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Frost Illustrated: Social Security offers choices for blind, deaf
About 28 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing, and more than eight million are blind or visually impaired. Many of these individuals are older Americans and over the next 30 years, as the baby-boomer generation ages, the number of adults who are visually impaired or who are hard of hearing is expected to grow substantially.
That is why Social Security is at the forefront of government agencies working to make all information and services available to these individuals.
For the deaf and hard of hearing
Deaf and hard of hearing individuals are encouraged to visit Social Security's website at Social Security Online to file for benefits or to find information about a wide range of Social Security topics.
People who are deaf or hard of hearing also can call Social Security at its TTY number, 1- 800-325-0778. They can ask for information, or can immediately file for retirement, survivors and Medicare benefits without an appointment using a TTY/TDD machine. This service is available from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Callers applying for benefits should have certain documents in hand, such as their birth certificate, most recent W-2, military service and bank account information.
The paperwork completed by TTY/TDD during the initial contact will be mailed to the applicant for review and a signature. The applicant may return the printed claim by mail or in person to his or her local Social Security office. Along with the signed form, Social Security also needs certain documents, such as a person's birth certificate and proof of citizenship or residency to establish eligibility for Social Security benefits. An applicant can either mail or take these items to a local Social Security office.
For the blind and visually impaired
Blind or visually impaired individuals who have personal computers with screen readers can access information on our website, Social Security Online. Screen reading programs "read" text on the screen and convert the text to speech through a speech synthesizer or sound card. More detailed information about this capability is available at Social Security Online - Accessibility Policy.
Visually impaired visitors to our website quickly can change the text size on their computer to make the information easier to read. This is done through the "Web Eyes" plug-in, which is available free on the socialsecurity.gov homepage. Web Eyes can increase text size from 10 to 144 points, in two-point increments.
The Social Security website also lists publications for blind or visually impaired people. Materials are available in Braille, audio cassette tape, disk, or enlarged print form. Visitors can order a free copy of a publication in the format desired while online, or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772- 1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
About 28 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing, and more than eight million are blind or visually impaired. Many of these individuals are older Americans and over the next 30 years, as the baby-boomer generation ages, the number of adults who are visually impaired or who are hard of hearing is expected to grow substantially.
That is why Social Security is at the forefront of government agencies working to make all information and services available to these individuals.
For the deaf and hard of hearing
Deaf and hard of hearing individuals are encouraged to visit Social Security's website at Social Security Online to file for benefits or to find information about a wide range of Social Security topics.
People who are deaf or hard of hearing also can call Social Security at its TTY number, 1- 800-325-0778. They can ask for information, or can immediately file for retirement, survivors and Medicare benefits without an appointment using a TTY/TDD machine. This service is available from Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Callers applying for benefits should have certain documents in hand, such as their birth certificate, most recent W-2, military service and bank account information.
The paperwork completed by TTY/TDD during the initial contact will be mailed to the applicant for review and a signature. The applicant may return the printed claim by mail or in person to his or her local Social Security office. Along with the signed form, Social Security also needs certain documents, such as a person's birth certificate and proof of citizenship or residency to establish eligibility for Social Security benefits. An applicant can either mail or take these items to a local Social Security office.
For the blind and visually impaired
Blind or visually impaired individuals who have personal computers with screen readers can access information on our website, Social Security Online. Screen reading programs "read" text on the screen and convert the text to speech through a speech synthesizer or sound card. More detailed information about this capability is available at Social Security Online - Accessibility Policy.
Visually impaired visitors to our website quickly can change the text size on their computer to make the information easier to read. This is done through the "Web Eyes" plug-in, which is available free on the socialsecurity.gov homepage. Web Eyes can increase text size from 10 to 144 points, in two-point increments.
The Social Security website also lists publications for blind or visually impaired people. Materials are available in Braille, audio cassette tape, disk, or enlarged print form. Visitors can order a free copy of a publication in the format desired while online, or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772- 1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).