Human Rights Issues
The Vermont Human Rights Commission is developing partnerships groups throughout the state to create change. For more information about coalitions the Commission is working with, and the work they are pursuing, click on one of the following categories:
Employment
- Pregnancy-Related Workplace Accommodations for Vermont Employees
- Pregnancy-Related Workplace Accommodations for Vermont Employers
Housing
- Discrimination in Fair Housing - A very helpful page on Legal Services Vermont's Legal Help Website that provides information and videos about fair housing discrimination in a number of languages (English, French, Mai Mai, Nepali, Spanish, Swahili).
- A Matter of Place - A film by Fred Freiberg "shines a bright light on housing discrimination, one of the most shrouded and misunderstood civil rights issues in America. The documentary connects past struggles for fair housing to contemporary incidents of housing bias based on race, sexual orientation, disability, and source of income. The film depicts three stories of people who faced housing discrimination in present-day New York City. They poignantly describe the injuries inflicted on them during these incidents, as well as their resolve to fight for justice. Through experts, civil rights advocates, and fair housing testers, the film also recounts our nation's often overlooked history of residential segregation and introduces viewers to systemic and pervasive injustices that, despite the existence of fair housing laws, continue to inflict harm on entire communities and individuals throughout America."
- The Disturbing History of the Suburbs - A film by CollegeHumor "Redlining: the racist housing policy from the Jim Crow era that still affects us today."
Public Accommodations
Disabilities
- The ADA National Network - Through its ten regional centers, the ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Their services are tailored to meet the needs of business, government and individuals at local, regional and national levels.
- (video) At Your Service - A video created in partnership by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center and Storyline Motion Pictures addressing best practices featuring national disability rights leaders offering insights, tips and recommendations on how to provide "exemplary customer service" to individuals with disabilities.
Gender Free Bathrooms
Schools (Harassment, Hazing, Bullying)
- Harassment, Hazing, and Bullying Advisory Council - An advisory council established by the Secretary of Education to provide advice and recommendations on harassment, hazing, and bullying prevention strategies and resources, and to coordinate statewide activities related to the prevention of and response to harassment, hazing and bullying.
- Model Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Prevention Policies - (2015) Memorandum from Vermont Agency of Education Secretary regarding Model Harassment, Hazing and Bullying Prevention Policies.
- Policy on the Prevention of Harassment, Hazing and Bullying of Students - Model policy created by the Vermont Agency of Education.
- Model Procedures on the Prevention of Harassment, Hazing and Bullying of Students - Model procedures created by the Vermont Agency of Education.
- Vermont Family Network - Information on Bullying and Harrassment
- StopBullying.gov - Information from various government agencies on "what bullying is," "what cyberbullying is," "who is at risk," and "how you can prevent and respond to bullying."
- Continuum of Behaviors - Vermont Human Rights Commission chart outlining bullying and harrassment.
- Bullying, Harrassment, and Discrimination Brochure - Created by Vermont Legal Aid.
- 2016 Agency of Education Best Practices for Schools with Transgender Students - Created by Vermont Agency of Education
Service Animals
Summer Camps
- U.S. Department of Justice Press Release Burlington, VT, March 11, 2016 - Summer Camps Must Reasonably Accommodate Children with Disabilities
- Summer Camps and the ADA Flyer - Specific to Vermont
Additional Resources in Vermont
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Vermont - The mission of the ACLU of Vermont is to defend and enhance the principles of freedom, justice, and equality of rights that are embodied in the Bill of Rights and the Vermont Constitution. Through public education, litigation, and legislative advocacy, the ACLU works to ensure that these rights are preserved for each new generation.
- Legal Services Vermont - Legal Services Vermont provides a legal advice hotline and supports legal education and outreach events in order to empower individuals and families and enable them to manage their civic legal matters.
- Outright Vermont - The mission of Outright Vermont is to build safe, healthy, and supportive environments for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth ages 13-22.
- Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition - The Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition is an organization which is committed to ensuring safe, adequate, physically accessibly and affordable housing to all Vermonters, especially those with low and moderate-income, disabilities, the homeless, elders and families with children.
- Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) - Vermont Center for Independent Living's mission is to empower Vermonters with disabilities to gain dignity, independence and civil rights.
- VANCRO Integrated Interpreting Services - This service connects those in need of an interpreter with qualified individuals, in order to ensure effective communication with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and DeafBlind people
- Vermont Legal Aid - As a non-profit law firm, Vermont Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income, elderly, and disabled Vermonters.
Commissions throughout New England
The Vermont Human Rights Commission is only one of many in the New England region. We recommend you review the following websites for more information on discrimination in the New England area.
- Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities
- Maine Human Rights Commission
- Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
- New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights
- Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights