The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO)
Office of Civil Rights (OCR) provides leadership, direction, and guidance
in carrying out its equal opportunity and civil rights responsibilities.
The USPTO promotes equal opportunity by a continuing affirmative program
that identifies and eliminates discriminatory practices and policies.
Its mission includes:
- ensuring equal employment opportunity and affirmative employment
for its employees and job applicants; and
- ensuring equal opportunity and accessibility for users of programs
and services operated or funded by the USPTO.
In support of its mission, the USPTO manages reasonable accommodation
requests, discrimination complaint processing, and special emphasis programs.
Its complaint program provides for the prompt, fair, and impartial processing
of complaints from USPTO employees and applicants for employment involving
issues of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, and/or retaliation
for engaging in protected activity.
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