Small Business Counseling for Greater Columbus Ohio

SCORE Nondiscriminatory Basis Policy

Based on the financial assistance the SCORE Association received from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE Chapters are required to provide their counseling and training services to customers on a nondiscriminatory basis. The SCORE Operating Manual (SOM) explains this commitment when it states that all materials developed by chapters must include the disclaimer, “All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.”

The SOM further states that SCORE volunteers shall “Not discriminate in any of their SCORE-related activities against any person because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, handicap or sexual preference.” It adds that SCORE volunteers shall “Not engage in any form of sexual harassment or sexual discrimination”.

Also, as part of the application for SBA assistance, SCORE executes assurances that it will ensure that no otherwise qualified individual shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any activity receiving Federal financial assistance because of that person’s race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age. The laws referenced are Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. This includes ensuring that all notices, promotional items, brochures, publications and media announcements informing the public of events, programs, meetings, seminars, conferences and workshops sponsored or co-sponsored by SBA include an accessibility/accommodation notice, such as: “Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact [name, address, and phone number of person who will make the arrangements].” The SBA Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) is tasked with ensuring SCORE Chapters (and other covered recipients of SBA financial assistance) comply with their Equal Opportunity (EO) requirements.