Outreach and Education

The Commission's mandate to eliminate and prevent discrimination through education and advocacy continues to be an important part of our work. During FY 91, the Commission fulfilled requests for 47 non-housing presentations, 28 for the public sector and 19 for the private sector. This outreach was made possible by the participation of professional staff in scheduling and preparing for these events.

Agency staff is trained and available to present programs ranging from an explanation of the agency's jurisdiction and services to specific topics such as preventing sexual harassment, non-discriminatory employee selection, preventing age discrimination, and fair housing practices. In addition, staff responds to hundreds of calls and letters asking for general and specific information on civil rights and related topics. Consultations with employers and landlords on non-discriminatory practices are also provided upon request.

Regularly-scheduled publications produced in FY 91 include the Annual Report, three issues of the newsletter, the Communicator, and Case Reports Volumes IX and X. A brochure, "Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: It's Against the Law" was published in cooperation with the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, Department of Human Rights, and has been widely distributed. Three new video training programs were acquired: 'Taking a Stand," "Race and Sex Discrimination in the Workplace: What You Need to Know," and "Age Discrimination: No Gray Areas." These films are used in presentations or are available for loan.

1991 Annual Report Main Page