[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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