DC Office of Human Rights

02/18/2021

We are excited to announce that George E. Rice III (COACH RICE) and Briana Strachan Cleveland (Martha's Table) well also join us as panelist for our upcoming event!
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George E. Rice III is a coach, educator and founder of The Rebound 4 Success Institute and is ready to discuss is ready to discuss how the rise of youth leadership is critical for our future.
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Briana Strachan Cleveland is the Director of Volunteers and Community Support at Martha’s Table and will bring to the panel her perspective on community support resources.
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You won't want to miss this valuable insight. RSVP for the event: https://bit.ly/3qoMoiS

02/17/2021

Thrilled to have Lily Litweiler (DC Public Schools) and Shyheim Snead (United Way of Coastal Fairfield County) join us as a panelist for the upcoming event!
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Lily Litweiler is a Mental Health Counselor for DC Public Schools and is ready to discuss how she’s helped students and youth navigate life during a pandemic, civil rights demonstrations and the unparelled attack on democracy on January 6, 2021.
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Shyheim Snead is a Strategy and Partnerships Manager at the United Way will bring perspective from the nonprofit world on how our local communities can come together and heal despite the uncertainties of the past year.
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You won't want to miss this valuable insight. RSVP for the event: https://bit.ly/3qoMoiS

02/15/2021

Join us for the big event on Thursday, Feb. 25th! The virtual event, featuring a panel of incredible speakers, will focus on dissecting and processing the current challenging cultural/political landscape and inspiring DC youth as they shape their own futures. Come learn, share, and heal. RSVP today for the FREE event! #NoHateDC https://bit.ly/3qoMoiS

12/30/2020

Today, OHR released the FY19 Language Access Compliance Review. The report provides an overview and analysis of citywide efforts to create equal access for individuals with limited or non-English proficiency. As of 2018, the District is home to nearly 100,000 foreign-born individuals with 30.8% of foreign-born residents age 5 or older having limited English proficiency. 

Highlights from the FY19 Compliance Review include: 
* Compliance achievements and reporting for 38 covered entities with major public contact and 23 non-major public contact entities detailing performance level of preparedness, accessibility and quality in serving clients 
* 183,387 encounters with LEP/NEP customers across agencies 
* Language Access compliance training for 41,040 District government employees, including contractor and grantee staff 
* 73,277 calls made by frontline employees to reach a telephonic interpreter to communicate with customers speaking 66 different languages 
* Translation of 830 vital documents by agencies with major public contact.  #languageaccess #limitedenglishproficiency #translation #interpretation

12/01/2020

DC Office of Human Rights's cover photo

12/01/2020

We all have a shared responsibility to protect DC. Wear a mask. Save lives. Stop the spread. Learn more: coronavirus.dc.gov

11/27/2020

Over the past several months, we’ve been challenged, and it’s not been easy. If you need help managing anxiety and stress, please talk to a mental health clinician. Call 1-888-793-4357. We are here for you.

11/26/2020

We hope everyone is saying safe and finding connection (even if virtual) this Thanksgiving! We are grateful for you!

11/26/2020

We hope everyone is saying safe and finding connection (even if virtual) this Thanksgiving! We are grateful for you!

11/26/2020

When around friends and family outside of your household, wear a mask and social distance. Small gatherings do not mean less risk of spreading or getting COVID-19!

11/24/2020

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the culture, traditions and histories of Indigenous people in the United States, as well as acknowledge the many contributions they have made to this country.
Use this time to learn more about the various tribes of Indigenous Americans and what tribal land you're currently on or have lived on. Washington DC sits on the ancestral lands of the Anacostans (also documented as Nacotchtank) and over time neighboring the Piscataway and Pamunkey peoples.
Piscataway, Pamunkey, the Nentego (Nanichoke), Mattaponi, Chickahominy, Monacan, and the Powhatan cultures thrived along the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers. (American Library Association). You can use the website from Native Land to learn more about local Indigenous history.

11/20/2020

We all have a shared responsibility to protect DC. Wear a mask. Save lives. Stop the spread. Learn more: coronavirus.dc.gov

11/20/2020

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is a day to honor those who have been murdered because of transphobia and those who have survived gender-based violence. OHR stands with the trans and non-binary community everyday and will continue to fight for the equal treatment of all individuals; today, we honor those who have lost their lives to senseless violence.
#tdor #translivesmatter

11/19/2020

As cases increase nationwide, protect your family: limit exposure to other people, require all guests in your home to wear a mask, and practice good hygiene.

We've created signs for you to print for your home or to share with guests before coming over: bit.ly/dcsignage

11/19/2020

Learn more about available District resources to keep you in your home 🏘by visiting coronavirus.dc.gov/rent.

11/18/2020

The DC Contact Trace Force is part of the team working to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. When they ring, answer the call!

11/17/2020

Community stories: 2020 Transgender Awareness Week - Google

We’re celebrating stories of trans excellence for this week of #transgenderawareness !

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The trans community consistently uplifts and empowers despite hardship. See how we’re celebrating trans excellence for 2020 Transgender Awareness Week.

