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Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Policies
Notice of Nondiscrimination & Digital Accessibility
The Department of Public Service operates its programs, services, and activities without discriminating on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin (including people who speak a language other than English), ancestry, place of birth, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or breastfeeding.  Discrimination, intimidation, threats, coercion, or retaliation against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights protected by federal or state law is prohibited.
Nondiscrimination Grievance Policy
The Department of Public Service has a policy to ensure quick and fair handling of complaints from the public about discrimination in its programs, services, and activities.
The Department of Public Service Discrimination Grievance Policy Document
Contact Information for Nondiscrimination and Accessibility
If you have questions about the Department’s nondiscrimination policies or programs, believe you have experienced discrimination, or need accommodations related to accessibility and language, please contact Carol Flint or TJ Poor. They are responsible for handling constituent nondiscrimination and accessibility complaints and accommodation requests.
You can reach them by:
Email:
carol.flint@vermont.gov
or
tj.poor@vermont.gov
Phone:
802-828-2811
Mail:
112 State St., Montpelier, VT 05620-2601
These staff members are publicly listed to ensure compliance with legal requirements and to assist with any concerns.
Limitations and Accommodation Requests
The Department is committed to making digital content accessible to everyone and will provide accommodations as needed. However, there may be limitations, such as older documents not being compatible with current assistive technologies. For support in converting documents or to provide feedback on accessibility issues, please use the contact information provided above.
State of Vermont Nondiscrimination Law
The Department of Public Service adheres to federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination. If you have questions or concerns as a State of Vermont employee, please contact the Department of Human Resources at
802-828-3491
. Employment discrimination complaints are addressed in
the Department of Human Resources Personnel Policy Number 3.3
and on the
Department’s Equal Opportunity Employer webpage
The department also follow
the State of Vermont’s ADA/ADAAA Grievance Procedure
to ensure fair and prompt resolution of complaints related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA). This includes employment practices, policies, and the provision of services, activities, programs, and benefits.
Public Service Department Digital Accessibility Initiative
The Department of Public Service is committed to making digital content accessible to all Vermonters, in line with
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Web Content Accessibility Federal Rule
. The department is implementing new standards to meet the communication needs of Vermonters by adopting
the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA
. This initiative enhances the clarity and reach of our communications, fostering a more inclusive digital environment. Guided by the State Universal Digital Accessibility Committee, we aim to apply these standards across all department digital platforms, including third-party applications.
Accessibility Laws and Federal Standards
The ADA Title II protects people with disabilities from discrimination, requiring equal access to programs and services, including accessible web content.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
requires equal access to information and communication technology for people with disabilities, applicable to federal and contracting entities.
A new Federal Rule, issued on April 24, 2024, requires state and local government digital content to meet
WCAG 2.1 AA standards
by April 24, 2026. This rule applies to web content, social media, and mobile apps provided by the department, including third-party applications.
Updated Timeline:
The U.S. Department of Justice has issued an interim final rule (
28 CFR Part 35 [Docket No. CRT150; AG Order No. 6742-2026]
) extending the original April 24, 2026 compliance deadline for these requirements. For additional context on this change, see the Government Technology article,
Federal Accessibility Deadline Will Be Delayed One Year
.”
The final compliance timeline will be established through the federal rulemaking process. The Department of Public Service will continue its accessibility work and will provide updates to web editors and division staff as additional federal and state-specific guidance becomes available.
Federal Nondiscrimination Law
As a recipient of federal funding, the Department of Public Service complies with the following federal nondiscrimination laws:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
(“Title VI”)
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
(“Title IX”)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(“Section 504”)
Age Discrimination Act of 1975
Federal civil rights implementing regulations, including:
Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (requiring that no person on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any program receiving Clean Water Act funding)
Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations
Part 5
and
Part 7
(EPA regulations)
Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations
Parts 7, 16, and 19
and
Section 206.11
(FEMA regulations)
Title 6 Code of Federal Regulations
Part 19
(Department of Homeland Security regulations)