Notice of Nondiscrimination

The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or service that it provides. NEMA will not tolerate intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any individual or group. This policy establishes a framework for taking reasonable steps to ensure access to all services provided by NEMA for NEMA's Membership and establishes procedures whereby NEMA will receive and investigate allegations of discrimination.

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the overarching civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, in any program, service, or activity that receives federal assistance. Specifically, Title VI assures 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 benefit of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance.” Nondiscrimination prohibitions have been further broadened and supplemented by related statutes, regulations, and executive orders
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education or training program receiving federal financial assistance, with a limited number of defined exceptions
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), which forbids discrimination on the basis of an individual's disability by all federal agencies and in all federally funded activities
  • The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, which prohibits discrimination in federally supported activities on the basis of age
  • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulation 6 C.F.R. Part 19, which prohibits discrimination based on religion in social service programs
  • NEMA does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Please see NEMA's equal opportunity statement to learn more.

NEMA is actively engaged in Title VI activities as a recipient of federal assistance from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

What Does This Mean?

NEMA will not restrict an individual in any way from the enjoyment of any advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving any service, regardless of the funding source. Individuals may not be subjected to criteria or methods of administration which cause adverse impact because of their race, color, or national origin, or have the effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the program because of race, color or national origin.

NEMA will not tolerate intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any individual or group for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege guaranteed under law or regulations, or because the individual has filed a complaint or has testified, assisted, or participated in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing or has opposed any NEMA action or decision.

NEMA does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.

NEMA will take reasonable measures to provide access to NEMA's services to individuals with limited ability to speak, write, or understand English and/or to those with disabilities. Please see NEMA's equal opportunity statement to learn more.

Filing a Complaint

Within 180 days of the alleged discrimination, complainants may submit a written or verbal complaint to the NEMA Nondiscrimination Program Coordinator.

Complaints must include the complainant’s name, the nature of the complaint, the dates of the complaint, requested action, and contact information. 

If you believe NEMA has discriminated against you, you can contact the NEMA Nondiscrimination Program Coordinator to file a complaint.

E-mail
nema_nondiscrimination@csg.org (fastest method to submit your complaint)


U.S. Mail:
National Emergency Management Association
ATTN: NEMA Nondiscrimination Program Coordinator 
1776 Avenue of the States
Lexington, KY 40511

Complaint Processing

NEMA’s goal is to address complaints within 60 days of receipt, though the time to carefully investigate complaints may be longer depending on the nature of the complaint and complexity of the issue.

Within 60 days of the complaint, the NEMA Nondiscrimination Program Coordinator will review the complaint and may solicit additional information from the complainant as needed.

If additional information is requested and not received, the case may be closed. The case may also be closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

If the complaint is outside of NEMA's scope of services, the complainant will be notified of the name and contact information for the appropriate agency with jurisdiction, if known.

For complaints that warrant resolution NEMA will follow the following steps: 

  • NEMA will notify the complainant in writing that a preliminary inquiry is underway to determine the need for further investigation.
  • If the preliminary inquiry by NEMA indicates that an investigation is warranted, the complainant will be notified in writing and an interview will be scheduled.
  • If the preliminary inquiry indicates an investigation is not warranted, the complainant will be notified in writing of the reasons why and factors considered.
  • NEMA will carefully investigate complaints promptly and impartially processed by the NEMA Nondiscrimination Program Coordinator.
  • The complainant will be notified in writing of the results of the investigation and what actions will be/have been taken in response and a timeline to request review.

 

Access to Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

NEMA will take reasonable steps ensure NEMA's Membership has access to NEMA's services and that accommodation is available to facilitate the participation of those persons with English language proficiency.

When reasonable and when funding is available, NEMA will provide, at no cost, appropriate auxiliary aids and services including qualified interpreters to LEP persons, to disabled persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and other individuals as necessary to ensure effective communication or an equal opportunity to participate fully in the decision making process.

View NEMA's Language Access Policy

 

Notice of Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities

NEMA will take reasonable steps ensure individuals have access to NEMA's services and that accommodation is available to facilitate the participation of persons with a disability.

When reasonable and when funding is available, NEMA will provide, at no cost, appropriate accommidation to persons with disabilities to participate in and benefit from NEMA's programs, activities, and services.

View NEMA's Equal Opportunity Policy for Individuals with Disabilities.

Questions? Please Contact NEMA

NEMA Nondiscrimination Program Coordinator
nema_nondiscrimination@csg.org