Michigan Department of Civil Rights

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, as we celebrate the power of awareness, we also want to remind you that people living with Down Syndrome are protected from discrimination under the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (PWDCRA) of 1976 which protects individuals with physical and mental disabilities from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, and education.

Learn more about PWDCRAof 1976 by visiting Michigan.gov/mdcr

During the month of October, we're celebrating LGBTQIA+ History Month and honoring the equal protections under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) originally passed in 1976 and signed into law on January 13, 1977 and prohibits discrimination based on gender, identity, or expression in employment, housing, education, and places of public accommodations and public service. On March 16, 2023 the law was updated, explicitly codifying protections for sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

Learn more about your rights and protections available under Michigan law at michigan.gov/MDCR

YOUR VOTING RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED BY LAW

If you believe you have been discriminated against during the voting process, you can file a complaint by calling 800-482-3604 or visiting the Public Portal.

Election Protection Hotlines can provide assistance in multiple languages:

• English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
• Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
• Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
• Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)

Voters with disabilities can contact the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections at 517-335-2730 or [email protected].

For customized, up-to-date, and reliable information about voting in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Vote

Learn your voting rights today.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission will convene its upcoming quarterly public meeting to engage community members and stakeholders in ongoing efforts to advance civil rights across Michigan.

The meeting will also provide updates on current work within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, which is the operational arm of the Commission.

Format: Hybrid
Zoom link for the meeting will be posted on the Commission Schedule page prior to the start of the meeting located HERE: https://ow.ly/2W4g50ZUx5s

📅 Monday, October 26, 2026
🕙10:00 a.m.
📍Courtyard by Marriott at CMU
2400 E Campus Drive
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

There are two opportunities for public comment for those participating in person.

Community members are encouraged to attend. There are two opportunities for public comment for those participating in person.

ASL and CART captioning will be available. Other accessibility accommodations may be provided via request to [email protected] by Monday, October 19, 2026.

During Mental Illness Awareness Week, MDCR is reminding every Michigander that we understand the importance of ensuring people living with mental health conditions are treated fairly and without discrimination.

Mental health conditions may qualify as disabilities under the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (PWDCRA) of 1976: which can provide protections against discrimination in areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations.

If you believe you have experienced discrimination because of a disability, including a qualifying mental health condition, contact MDCR at Michigan.gov/mdcr or 800-482-3604.

Today is the International Day of Non-Violence and MDCR wants to remind you that our work is done in order to help ensure that every Michigander can live in a world free from violence, hate, and discrimination.

Please take a moment today, to reflect on how you can join the movement to create non-violent communities in your area.

REMINDER: You're invited to the The Division on Deaf, Deaf Blind, and Hard of Hearing Advisory Council Meeting

Saturday, October 3
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION CHANGE
MSUFCU Headquarters 2 – Community Room
3899 Coolidge Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823

Individuals who have accommodation requests should contact Emma Heisey at [email protected].

Meeting locations/times to be determined by DODDBHH.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/HlUm50ZB3tH

(Image Description: A white graphic with a square and a rectangle teal boxes in the middle containing the text listed above in the color white. There is a dark blue circle noting the location change and the MDCR logo with the letters MDCR in dark blue. Near the "M" is a Michigan map in dark blue with three swoops in red, yellow, and teal. )

October 19th is the deadline to register to vote online for Michigan's November 3rd election.

In-person registration will remain available at local clerks office through election day.
We have access to reliable and up to date voting rights information, visit Michigan.gov/mdcr/voting-rights.

You can also contact us if you believe that you have been discriminated against during the voting process. Complaints can be filed online at Michigan.gov/MDCR or by calling 800-482-3604.