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UPDATE: THIS FILE LAST EDITED 9-2006

ALTERNATE

FORMATS

A PUBLICATION FROM THE...

SIGHT LOSS

INFORMATION

DETECTIVE

.....ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

SHOULD THE READER WANT TO SUGGEST ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS FOR THIS BULLETIN, PLEASE SEND YOUR IDEAS - GO TO BOTTOM LINK ON FRONT PAGE.

NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ENDORSEMENT OR RECOMMENDATION, AND IS PRESENTED SIMPLY AS A CONVENIENCE TO THE READER. BECAUSE OF THE CHANGING AVAILABILITY OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, THE COMPLETENESS OF THIS LISTING IS NOT GUARANTEED.

FEDERAL LAW INSURES EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS FOR DISABLED CONSUMERS, AS FOLLOWS:

1. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

2. SECTION 5O4 OF THE NATIONAL REHABILITATION ACT

SPECIFICALLY, CORPORATIONS, INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES CAN BE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE LARGE-PRINT, BRAILLE OR AUDIO-TAPE TO ACCOMMODATE A CUSTOMER WHO HAS A DISABILITY.

HOWEVER, SOMETIMES THE ORGANIZATION MAY GIVE A NEGATIVE RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FOR AN ALTERNATE FORMAT OF THEIR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS, SUCH AS:

1. FLAT REFUSAL

2. NOT AVAILABLE

3. TOO COSTLY

4. WOULD SET A PRECEDENT

5. NEITHER NECESSARY NOR PRACTICAL

6. CANNOT HANDLE SUCH A REQUEST

7. NOT DENYING REQUEST, BUT IT WILL HAVE TO BE DONE BY OTHERS (OUTSOURCED)

LIKEWISE, EVEN WHEN SOME ATTEMPT TO ACCOMMODATE A READING HANDICAP IS MADE, THE DOCUMENT PROVIDED MAY NOT BE USABLE BECAUSE OF POOR-QUALITY OR FORMAT-SWITCHING AS FOLLOWS:

A. MINIMUM-RESOLUTION PHOTOCOPY BLOW-UP

B. ONE-TIME, BY-PHONE READING

C. ONE-TIME, ON-SITE READING

D. E-MAIL ATTACHED FILE

E. REQUIRE CUSTOMER TO BRING THEIR TAPE RECORDER

F. MINIMUM-WAGE OR VOLUNTEER READER (POOR QUALITY DUE TO LACK OF TRAINING)

G. VOICE-MAIL MESSAGE

H. LARGE-PRINT SUBSTITUTED FOR BRAILLE

I. LARGE-PRINT SUBSTITUTED FOR AUDIO-TAPE

IN ORDER TO OFFICIALLY DISPUTE SUCH DIVERSIONS, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR A DISABLED CONSUMER TO DO THE FOLLOWING IF THEY ARE NOT PROVIDED THE ALTERNATE FORMAT THEY NEED:

1. SECURE A WRITTEN PHYSICIAN CERTIFICATION FOR THE PARTICULAR ACCOMMODATION BEING REQUESTED

2. SPEAK TO THE ADA CONTACT PERSON OR 5O4 CONTACT PERSON FOR THE ORGANIZATION

3. PRESENT IN WRITING THE LARGE-PRINT, BRAILLE OR AUDIO-TAPE REQUEST WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN REPORT ATTACHED

THEN, IF THE REQUESTED ACCOMMODATION IS NOT FORTHCOMING, HERE ARE SOME OF THE FEDERAL OFFICES TO TELEPHONE FOR HELP:

ADA COMPLAINTS

DISABILITY RIGHTS SECTION

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

1-800-514-0301

ADA COMPLAINTS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

1-800-949-4232

5O4 COMPLAINTS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

1-800-368-1019

NOTE: PART 84 OF SECTION 5O4 COVERS DISABLED MEDICARE CUSTOMERS

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