[learn_more caption="Why does the County have a Human Rights Commission?"] Cape Cod residents report that discrimination remains a barrier to equal opportunity in our community. According to recent research, 28% of surveyed Cape households report significant barriers to meeting basic needs, with discrimination being the most frequently identified problem. Currently, approximately 125 cases from Barnstable County filed over the past five years, are still under investigation at the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination in Boston. Because the towns of Cape Cod are the most geographically isolated from state and federal anti-discrimination agencies in Massachusetts, a local Human Rights Commission is a crucial resource for ensuring equal opportunity in all our Cape Cod communities. As a member of the Massachusetts Association of Human Rights and Human Relations Commissions, (MAHRC) we join similar commissions across the state who share Barnstable County’s commitment to civil rights and diversity.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption="Who is protected against discrimination?"]
All people have the right to equal opportunity in housing, employment, public accommodations, education and healthcare without regard for:
race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, marital status, familial status/children or pregnancy (including need for deleading of a rental property), veteran status, status as a recipient of public assistance (source of income), or past involvement in a discrimination complaint.
These rights are secured by federal and state law as well as the local ordinance that creates the BCHRC[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption="What will the BCHRC do when an individual calls with a problem?"] The first step is to complete an intake either in person or by telephone. Based upon the information, the Coordinator determines the best course of action to resolve the complaint which may include mediation, referral to an advocate or attorney or referral to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.[/learn_more]
[learn_more caption="How can the HRC assist businesses, non-profits and public agencies with concerns about discrimination?"]
One of the BCHRC’s primary functions is to provide proactive education and outreach to the community in an effort to promote equal opportunity and prevent discrimination. The BCHRC is a resource for all individuals and groups with questions about equal opportunity responsibilities. BCHRC will provide annual training on current developments in equal opportunity law and best practices for promoting civil rights and diversity.
BCHRC is part of a network of government agencies and service organizations that share our mission and offer practical services specific to the many different issues within the broad category of human rights. A crucial part of the BCHRC mission is to connect Cape Cod residents with agencies and organizations that can partner in the effort to quickly and effectively resolve any issues brought to the BCHRC.[/learn_more]
