This manual provides an overview of the legal principles that govern Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is an abstract of the general principles and issues that concern Federal agency enforcement, and does not and is not intended to provide a complete, comprehensive directory of all cases or issues related to Title VI. For example, this manual does not address all issues associated with private enforcement of Title VI. The manual cites not only cases interpreting Title VI, but Title IX and Section 504 as well. However while statutory interpretations of these laws overlap, they are not fully consistent, and this manual should not be considered to be an overview of any statute other than Title VI.
PDF Version (308K) Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
This manual provides guidance on the investigation of complaints by recipients of Federal financial assistance. It is designed primarily for investigating complaints alleging violations of Title VI. However, its general investigative guidance may be applied to investigating complaints of discrimination under other grant related nondiscrimination statutes as well. This manual contains detailed discussion of the various aspects of complaint processing and resolution, however it is only guidance. For example, the manual suggests timeframes for completion of various tasks of the investigative process. These are only suggestions, and any timeframe contained in a program-specific statute or implementing regulation of any agency would be controlling. The Civil Rights Division hopes to update these manuals from time to time to reflect significant changes in the law. We will post periodic updates to the manuals on the Internet.
Because of the size of the complaint manual, the appendices have been included as separate files in both the HTML and PDF versions. Links within the main body of the manual in both versions may be used to access the appendices. In addition, a separate download page for the PDF version of the manual is available for users who wish to work with the documents off-line. Finally, zipped versions of the entire documents are available at the last two links.
Complaint Investigation Procedures Manual (HTML version) (280K) (Tab 26 is now available in HTML format. December 18, 1998.) Appendices are not part of this file but may be accessed from links within the file.
Complaint Investigation Procedures Manual (PDF version) (400K) Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader Appendices are not part of this file but may be accessed from links within the file.
Download Page for the PDF version of the Manual and Appendices
In using these manuals, remember they are intended only to provide guidance to Federal agencies and other interested entities, and are not intended to, do not, and may not be relied upon to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by any party against the United States.
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