IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

What is the Iowa Civil Rights Commission?

The Iowa Civil Rights Commission is a neutral, fact-finding administrative agency that enforces the "Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965," Iowa's anti-discrimination law.  The Commission doe not provide legal representation.

Our vision is a state free of discrimination.

Our mission is enforcing civil rights through compliance, mediation, advocacy, and education as we support safe, just, and inclusive communities.

The Commission fights discrimination four ways: (1) investigating and resolving discrimination complaints, (2) reconciliation of complaints by mediators and conciliators, (3) conducting a multi-faceted public education program, and (4) providing consultation and direction for communities wanting to identify and resolve diversity and discrimination issues locally.

What is discrimination?

The "Iowa Civil Rights Act of 1965" prohibits discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and education. Discrimination, or different treatment, is illegal if based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, physical disability, mental disability, retaliation (because of filing a previous discrimination complaint, participating in an investigation of a discrimination complaint, or having opposed discriminatory conduct), age (in employment and credit), familial status (in housing and credit) or marital status (in credit).

What is the process for complaints?

• Frequently Asked Questions about the Complaint Process
• Complaint Forms 

How does the Commission educate the public?

The Commission conducts workshops and seminars on a variety of civil rights topics around the state, publishes and distributes materials on civil rights, and offers an extensive video lending library.

• Frequently Asked Questions about Employment Issues  
• Freqently Asked Questions about Fair Housing  

What materials are available to the public?

The Commission offers free materials: information fact sheets; EEO brochures; fair housing guides, posters and brochures; newsletters; results of testing projects; case reports; annual reports; PowerPoint presentations; and many other educational materials. (Videos for loan require a small fee for handling.)

Call the Commission at 1-800-457-4416 or 515-281-4121 to request a speaker or materials.

Are volunteer workers wanted by the Commission?

Yes! The Iowa Civil Rights Commission welcomes volunteers to work in all phases of complaint processing, testing programs, public education, and administrative support. Work assignments are varied and flexible. You can be an active participant in the fight against discrimination in Iowa.

How do I volunteer?

Call Crystal Schrader, at the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 515-281-0354, or 800-457-4416 ext. 9103547.

What more can I do to fight discrimination?

• Learn what discrimination is and how it harms the individual and society.
• Challenge stereotypes.
• Speak up against discrimination.
• Learn to appreciate diversity, and advocate for greater diversity everywhere.
• Talk to people about the evils of discrimination and the value of diversity.
• Help start diversity appreciation teams in your community, at work, and in the schools; and then participate.
• Participate in Study Circles in your community.

Iowa Local Commissions

• Ames Human Relations Commission 515-239-5101
• Bettendorf Human Relations Commission 319-344-4000
• Burlington Human Rights Commission 319-753-8178
• Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission 319-268-5112
• Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission 319-398-5036
• Clinton Human Rights Commission 319-243-0912
• Council Bluffs Human Relations Commission 712-328-4618
• Davenport Civil Rights Commission 563-326-7888
• Decorah Human Rights Commission 563-382-3651
• Des Moines Human Rights Commission 515-283-4284
• Dubuque Human Rights Commission 319-589-4190
• Fort Dodge Human Rights Commission 515-576-2201
• Grinnell Human Rights Commission 515-236-2605
• Iowa City Human Rights Commission 319-356-5022
• Keokuk Human Relations Commission 319-524-2050
• Marshalltown Human Rights Commission 515-754-5701
• Mason City Human Rights Commission 515-421-3618
• Mount Pleasant Human Rights Commission 319-385-1470
• Sioux City Human Rights Commission 712-279-6985
• Urbandale Civil Rights Commission 515-331-6703
• Waterloo Human Commission on Human Rights 319-291-4441
• West Des Moines Human Rights Commission 515-273-0633

 How do I contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission?