

What Is Title VI?

Many Metro departments, from service agencies to schools, are recipients of federal funds and as such are required to comply with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI holds that “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

It is therefore against the law for Metropolitan Government to discriminate against any individual based upon his or her race, color, or national origin. The protections of Title VI apply to current employees, to applicants for employment, and to sub-recipients and subcontractors of Metropolitan departments that receive federal funds. Title VI prohibits a range of behaviors, including denying service to non-English speaking persons or requiring that they provide their own interpreter to receive services. For more detailed information about Title VI and the Commission’s role in compliance management, consider the following Rules, Orders and Laws: