[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46350-46351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19510]
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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
[Docket No. SSA-2011-0035]
Agency Self-Evaluation Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973; Public Forums on Accessibility for Individuals With
Disabilities
AGENCY: Social Security Administration .
ACTION: Notice of Public Forums.
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SUMMARY: On November 5, 2010, we announced that we were initiating a
self-evaluation of our policies and practices supporting Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 requires Federal agencies
to provide meaningful access to their programs, activities, and
facilities for qualified persons with disabilities.
DATES: The forum dates are (1) August 17, 2011, 09:30 a.m. to 04 p.m.,
and (2) September 20, 2011, 09:30 a.m. to 04 p.m., E.D.T. On August 17,
2011, we are accepting comments related to our policies and facilities.
On September 20, 2011, we are accepting comments related to our
information technology (IT) and communications.
In addition, we will record and stream each public forum live on
the Internet. Accordingly, each person who attends the public forum is
deeming his or her consent to being recorded and understands that the
recording will be streamed live on the internet during the event and
available thereafter for public
[[Page 46351]]
viewing. You may view the webcast of each forum on our Web site at
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/accessibility/section504.
ADDRESSES: The location for the forums is Social Security
Administration, One Skyline Tower, 5107 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
22041.
Comments: We have scheduled public forums on August 17, 2011 and
September 20, 2011 as part of our Section 504 Self-Evaluation. The
purpose of the public forums is to help us evaluate the current level
of accessibility of our programs, activities, and facilities and to
gather comments for ways that we might improve accessibility. We will
focus on a number of topics at each public forum as part of this self-
evaluation, and interested persons will have an opportunity to express
their views. We are particularly interested in comments from persons
with disabilities, their family members, and those who work with, or
advocate for, persons with disabilities. Space is limited; therefore,
we encourage all organizations and individuals who wish to attend the
public forums or provide comments via telephone to register in advance
using our online registration form at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/accessibility/section504 or by calling the Section 504 Information Line
at 1-877-794-7395 (Voice) or 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) at least ten business
days before the public forum date.
While the public is invited, only those who register in advance and
receive schedule confirmation will be permitted to provide input.
Organizations should designate no more than one person to comment on
their behalf. Organizations or individuals may comment in person, by
telephone, or by telephone relay service. Prior to the forum, we will
try to tell each interested individual the approximate time when he or
she can comment during the public forum. Those who register to comment
by telephone or telephone relay service should be available at the
telephone or TTY number they provide during registration at least one-
half hour before their scheduled time to comment.
We will limit comments to five minutes per person or organization.
Commenters may supplement their comments with written statements that
will become part of the official public forum record. If we determine
that there is not enough time to hear from all those wishing to present
comments, we will select among those wishing to testify to ensure
representation of a range of viewpoints and interests.
Registration: We encourage all organizations and individuals who
wish to attend the public forums or provide comments via telephone to
register in advance using our online registration form at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/accessibility/section504 or by calling the
Section 504 Information Line at 1-877-794-7395 (voice) or 1-800-325-
0778 (TTY) at least ten business days before the public forum date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mariangela Rosa, Social Security
Administration, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235-6401, 1-
877-794-7395. For information on eligibility or filing for benefits,
call our national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-
0778, or visit our Internet site, Social Security Online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The forum Web site will be accessible to
individuals with disabilities, in accordance with Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act. At the forums, we will provide sign language
interpreters and real-time captioning. Individuals who require other
accommodations or auxiliary aids should contact Mariangela Rosa at 1-
877-794-7395 or by e-mail at [email protected] no later than ten days
before the date of the forum that they wish to attend.
Additional information, including information about accessible
public transportation and parking, is available on the Social Security
Administration Web site at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/accessibility/section504. The current Section 504 regulation is available
electronically in accessible formats at http://www.regulations.gov.
This public forum notice is available electronically in Section 508-
accessible formats at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/accessibility/section504. Copies of this notice also are available in formats
accessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision by calling
the Section 504 Information Line at 1-877-794-7395 (Voice) or 1-800-
325-0778 (TTY).
Written Comments: Those persons who are not available to
participate in real-time in the public forums are encouraged to submit
written comments by Internet, fax, or mail. Do not submit the same
comments multiple times or by more than one method. In your submission,
please state that your comments refer to Docket No. SSA-2011-0035 so
that we may associate your comments with the correct document.
Deadline for Comments: We must receive written comments by October
31, 2011. Will we respond to your comments? We will carefully consider
your comments; however we will not respond directly to comments sent in
response to this notice or the forum. In addition, we are not able to
process or respond to any information or questions about your claim for
benefits that you submit in the public forum or comments process.
Caution: You should be careful to include in your comments only
information that you wish to make publicly available. We strongly urge
you not to include any personal information, such as Social Security
numbers or medical information, or anything you do not wish for us to
make public. We will accept anonymous written comments. We will not
respond to your comments, but we will consider them as we work through
our Section 504 self-evaluation. Please do not send any information or
questions about your claim for benefits.
(1) Internet: We strongly recommend that you submit your written
comments by the Internet. Please visit the Federal eRulemaking portal
at http://www.regulations.gov. Use the Search function to find Docket
No. SSA-2011-0035. The system will issue a tracking number to confirm
your submission. You will not be able to view your comment immediately
because we must review and post each comment manually. It may take up
to a week for your comment to appear online.
(2) Fax: Fax your comments to (410) 966-2830.
(3) Mail: Mail your comments to the Office of Regulations, Social
Security Administration, 107 Altmeyer Building, 6401 Security
Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401. Comments that we receive
will be available for public viewing on the Federal eRulemaking portal
at http://www.regulations.gov.
Dated: July 27, 2011.
Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social ecurity.
[FR Doc. 2011-19510 Filed 8-1-11; 8:45 am]
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