Administration

COVID-19 and Civil Rights: What Every Employee Should Know

By: Melanie Martin

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of our daily lives. At work, tension in the office may be at an alltime high due to heightened levels of anxiety and stress. Members of the public may be more demanding and difficult to deal with. The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) would like you to know that we are here to help. OCR administers the following programs: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and Title VI/Environmental Justice/Language Access. We put together the following information and links to resources that you may find helpful. in Braille, and other ways of making information and communication accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision disabilities. In addition, HDOT must make reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in all of HDOT’s programs, services, and activities.

For more information about the ADA Program, please contact Curtis Motoyama, ADA Program Specialist, at curtis.s.motoyama@hawaii.gov.

DBE

ADA

During this time of public health emergency, HDOT must continue to ensure qualified persons with disabilities can participate equally in all HDOT programs, services, and activities. Upon request, HDOT must provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents The United States Department of Transportation - Departmental Office of Civil Rights recently provided guidance on implementation of the DBE Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see information in the following links: DBE and ACDBE Certification Procedures During COVID-19 Pandemic and Supplemental Guidance: DBE and ACDBE Program Requirements During COVID--19 Public Health Emergency.

See OCR on page 10