[blindlaw] Format Question

Ray Wayne RWayne1 at nyc.rr.com
Tue Dec 9 01:57:58 UTC 2008


I would agree with John, but for one factor--some of these notices are
time-sensitive.  For instance, as I recall, if they terminate your benefits,
you have 60 days to request reconsideration.  However, in order to receive
"Aid Pending," you must make the request within ten days.  Otherwise your
benefits will be stopped until the matter is resolved, which could take
months or years.  Many blind people on fixed incomes probably do not have
scanners or KNFB Reader Mobiles, and thus may not learn the contents of
their print mail on a daily basis.  And we all know how unreliable telephone
messages can be.
Ray Wayne

----- Original Message -----
From: "McCarthy, Jim" <JMcCarthy at nfb.org>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 9:26 AM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Format Question


> When doing some other review of the Social Security Act, I noticed that
> there are provisions requiring special treatment of notices blind
> recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental
> Security Income receive from the agency.  The provisions seem to permit
> the poor notice the agency provides.  Right now the agency will not
> provide Braille notices, but they can read notices by phone, notify a
> recipient by sending the notice as a certified letter or something else.
> All of these have substantial challenges if we assume the goal is to
> actually provide notice.  I am sure though that the agency will probably
> say it is following statutory authority.  It will be interesting to see
> how the court thinks that stacks up to any Section 504 requirements on
> the point.  My personal feeling is that if the SSA does not have to send
> accessible format information, no government entity will have to do so
> and I also think that would make a pretty strong argument that private
> entities such as banks or credit card issuers do not either.  I think,
> therefore, that this is a pretty important case.
> Jim McCarthy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf Of b75205 at gmail.com
> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 6:07 AM
> To: ckrugman at sbcglobal.net; blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Format Question
>
> Actually the case is in court right now, it is the American Council for
> the Blind versus the Social Security Adminstration. Charles I suggested
> my format for the SSA forms but the lawyers did not want to get into
> that and they are going for daisy and audio format and other types of
> technologies.
> I think it is the Oregon Disability Rights group but it is being fought
> out in California.
>
> James Pepper
>
>
> On Dec 8, 2008 1:40am, ckrugman at sbcglobal.net wrote:
> > Its interesting because I recall many years ago that SSA used to say
> > that
> materials were available in Braille and people could receive
> communications from them in Braille. This was back in the 60's when I
> was growing up. I'm not sure what the extent of this was or if or when
> it was discontinued.
> >
> >
> > Chuck
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kathleen Hagen" khagen12 at q.com>
> >
> >
> > To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> >
> >
> > Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 1:24 PM
> >
> >
> > Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Format Question
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > John, There is a certified class for blind social security recipients
> > in
> which they are suing the SSA for accessible documents. That does not
> mean that SSA is providing alternative formats for consumer's materials
> yet. And they probably won't for some time while they spend the
> taxpayers' money figuring out how to avoid it. They do hire blind people
> and they provide general materials in braille at least. But your friend
> shouldn't expect to see her consumer-related material in alternative
> format any time soon.
> >
> >
> > Kathy Hagen
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "John " joramsey at cox.net>
> >
> >
> > To: "'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'" blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> >
> >
> > Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 11:09 AM
> >
> >
> > Subject: [blindlaw] Format Question
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hello All,
> >
> >
> > i am on another NFB list and an individual seems to be under the
> impression
> >
> >
> > that the Social Security Administration is violating her rights
> because
> she
> >
> >
> > received the cost of living increase letter in the same format that
> everyone
> >
> >
> > else receives the notice. Apparently this is just a standard letter in
> a
> >
> >
> > standard envelope. I am personally not aware of any law that requires
> an
> >
> >
> > entity to send "accessible" letters to everyone that might have a
> visual
> >
> >
> > disability. If this is the law, can someone point me to the section of
> the
> >
> >
> > CFR that contains such a requirement?
> >
> >
> > Cordially,
> >
> >
> > John
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > John A. Ramsey Jr., Esq.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Gainesville, FL 32609
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Phone: (352) 505-6642
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >
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