Complaint Forms / General Inquiries

Have a question or need assistance? Please contact the Office of Civil Rights through one of these forms.

The City of Austin complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. The City of Austin does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.

If you need an interpreter or translation, please contact us at 512-974-3251. 

Language Access Complaint Form

The City of Austin's language access policy requires certain public-facing agencies to offer interpretation services in any language and to translate important documents into at least the top twelve most common non-English languages in the city. If you have had trouble with our departments'/agencies' language access services, please complete this form. 

Send your completed form to: officeofcivilrights@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-3251 for assistance. 

PDF City of Austin Language Access Complaint Form

Title VI Complaint Process

The City of Austin, as a recipient of Federal financial assistance and under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes, ensures that no person shall on the grounds of race, income status, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination or retaliation under any federally or non-federally funded City programs or activities administered by the City or its contractors.

1. Any person who believes that he or she, individually, or as a member of any specific class has been subject to discrimination may file a complaint. A complaint may also be filed by a representative on behalf of such a person or group
2. Title VI complaints must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged act of discrimination. Complaints must include the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged discrimination.
3. Complaints can be submitted to TxDOT’s Civil Rights Division by completing the External Discrimination Complaint Form. The complaint form requires detailed information, including signatures.
4. TxDOT will determine which agency has jurisdiction to handle the complaint. If TxDOT does not have jurisdiction, the complaint will be routed to the appropriate agency for investigation. If TxDOT does have jurisdiction, the complaint will be investigated, and an attempt will be made to determine the proper course of action.
5. The City Manager or their Designee for the city department will be informed of the complaint by copy of the appropriate complaint correspondence or other appropriate means.
6. Agencies will request documents and information from the complainant, schedule interviews with relevant parties, and conduct site visits as necessary.
7. No person who has filed a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in the investigation of a complaint, shall be intimidated, threatened, coerced, or discriminated against in retaliation for such participation.

External  Discrimination Complaint Form  

Formulario de Denuncia de Discriminación Externa

FHWA's Questions and Answers for Complaints Alleging Violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Employment

Not all employers are covered by the laws we enforce, and not all employees are protected. This can vary depending on the type of employer, the number of employees it has, and the type of discrimination alleged. Also, there are strict time limits for filing a charge that you should be aware of. Because of this, we strongly urge you to read the following information to help determine your rights and what action you need to take.

Coverage
Is your employer covered? Are you protected?

Timeliness
How long do you have to file a charge?

Discrimination by Type

If you believe you have been discriminated against under non-discrimination laws, please contact us by emailofficeofcivilrights@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-3251 and ask to speak with an Employment Intake Investigator.

Fair Housing

42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-19

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, national origin, and disability. It also requires that all federal programs relating to housing and urban development be administered in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing.

Our office as a Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) also accepts complaints of discrimination based on: creed, student status, marital status, age, or source of income under City of Austin Ordinance.

More information is available from https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

If you believe you have been discriminated against under the Fair Housing laws, you may complete the form below or print the form. You may complete the digital complaint form, email the PDF to OfficeofCivilRights@austintexas.gov, or print and mail the PDF to 505 Barton Springs Road, 5th Floor, Austin, TX 78704. 

PDF Office of Civil Rights Fair Housing Intake Questionnaire

Public Accommodations

Under TITLE 5. - CIVIL RIGHTS. | Code of Ordinances a person is entitled to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of a public accommodation, without discrimination or segregation based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protective hairstyle, reproductive health action, or disability.  Public accommodations are privately-owned spaces that serve and are open to the general public, including restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and places of exhibition or entertainment (such as a bar with live music, a sports stadium, or a movie theater). Title II does not cover all businesses open to the public, such as places that require membership, private clubs, or government agencies.

If you believe you have been discriminated against under this ordinance, you may print and complete the PDF form.

Send your completed form to: officeofcivilrights@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-3251 for assistance.

PDF Public Accommodation & title III ADA Complaint For (English) 

PDF Public Accommodation & title III ADA Complaint For (Spanish)

Flyer: Know your Rights: Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (English) 

Flyer: Know your Rights: Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Spanish) 

Flyer: Know your Rights: Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Simplified Chinese) 

Flyer: Know your Rights: Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Traditional Chinese) 

Flyer: Know your Rights: Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Korean) 

Flyer: Know your Rights: Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Vietnam) 

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the City of Austin will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, the City of Austin will provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in City of Austin programs, services, and activities. Additionally, reasonable modifications to City of Austin policies and programs will be made to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. 

For information regarding the American with Disabilities Act, please visit: www.ada.gov

City of Austin ADA Coordinator: David Ondich

Email: ada@austintexas.gov| Phone: (512)-974-3256

PDF Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Complaint Form

PDF Título II de la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades (ADA) Queja

Tenant's Right to Organize

§ 4-14-121 of the City’s Municipal Code of Ordinances, purpose of this article is to grant a right to a tenant to establish or participate in a tenant organization. A landlord may not intentionally interfere or allow another to interfere with a tenant's right to exercise the activities defined in Section 4-14-124 (Right Established).

If you believe you have been discriminated against under this ordinance, you may print and complete the PDF form.

Send your completed form to: officeofcivilrights@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-3251 for assistance. 

PDF Tenant's Right to Organize Complaint Form (English) 

PDF Tenant's Rights to Organize Complaint Form (Spanish)

Fair Chance Hiring

The City of Austin’s Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance aims to reduce recidivism and unemployment and increase re-integration for qualified job applicants with criminal histories. Our role is to educate employers and residents about the protections and requirements under Chapter 4-15 - Fair Chance Hiring. The chapter covers private employers with 15 or more employees. Our office investigates complaints and seeks voluntary compliance with this chapter.  A complaint must be filed with the Office of Civil Rights no later than the 100 calendar days after the alleged violation.

PDF Fair Chance Hiring Complaint Form (English)

Sexual Harassment 

The City of Austin has adopted the requirements under Section 21.141 of the Texas Labor Code regarding sexual harassment under the City of Austin Municipal Code of Ordinances, § 5-3-5 - SEXUAL HARASSMENT. Like the Texas Workforce Commission, the City's ordinance covers private employers geographically located within Austin City limits with less than 15 employees. Anyone who works for a company with just one employee has protection from sexual harassment.   Employers with 15 or more employees are covered by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended and investigated under federal EEOC guidelines.  A person must file a complaint alleging sexual harassment within 300 days of the alleged sexual harassment. All other discrimination claims under Texas law are subject to the normal 180-day filing deadline.

PDF Employment Intake Questionnaire (English) 

WORD Employment Intake Questionnaire (Spanish)