{"id":355700,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/enforcing-your-civil-rights\/disaster-assistance-and-your-civil-rights.html"},"modified":"2024-09-27T10:53:49","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T15:53:49","slug":"disaster-assistance-and-your-civil-rights","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/enforcing-your-civil-rights\/disaster-assistance-and-your-civil-rights.html","title":{"rendered":"Legal Protections During Disaster Assistance and Disaster Relief"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Legal Protections During Disaster Assistance and Disaster Relief<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes don’t discriminate. Disaster preparedness and emergency planning aren’t always enough. Natural disasters can hurt everyone. People discriminate, though. You can experience discrimination when you’re most vulnerable. This can include before, after, or during a disaster or emergency.<\/p>\r\n

Discrimination is difficult at any time. Discrimination and accessibility concerns are even more urgent when dealing with a disaster. The stakes involved are incredibly high when your world has been upended. Civil rights laws are available to protect you in your jurisdiction during these difficult times.<\/p>\r\n

Laws Protecting Disaster Survivors’ Civil Rights<\/h2>\r\n

Civil rights statutes and other state laws may apply to disaster-related scenarios. The federal government has also enacted laws protecting disaster victims’ civil rights. These federal protections include:<\/p>\r\n