What Title VI Does & Does Not Do

What Title VI Does

Title VI was enacted to ensure equal distribution of federal funds regardless of race, color, or national origin. Because of this, Title VI:

Encourages the participation of minorities as members of planning or advisory bodies for programs receiving federal funds
Prohibits discriminatory activity in a facility built in whole or part with federal funds
Prohibits entities from denying an individual any service, financial aid, or other benefit because of race, color, or national origin
Prohibits entities from providing a different service or benefit, or providing these in a different manner from those provided to others under the program
Prohibits entities from requiring different standards or conditions as prerequisites for serving individuals
Prohibits locating facilities in any way that would limit or impede access to a federally funded service or benefit
Prohibits segregation or separate treatment in any manner related to receiving program services or benefits
Requires assurance of nondiscrimination in purchasing of services
Requires entities to notify the respective population about applicable programs
Requires information and services to be provided in languages other than English when significant numbers of beneficiaries are of limited English speaking ability

According to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title VI does not apply to the following situations:

Direct benefit programs such as Social Security
Employment, except where employment practices result in discrimination against program beneficiaries or where the purpose of the federal assistance is to provide employment
Federal assistance provided through insurance or guaranty contracts (i.e., FHA loan insurance)

Additionally, Title VI does not only apply to contracts and set-aside programs.