On July 10, 2014, Social Security issued updated instructions for all direct-service employees on how to accept requests for and provide accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Social Security presumes that individuals with disabilities are capable of doing business with the agency without an accommodation unless they make a request. To request an accommodation, beneficiaries may:
- Call SSA National 800 Number;
- Visit a local field office (FO), including a Social Security Number Card Center, or hearing office (HO);
- Call an FO or HO where they would like to receive the accommodation; or
- Write to an FO or HO where they would like to receive the accommodation.
Individuals do not have to prove a disability when requesting an accommodation. Social Security must accept accommodations requests based on the individual’s alleged disability. Social Security will provide standard accommodations in all agency offices without “special handling or approval by a member of management.” Standard accommodations include:
- Certified and Qualified Sign Language Interpreter
- Certified and Qualified Video Remote Sign Language Interpreter;
- Handwritten notes; and
- Lip reading or speech reading.
SSA must provide Special Notice Options (SNO) for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. SNO are “standard accommodations" that may include:
- Standard print notices sent by first-class mail;
- Standard print notices sent by certified mail;
- Standard print notices sent by first-class mail with a follow-up telephone call;
- Standard print notices and Braille notices sent by first-class mail;
- Standard print notices and data compact discs that contain a Microsoft Word file sent by first-class mail;
- Standard print notices and audio compact discs that contain a voice recording of the notice sent by first-class mail; and
- Standard print notices and large print (18-point font) notices sent by first-class mail.
Individuals may select only one SNO option. Requests for more than one SNO option, or for an individual with an impairment type other than blind or visually impaired, are considered non-standard accommodation requests, and should be referred to the Center for Section 504 Compliance. Individuals who are blind or visually impaired may also request notices in an alternate format online through by going to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/accessibility/
If the “standard” accommodation will not provide an individual with a disability with meaningful access, he or she has the option to request a “non-standard accommodation.” Social Security staff must consult with management on non-standard accommodation requests.
For more information about Social Security's policies regarding accommodations, go to POMS GN 00211.001 - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0200211001
***If you have a question, please contact your VCU NTC Regional TA Liaison:
Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont):
Laura Coffey at 502-479-5865 or lcoffey6@hotmail.com
Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands):
Laura Coffey at 502-479-5865 or lcoffey6@hotmail.com
Region 3 (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia):
Leigh Jones at 301-790-1276 or lmjones3@vcu.edu
Region 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee):
Becky Banks at 765-674-5886 or rrbanks@vcu.edu
Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin):
Leigh Jones at 301-790-1276 or lmjones3@vcu.edu
Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas):
Mary Ridgely at 608-455-1563 or mridgely@vcu.edu
Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska):
Molly Sullivan at 503-703-3650 or msullivan@griffinhammis.com
Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming):
Molly Sullivan at 503-703-3650 or msullivan@griffinhammis.com
Region 9 (American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands):
Mary Ridgely at 608-455-1563 or mridgely@vcu.edu
Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington):
Molly Sullivan at 503-703-3650 or msullivan@griffinhammis.com