Department of Civil Rights: City of Madison, Wisconsin

HOW TO FILE AN INFORMAL SERVICE DELIVERY DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT

If you feel that you have been treated differently because of your race, color, national origin, you may file a complaint. If you were wrongfully denied services, or if the treatment you received was separate or different from others, or if the program was not accessible to you, it may be discrimination.

You may file an informal discrimination complaint with the recipient agency, or you may file a formal discrimination complaint with a state or federal agency. No one may threaten or harass you for making a complaint. No one may threaten or harass your witnesses because they are willing to say what they saw, heard or experienced.

Clients may file an informal complaint with the City of Madison's Affirmative Action Department.

How to File a Formal Complaint

All formal complaints must be filed within 180 days of the event or treatment you feel was discrimination. However, you should file the complaint as soon as possible after the action took place. If you file an informal complaint and you are not satisfied with the resolution, you can still file a formal complaint as long as you do it within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. Do not wait until after the 180 days to get an answer to the informal complaint if you plan to make a formal complaint.

If you wish to file a formal discrimination complaint, you may send the completed complaint form directly to the state or federal agency that provides funds for the program where you believe the discrimination is occurring. Include a letter stating that you are making a formal complaint to their agency as the funding source. Staff of the state or federal agency will look into your complaint and will act on your complaint within 30 days.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance, U.S. Department of Labor, 230 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60603, Telephone: (312) 353-2158 or TDD (312) 353-2158 will accept complaints against federal contractors and subcontractors based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. File within 180 days of the last violation.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division 10th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20530 accepts complaints of discrimination in service delivery or employment based on race, color, national origin or ancestry, age, religion, disability, gender and political affiliation. They have an ADA Public Access Telephone with recorded message information including additional telephone numbers for employment, services, transportation, public accommodation and commercial facilities, and telecommunication relays. ADA Public Access operating hours are 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Central Time only: (202) 514-0301 or TDD (800) 800-3302.