Internal Civil Rights Program

As an employee, one should expect the following programs and practices to be available:

• Implementing equal opportunity laws and policies to prevent discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, and disability status, as well as protecting individuals against reprisal/retaliation for filing a charge of discrimination, participating in an investigation into alleged discriminatory practices, or opposing discriminatory practices

• Implementing affirmative employment programs to address the low participation rate of any race, national origin, gender, or disability group. These include Special Emphasis programs (for example, the Hispanic Employment Program, the Federal Women's Program, and the People with Disabilities Program)

• Administering informal and formal programs to resolve EEO complaints filed by DOT employees and applicants for employment, to include using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, such as mediation, to assist in the fair and early resolution of complaints. DOT maintains a roster of EEO counselors and mediators to provide advice and assistance to employees

• Administering White House Initiative (WHI) programs implementing presidential executive orders directed to Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans; Tribal Colleges and Universities; Increasing Opportunity and Improving Quality of Life of Asian American and Pacific Islanders; and Increasing the Employment of Adults with Disabilities