Civil Rights

We are committed to fulfilling our obligations under federal and state civil rights laws and equal employment requirements. This includes supporting our contractors, consultants and sub-recipients in achieving full compliance with these laws and requirements.

We strive to be a model agency with respect to:

  • Promoting diversity and equal employment opportunities within our workforce
  • Developing opportunities for meaningful participation of minority and women-owned business enterprises
  • Delivering services, programs and activities in a nondiscriminatory manner

Civil Rights Complaint Process

  • How to File an ADA Complaint » (coming soon)
  • Complaint Form (coming soon)

Major Program Areas

ADA

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Acts of 1973, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Woonasquatucker River Watershed Coincil (WRWC)  will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

While Section 504 applies only to the federal government and recipients of federal funds, Title II of the ADA applies to all state and local governments, regardless of funding source.

The ADA provides comprehensive civil rights protections to any qualified person with a disability; it forbids discrimination not only in government programs, benefits and services, but also in employment practices, access to public accommodations, and telecommunications. The primary objective of our ADA program is to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. If you have questions, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 401-861-9046

Equal Employment Opportunity

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and forbids retaliatory actions taken against individuals who report discrimination or participate in the investigation of alleged discrimination. WRWC complies with Title VII and other federal and state mandates and adheres to equal employment opportunity (EEO) principles for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or national origin.

In order to create a more effective and representative internal workforce, we encourage the hiring, training, and promotion of persons within protected classes to reflect more accurately the available workforce in our state.

TITLE VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the federal law that prohibits discrimination in any federally-assisted program or activity. Title VI and several other anti-discrimination directives are the foundation of our Title VI Program.

As a recipient of federal funds, we take our nondiscrimination obligations seriously. We pledge that we will not, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or income status, either directly or by contract:

  • Deny any service, aid, or other benefits;
  • Provide a service, aid, or benefit that is different than what is provided to others; or
  • Segregate individuals or treat individuals separately in any matter related to any service, aid or other benefits.

DBE

We support the the primary goal of the DBE program to level the playing field and providing small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a fair opportunity to compete for contracts.