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Delaware Department of
Agriculture

Nondiscrimination, Accessibility, and Language Access at DDA



Nondiscrimination, Accessibility, and Language Access

This notice of nondiscrimination is available in the following languages:

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, English-language proficiency, disability, or age in the administration of its programs or activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. DDA will not tolerate discrimination, intimidation, threats, coercion, or retaliation against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights protected by federal or state law. As a recipient of federal funding, DDA is required to comply with federal nondiscrimination laws, including the following:

DDA’s compliance extends to federal regulations implementing the above-referenced statutes, including:

  • Department of Homeland Security: Title 6 Code of Federal Regulations Part 17 and Part 21
  • Department of Agriculture: Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations Part 15Part 15aPart 15bPart 15c
  • Department of Defense: Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations Part 56Part 195, and Part 196
  • Environmental Protection Agency: Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 5 and Part 7
  • Department of Interior: Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations Part 17, and Part 41
  • Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency): Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations Part 7 and Part 19
  • Department of Transportation: Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 21Part 25, and Part 27

As a state agency, DDA is also required to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (“ADA”) and its implementing regulations at Title 28 Code of Federal Regulations Part 35. If you have any questions about DDA’s nondiscrimination notice or programs, or if you believe you have been discriminated against with respect to a DDA program or activity, you may contact DDA’s nondiscrimination coordinator as follows:

DDA’s Nondiscrimination Coordinator can be reached as follows:

Contact Information:
Michael Lewis
Nondiscrimination Coordinator
Delaware Department of Agriculture
2320 S Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
DDA_Complaints@delaware.gov
302-698-4500

Online Accessibility

The DDA website is designed with accessibility in mind. Efforts are made to eliminate barriers that may prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing or interacting with our online content.

All pages feature a “Listen” button for audio narration, along with text size adjustment controls and a page mask tool to help users focus on specific content areas.

To enhance readability, DDA pages are structured using shorter paragraphs and appropriate whitespace. All images include descriptive alternative text to support screen reader users and those with visual impairments.

Language Assistance Services

To serve individuals with limited English proficiency, DDA provides free interpretation and translation services upon request. DDA interpretation services are intended to help those with limited English proficiency. If you need accommodations with accessing these forms, please reach out to the nondiscrimination coordinator.

The department can provide:

  • Oral interpretation of documents
  • Live interpretation services for meetings and events
  • Information on DDA programs in alternate formats or in languages other than English

To ask for help, please submit a request using the interpretation services request form, or contact us at DDA_complaints@delaware.gov.

Please be aware that, in some cases, the department will need a bit of lead time. This applies in cases where there are deadlines or specific dates involved.

DDA’s Commitment to Disability Access

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 provides that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability shall, solely by reason of their disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) provides reasonable modifications and auxiliary aids to persons with disabilities free of cost.

Note: This information is based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice and is provided to help individuals understand their rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Filing an External Disability Complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section – 1425 NYAV
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

For additional information, visit the DOJ Civil Rights site:
civilrights.justice.gov


Complaints Procedures

The following options are available for people who have concerns or complaints about services provided by DDA or DDA practices.

Informal Complaints

DDA encourages anyone with concerns about potential failure to provide services or discrimination in providing services to first discuss the matter with either of DDA’s Nondiscrimination Coordinator. Individuals are not required to pursue the informal process first and may engage the formal complaint (grievance) process as their first step if preferred.

The purpose of the informal complaint process is to make a good faith effort to resolve the issue quickly and efficiently. However, the individual may ask to implement the formal process at any time during the informal resolution. If you have concerns about services provided by DDA or DDA practices, or if you would like to relay your experiences to DDA without making a formal complaint, please contact Mike Lewis at 302-698-4500 or DDA_Complaints@delaware.gov.

Filing A Formal Complaint (Grievance Procedure) with DDA

DDA has established a procedure to ensure prompt and fair resolution of discrimination complaints. They may be resolved informally, by agreement of the parties, or formally, through written complaint, investigation, and department decision.

Grievances may be filed by an individual or their representative. They must be filed no later than sixty days after the date of the alleged discrimination, unless DDA grants an extension. The DDA Civil Rights Grievance Form may be submitted by fax, email, or postal mail.

The procedure conforms to federal law (40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

The grievance procedure covers all complaints alleging discrimination, not related to employment, due to an individual’s race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, age, or disability or retaliation for exercising rights under applicable non-discrimination laws and regulations in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and other related federal and state civil rights statutes and regulations previously listed above.

The department maintains a public log of grievances that are submitted.

Filing an External Title VI Complaint with the US EPA

This information is sourced from the Filing a Discrimination Complaint (EPA) website.

Anyone who believes that an entity that receives financial assistance from EPA has discriminated against someone on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, disability or age; or has engaged in intimidation or retaliation prohibited by EPA’s nondiscrimination regulation, may file a complaint.

Retaliation

EPA is committed to fostering an environment where individuals can invoke these grievance procedures without fear of retaliation or reprisal. EPA explicitly prohibits retaliation against any individual for any purpose, including for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege guaranteed under any state or federal statutes or regulations because that individual has filed a complaint or has testified, assisted, or participated in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing of any kind or has opposed any practice made unlawful under any state or federal statutes or regulations. Prohibited retaliatory acts include intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination against any such individual or group. Any concern regarding retaliation should be reported to the Non-Discrimination Coordinator.

What Information Must a Complaint Include?

If you believe you have been discriminated against in any DDA program or activity, you may file a civil rights complaint. Detailed grievance procedures and forms will be available shortly.

  • The complaint must be in writing, clearly identify who the sender is, include their signature, and provide EPA with contact information.
  • The complaint should identify the entity which allegedly committed the discrimination. EPA can only investigate complaints filed against an entity which receives financial assistance from EPA.
  • The complaint must allege discrimination prohibited by one of the laws EPA enforces. Describe in detail why you believe discrimination occurred on the basis of race, color, national origin (including LEP), sex, disability, age, or retaliation.
  • The complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discrimination. Extensions may be granted for good cause.

Where do I send my complaint?

Mail Complaint Information To:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of External Civil Rights
Mail code 2310A
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20460
Email: Title_VI_Complaints@epa.gov
Fax: (202) 564-3316

Delaware Demographic Data

The Delaware Department of Agriculture is committed to ensuring all individuals can fully access and participate in its programs, services, and activities. As part of that commitment, we monitor demographic information to better understand and anticipate the needs of Delaware’s diverse population.

Population

The latest available data from the Delaware Population Consortium (DPC), projected the population of Delaware for 2025, is 1,047,751. The median age is approximately 42 years.

Race and Ethnicity Data

  • White alone: 61.8%
  • Black or African American alone: 21.9%
  • American Indian & Alaska Native alone: 0.37%
  • Asian alone: 4.09%
  • Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.04%
  • Some other race alone: 4.10%
  • Two or more races: 7.64%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 10.7%

Age

  • Under 18 years: 21%
  • 18-64 years: 59%
  • 65 years or over: 20%

Sex

  • Male: 48%
  • Female: 52%

Disability

As of the most recent data, approximately 13.8% of Delaware’s population reported a disability.

Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in Delaware

LEP in Delaware, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, is as follows for the top four non-English languages spoken at home:

  • Spanish: 7.8%
  • Chinese: 0.8%
  • Haitian Creole: 0.6%
  • Korean: 0.4%

The State monitors this data to ensure that residents with limited English proficiency have meaningful access to programs, services, and activities.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau – Delaware Language Data



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