The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is dedicated to upholding civil rights laws and regulations before, during, and after disasters. Our vision is to fully integrate civil rights into all aspects of FEMA’s culture and work.
OCR is FEMA’s leader in advancing and enforcing civil rights for employees, disaster survivors, and the public. OCR manages and provides:
- The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) administrative process;
- FEMA’s Affirmative Employment Program;
- Reasonable Accommodations for FEMA employees and job applicants with disabilities;
- Language Access Services for disaster survivors;
- Reasonable Modifications to FEMA programs and services for disaster survivors with disabilities; and
- Resources and training to FEMA grant recipients and the public.
The Office of Civil Rights was formerly known as the Office of Equal Rights. The name changed May 1, 2024.
Our Divisions
Internal Civil Rights Division
The Internal Civil Rights Division is dedicated to protecting the civil rights of current and future FEMA employees. It supports:
- Equal Employment Opportunity;
- Reasonable Accommodations; and
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs and initiatives
![A generic file document.](/https/www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/icon_genericfile.png)
Download the OCR organizational chart.
The External Civil Rights Division is responsible for training, technical assistance, compliance, and enforcement of civil rights obligations in connection with public-facing FEMA programs and services, including those conducted by FEMA program offices and directorates or by recipients of FEMA funding. The External Civil Rights Division supports:
Learn more about how the Office of Civil Rights supports your civil rights.
Accessibility
We are committed to making our programs, services, benefits, facilities, and information and communications technology accessible to everyone in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. For more information, refer to the overview below.
![Aaron Kubey stands in front of a glass door at FEMA head quarters, wearing a blue polo shirt.](/https/www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/photos/fema_aaron-kubey-blog.jpg)
Section 504 Overview
FEMA is committed to ensuring that everyone can access our programs, activities, and facilities, regardless of disability, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 504's relevant implementing regulations, 45 C.F.R. Part 85 (Part 85). Section 504 prohibits Federal agencies and programs that receive Federal funding from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. Part 85 specifies the actions we must take to make sure we do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.
Review FEMA's Section 504 Disability Plan
![PDF Link Icon](/https/www.fema.gov/profiles/femad8_gov/modules/custom/fema_gutenberg/modules/fema_link/images/icon_pdf.png)
Report FEMA.gov accessibility issues to the FEMA Web Team. Please include the website address or URL and the problem encountered.
Contact Us
Office of Civil Rights
500 C Street, SW
4th Floor – 4SW-0915
Washington, D.C. 20472-3535
833-285-7448
FEMA TTY: 800-462-7585
[email protected]
General Assistance
Call the FEMA main line at 202-646-2500
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET