Discrimination is Against the Law
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) adheres to all applicable federal non-discrimination laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other relevant non-discrimination statutes. DOH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected under federal law.
Additionally, DOH complies with the Washington Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60) and does not discriminate on the bases of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identify, gender expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
DOH strictly prohibits retaliation and intimidation against individuals who engage in protected activities, such as filing a discrimination complaint or participating in an investigation. The Civil Rights & ADA Program will review retaliation and/or intimidation complaints filed by DOH customers against DOH employees and its providers.
In accordance with 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, DOH also does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities it operates. DOH ensures that no person is excluded or treated differently because of these characteristics.
Free Aids and Services
The Washington State Department of Health provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:
- Qualified sign language interpreters
- Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats)
The Washington State Department of Health also provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:
- Qualified interpreters
- Information written in other languages
If you need assistance with these services, contact Javier Ruiz at:
DOH Civil Rights & ADA Program
PO Box 47890, Olympia, WA 98504-47890
(833) 428-3703
Email the Civil Rights Program: Civil.Rights@doh.wa.gov
Non-Discrimination Coordinator
DOH has designated Javier Ruiz, Civil Rights & ADA Program Manager, as its non-discrimination coordinator to ensure compliance with DOH's civil rights obligations, including addressing discrimination complaints. Any DOH customer may contact Javier Ruiz with questions related to equitable access to DOH services and DOH's civil rights obligations.
Discrimination Complaints
If you believe DOH has failed to provide these services or has engaged in discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, or any other protected class, you may file a complaint with the Civil Rights & ADA Program within 180 days of the incident.
Complaints may be submitted in writing using the complaint form (PDF), via email, mail, in person, or via phone:
- Form: Discrimination Complaint Form - print or email version (PDF)
- Email: Civil.Rights@doh.wa.gov
- Mail: DOH Civil Rights & ADA Program, PO Box 47890, Olympia, WA 98504-47890
- Phone: (833) 428-3703
Learn more about the discrimination complaint procedure.
Additional Complaint Options
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
You may file a civil rights complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights, through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, or by mail or phone at:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue SW, Room 509F, HHH Building, Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)
Learn more about how to file a complaint with HHS.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
If a complaint is related to a recipient of EPA funds, you may file a complaint with the EPA at:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of External Civil Rights Compliance
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460
Email: Title_VI_Complaints@epa.gov
Learn more about how to file a complaint with the EPA.
Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC)
WSHRC enforces the Washington Law Against Discrimination, chapter 49.60 RCW. You may file a complaint through the WSHRC online portal, or at:
Washington State Human Rights Commission
PO Box 42490, Olympia, WA 98504-2490
Email: frontdesk@hum.wa.gov
Learn more about how to file a complaint with the WSHRC.