Dawn Clark,

Disability Intake Worker

Anthony Ortiz,

Housing Discrimination Intake Worker

Sundar Layalu,

Intern

The Office of Human Rights strives to ensure that all city residents are treated fairly and equally by reducing bias, bigotry and prejudices. Through outreach, educational programs, events and advocacy the office promotes ways to increase respect in our community and safeguards full and equal access and opportunity for all. The office and the Human Rights Commission receive and investigate complaints, provide referrals and advocate in support of human rights issues in partnership with local, state and federal organizations and agencies.

The Office on Disabilities ensures that all Worcester residents and visitors with disabilities have access to city programs and services by providing information and referral, advocacy, outreach and educational programs. In addition, the office works in cooperation with city departments and agencies to bring about full and equal participation by people with disabilities.

Worcester, MA (November 12, 2014) - The city of Worcester has been awarded a perfect 100 by the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization.

 

The Human Rights Campaign today released its annual Municipal Equality Index report. Worcester made a dramatic leap in just one year. Last year, the city was given a 55.

 

Because of that, Worcester was one of a handful of cities to be highlighted as a success story, with an essay by City Manager Edward Augustus, who helped lead many of the changes that led to Worcester's perfect score.

 

"When I became city manager, I made improving the city's record on LGBT rights a priority," Augustus said. "Some of these are small steps, but taken as a whole they tell a story: that Worcester is a place where all are welcome to live, work and play."

 

The City Council was also instrumental in passing many of the changes needed to boost the city's score. Every initiative needed to improve Worcester's score was passed by the council unanimously.

 

"The perfect score we've received from the HRC is a reflection of our City's commitment to welcoming all residents regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity," Mayor Joseph Petty said. "It is a priority of my administration that we make the City of Worcester a welcoming place to all individuals and families. The marked improvement over last year's score shows that the efforts we have made to be more inclusive and sensitive to the needs of the LGBTQ community are working."

 

In the past year, Worcester has made a host of changes, including:

• Passing protections against discrimination in places of public accommodation.
• Banning discrimination in city employment. Worcester now provides medical benefits for transgender individuals and ensures equal family leave. And the city affirmatively forbids discrimination in awarding city contracts to contractors.
• Worcester also sought to deepen the city's connection with the community, including adding a LGBTQ liaison in both the city manager's office and the police department.

The full report, including detailed scorecards for every city and Worcester's Success Story profile, is available online at www.hrc.org/mei. 

The City of Worcester's Human Rights Commission is honoring Laura J. Farnsworth of Safe Homes and Anh Vu Sawyer of the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts as this year's Eleanor T. Hawley Human Rights Awardees. The awards will be presented at our annual event to commemorate the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on Tuesday December 9^th, 2014 at 5pm. The award ceremony and reception will be held in the Levi Lincoln chamber of City Hall. An open invitation is extended to the public Please RSVP to humanrights@worcesterma.gov.

The Worcester Fair Housing Project (WFHP) is a joint project between Community Legal Aid and the City of Worcester that provides advice and representation to anyone in Worcester County who has been the victim of housing discrimination. The WFHP has assisted clients in a range of discrimination claims, including racial harassment, refusal to rent due to family status, refusal to remove lead paint, interference with housing subsidies, and discrimination based on disability.

 

In addition to litigation, the WFHP conducts education workshops on fair housing laws for tenant groups, social service providers, landlords and other community members.

 

The WFHP also trains civil rights investigators to "test" whether housing discrimination is occurring in the county, to support litigation or promote equitable settlements for project clients.

 

For more information, to request training or schedule an appointment for a housing discrimination screening, contact the Office of Human Rights at (508) 799-8486 or visit the Human Rights Outreach Office in Room 303, City Hall.

• WFHP and Lead Paint Brochures 
   

Would you like to make a difference in your community? Apply today to join a city board or commission. The Commission on Disability and Human Rights Commission currently have vacancies. Visit the city's website for more information or  Apply online.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is turning 25 next year and we are planning to celebrate. We need your help to plan. Please take 1 minute to answer these simple questions. Honest, just 1 minute: Take survey

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