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.