How to use nondiscrimination statement, poster

As a federal contractor, UC ANR is required to display the nondiscrimination statement (i.e. the Statement) in a variety of situations and publications. We may as well include, here, the “And Justice for All” poster (i.e., the Poster), too.  Why? Because the purpose behind both the Statement and the Poster is basically the same: to inform people of their right to equal treatment and protection from discrimination when participating in any program receiving federal financial assistance – such as Cooperative Extension activities.

I'm sure many of you are aware of the length of the nondiscrimination statement – it's pretty hefty.

Are we required to use the full-length version in all publications, newsletters or flyers?

The USDA informs us that “departmental regulation does not specify how short a document needs to be in order to use the short version of the nondiscrimination statement” (https://www.nifa.usda.gov/equal-opportunity-civil-rights/office-equal-opportunity-civil-rights-faqs ). However, they do say that for compliance purposes, they will “. . . consider any document longer than two pages to be in need of the longer version.” There does exist a shortened version of the Statement. If you find yourself in a quandary about which version (long or short) to use, feel free to contact me and we can discuss your particular situation.

Any presentation of the Statement in print material must be legible and in the same font size as the rest of the publication where the Statement is appearing.

Similarly, if you reproduce the Poster from the USDA website, for example, it must be on 11 x 17 size paper. If you were to use 8.5 x 11 paper, the print would be so small, it would be unreadable. The Poster printed on 8.5 x 11 paper is not in compliance.

How about electronic publications? 

In a USDA-NIFA training from 2021, they stated in a Powerpoint slide: “The full nondiscrimination statement must be included on all print and non-print materials (including but not limited to, audio, video, website, brochures, newsletter, etc.).” In their own presentation, they simply displayed the entire Statement on a slide at the beginning of the training – well, two slides, since the Statement is so long. (I know I have been negligent in this department, but from now on – any Powerpoint training I put together will definitely include the FULL Statement!)

Interestingly, NIFA goes on to say, “But virtual use of EO notification (i.e., equal opportunity notification – i.e., the Statement) does not obviate the need to utilize the “And Justice for All” poster in physical spaces, such as Extension offices.”  NIFA has also specified that the Poster is to be displayed at 4-H summer camps, and in conference or meeting rooms where public presentations occur.

How about other languages? 

UC ANR has the nondiscrimination statement translated into Spanish and it's available on the Affirmative Action website: Nondiscrimination Statements - ANR Employees. The Poster is also printed in both English and Spanish. Other languages may be available by contacting NIFA.