MCRC Education Equity in Michigan Report
This division supports the state ADA Coordinator in carrying out the duties outlined in Executive Order 2004-31.
CEED seeks to engage a broad range of stakeholders to achieve long-term and sustainable outcomes to complex problems. We collaborate with community organizations; churches; non-profit organizations; and city, county, state and federal government entities to address issues affecting the well-being of community members. Engaging in a collaborative manner is a powerful tool used to bring about environmental, social and behavioral changes that will improve the health of the community and its members.
The mission of the Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing is to affirm the indisputable rights of deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing residents to effective communication. The Division provides advocacy, interpreter testing, technical assistance, and interpreting services for the Governor, legislature, and state departments.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office develops educational training session and resources designed to increase awareness of implicit bias and its impact in the work we do and the people we serve.
CEED’s educational efforts provide customers with information and training about civil rights laws and enhances the awareness of civil rights issues. It provides the public with a resource for the proactive prevention of discrimination within a community.
The primary mission of the MCRC and MDCR is to investigate complaints of discrimination in employment, education, housing, public accommodation, law enforcement and public service.
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February 01, 2019
February 1, 2019
Detroit, MI – In a 6-0 vote, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission (MCRC) approved a resolution directing the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) to send a letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel asking her to reconsider a formal opinion by her predecessor. Commissioners Regina Gasco Bentley and Rasha Demashkeih were excused from the meeting.
In May 2018, the Commission approved an interpretive statement directing MDCR to begin accepting and investigating claims of discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The interpretive statement identified discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression as discrimination based on sex under Michigan’s Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act.
Former Attorney General Bill Schuette issued formal AG Opinion 7305 in July 2018. Schuette’s opinion stated that the Commission had overstepped its statutory authority. The Commission disagreed, noting in July that it was a Constitutionally independent body authorized to enforce civil rights laws.
The request to reconsider the opinion is important, said MDCR Director Dr. Agustin V. Arbulu.
“With a new Attorney General, it is important to know where she stands on the authority of the Commission as it was described by AG Opinion 7305,” said MDCR Director Agustin V. Arbulu. “I am eager to hear from Attorney General Nessel on this matter.”
AG Nessel told the Commission she “welcomed the opportunity” to review the previous opinion.
“I welcome the opportunity to reevaluate this important issue to ensure all people who live in and visit our state are treated equally and fairly under the law,” AG Nessel said.
The Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the operational arm of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, is charged with investigating and resolving discrimination complaints and works to prevent discrimination through educational programs that promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws. The Department also provides information and services to businesses on diversity initiatives and equal employment law. For more information on the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, go to www.michigan.gov/mdcr.
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