11/17/2020

A healthy family is a happy family. Take the time to plan and take steps to keep your loved ones safe this holiday season. Learn more: bit.ly/dcholidayguidance

11/12/2020

November is National Caregivers Month, a time to recognize, support, and empower family caregivers. This is also a good time to remind you of the Universal Paid Family Leave Amendment Act – this law was passed by the DC Council in 2016 and provides a new employment benefit which allows private sector employees in DC to receive paid leave when taking the following types of leave: up to eight weeks to bond with a child (including adopted or foster children), six weeks to care for a sick family member with a serious health condition, and two weeks of personal medical care. Employees are eligible as long as they spend 50 percent of their time physically working in the District. #paidfamilyleave #nationalcaregiversmonth

11/11/2020

#HappyVeteransDay! Thank you to all that have served this country. We honor you today and always 🇺🇸

11/10/2020

The Language Access Program is dedicated to removing language as a barrier to obtaining information and services from the District government. Find out more at https://ohr.dc.gov/page/LAportal/

11/02/2020

Parents have the right to breast/chest-feed in any public or private location in DC and employers MUST provide reasonable accomodations to a breast/chest-feeding person. #Breastfeeding #Chestfeeding #UniversalBreastfeedingSymbol #HumanRightsDC #KnowYourRights

https://ohr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ohr/publication/attachments/Breastfeeding%20DCHOR%20Work%20PlacePosters.pdf

10/29/2020

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month! In 2013, the District put together the Citywide Bullying Prevention Program within the Office of Human Rights. The program, in partnership with Child Trends, aims to reduce incidents of bullying across the city by emphasizing prevention and implementing appropriate procedures when incidents occur. The groundbreaking, citywide approach – moving beyond just in-school policies and procedures – makes it one of the most unique and far-reaching government bullying prevention programs in the nation. You can find helpful tools on our website: ohr.dc.gov/page/bullyingprevention

10/29/2020

@nws_baltwash has issued a Flood Watch for DC until 11PM tonight. Keep these safety tips in mind
📲 Sign up for #DCWx alerts: alertdc.dc.gov
🚘 Turn Around, Don’t Drown - this simple step can save lives
💻 Visit ready.dc.gov/flood for more info

10/27/2020

Preparing to Vote, D.C. Residents in Federal Prisons Face Challenges

Check out this important article featuring OHR’s own Charles Thornton!

Due to the Revitalization Act of 1997, Washingtonians convicted of crimes are placed in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Once convicted and sentenced, these individuals are transferred to any of the 122 federal prisons scattered across the country, sometimes thousands of miles away. Recently passed Council legislation lets Washingtonians in federal prisons vote in local and federal elections, but the BOP is making it difficult for advocates to reach all eligible voters.

“The struggle to ensure incarcerated people can vote this November is yet another episode in the District’s long fight to acquire equal voting rights for its citizens in the absence of statehood. While the 50 states are in charge of their own prisoners and facilities, the federal government has, for more than two decades, had jurisdiction over people in D.C. who have to serve prison time, even if they haven’t committed federal offenses.”

D.C. Council legislation lets residents in federal prisons vote, but a lack of cooperation from the Bureau of Prisons complicates the process.

10/27/2020

It’s a celebration! Join the Office of Paid Family Leave on October 28th at 11am for the DC Virtual Baby Shower. Get advice from parenting experts, learn curated mocktail recipes, sweat with a mommy and me fitness class, and hear about DC’s Paid Family Leave benefits. Register today: bit.ly/DCVirtualBabyShower

10/27/2020

Early Voting starts today! Vote Centers will be open from Tuesday, October 27th through Monday, November 2nd, from 8:30 am - 7:00 pm. Early voting does not have to occur in your designated polling place or even your ward. On November 3, 2020 (Election Day), Vote Centers will open from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm. For a list of locations, go to: https://earlyvoting.dcboe.org/
You should have received a ballot in the mail; you don't have to go in person to cast your vote: you can also drop off your completed ballot in the mail or to one of the 55 ballot drop boxes around the city. All the ballot drop box locations can be found here: https://dcboe.org/Voters/Where-to-Vote/Mail-Ballot-Drop-Sites

10/23/2020

Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Social distance. Do your part, DC.

10/22/2020

OHR staff wears purple to honor and to stand with survivors of domestic violence. We join @dccadv in the fight against domestic violence on this #PurpleThursday during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Please remember that the DC Victim Hotline is available 24/7 through phone, text, or online chat at dcvictim.org/ or 1-844-4HELPDC

Last year, Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Offenses and Stalking (DVSOS) was added as the 21st protected trait in the District! Enforced in the employment sector, it means that employers, employment agencies and labor organizations cannot discriminate against someone based on them being a victim or a family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and/or stalking. For more information or to file a complaint, visit our website; ohr.dc.gov.

#SpreadLoveDC #DVAM2020 #SaferStrongerDC

10/22/2020

OHR staff wears purple to honor and to stand with survivors of domestic violence. We join @dccadv in the fight against domestic violence on this #PurpleThursday during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Please remember that the DC Victim Hotline is available 24/7 through phone, text, or online chat at dcvictim.org/ or 1-844-4HELPDC

Last year, Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Offenses and Stalking (DVSOS) was added as the 21st protected trait in the District! Enforced in the employment sector, it means that employers, employment agencies and labor organizations cannot discriminate against someone based on them being a victim or a family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and/or stalking. For more information or to file a complaint, visit our website: ohr.dc.gov.

#SpreadLoveDC #DVAM2020 #SaferStrongerDC

10/22/2020

Are you homebound because of COVID-19? We’re here to help. To request food and other essentials:

☎️ Call: 1-888-349-8323

💻 Online: coronavirus.dc.gov/gethelp

10/21/2020

We all have a shared responsibility to protect DC. Wear a mask. Save lives. Stop the spread. Learn more: coronavirus.dc.gov

10/21/2020

Learn more about available District resources to keep you in your home 🏘by visiting coronavirus.dc.gov/rent.

10/20/2020

The DC Contact Trace Force is part of the team working to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. When they ring, answer the call.

10/20/2020

DC Health’s DC COVID Alert Notice (DC CAN) protects our community while protecting our privacy. If you have an iPhone, opt-in to Exposure Notifications in your device Settings. If you have an Android, download DC CAN from the Google Play Store. coronavirus.dc.gov/dccan