with any disability rights issues they may have. This is a federally funded program, as part of the nation-wide protection and advocacy system created by federal law, to serve people with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, and other disabilities. Disability Rights Iowa may assist with abuse, neglect, education, employment, housing, or denial of services.

DOES NOT help with divorce, custody, adoption, bankruptcy, criminal representation, civil mental health commitment, consumer/business law, debtor-creditor law, personal injury, malpractice, etc. The issue must arise from the individual's disability.

Administers the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (with regard to employment), familial status (with regard to real estate transactions), age, marital status, physical or mental disability, military service, and unfavorable military discharge. The website includes forms, instructions, and links to numerous other related websites as well as detailed information on how the discrimination charge process works.

Also maintains a helpline for assistance specifically with sexual harassment and discrimination.

Legal representation for matters involving fair housing. Types of cases that would be considered include:

- A refusal to rent on the basis of a particular trait or status (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status).

- Offering housing on different terms on those bases than for others.

- Steering people to housing elsewhere.

- Treatment of tenants differently due to one of the above mentioned traits or statuses.

- Issues with requests for reasonable accommodations in housing due to disability.

Advocacy organization providing free legal services and self-advocacy assistance to people with disabilities in the areas of discrimination, assistive technology, special education, guardianship defense, abuse and neglect, and community integration. Training is available to people with disabilities and family members on topics including the Americans with Disabilities Act, employment, transportation, voting, Ticket to Work, special education and guardianship. Engages in public policy and legislative advocacy.

Advocacy organization providing free legal services and self-advocacy assistance to people with disabilities in the areas of discrimination, assistive technology, special education, guardianship defense, abuse and neglect, and community integration. Training is available to people with disabilities and family members on topics including the Americans with Disabilities Act, employment, transportation, voting, Ticket to Work, special education and guardianship. Engages in public policy and legislative advocacy.

Provides assistance to out-of-school youth who are overcoming barriers to employment that might include lacking skills to obtain high school diploma, high school equivalency certificate, low income, homelessness, involvement with the judicial system, transportation barriers.

Participants spend half their time in academic programming and half in learning skills in construction or urban agriculture, including building or rehabilitating housing for low-income families.

Leadership development involves classes, activities, and leadership positions within the organization, providing a foundation for preparing youth to play important roles in their communities.

Please attend the on-line orientation and fill out the on-line application or call.

Orientation Link:
brainshark.com/brainshark/brainshark.net/salesportal/title.aspxpi=zGiz7mtL4zJcRAz0

Offers to investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and city services within the Urbana city limits.