Civil Rights Division Statement Regarding World AIDS Day 2019

On World AIDS Day 2019, the Department of Justice reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) can live their lives free from unlawful discrimination.  This work is carried out through enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other civil rights laws; nationwide outreach; and by providing technical assistance to members of the public.  In the year to come, the Department will continue to lead efforts to ensure that the more than one million Americans with HIV and AIDS can lead lives free from discrimination and stigma.  In recognizing World AIDS Day 2019, Eric Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, stated: 

“The Department of Justice plays a central role in safeguarding the civil rights of all individuals.  While our federal partners and people in communities across America work tirelessly to eradicate HIV altogether, we rededicate ourselves at the department to eradicating unlawful treatment of those already living with HIV and AIDS.  The World AIDS Day observance allows us to reflect on the work we’ve done and to redouble our efforts for the year to come.”

The Civil Rights Division’s enforcement efforts help to ensure that people with HIV and AIDS are not turned away when seeking treatment or services.  Toward that end, we continue to actively monitor compliance with existing settlements reached in various settings based on allegations of unlawful treatment of people living with HIV, those regarded as having HIV, and/or those associated with people who have HIV.  These include a correctional facility in Louisiana; a school district in Arkansas; medical providers in Georgia and Wisconsin; and an addiction treatment center in Kansas.

Further, the Department has continued its efforts to educate people living with HIV and AIDS, businesses, state and local governments, and public employers on their rights and responsibilities under the ADA.  Department staff have spoken on HIV discrimination at national conferences and with community legal and social services organizations, providing critical information to affected populations and covered entities.  The Department also provides technical assistance and responds to questions from individuals and covered entities through our ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

On World AIDS Day 2019, we honor those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and we reaffirm our commitment to those living with HIV and AIDS through our enforcement, education, and technical assistance work.

To learn more about the Department’s work, please visit www.ada.gov/hiv.