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Social Security Online
Accessibility Policy
SSA logo: link to Social Security Online home

Web Page and Document Accessibility Policy

Updated: December 2006

Introduction

Social Security (SSA) is committed to making all of our Internet documents accessible to everyone. To ensure that we meet or exceed the requirements of the 1998 Amendment to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, we continually review our site and modify pages to remove accessibility problems for people with disabilities.

Many documents on our web pages are in ASCII or HTML format, accessible to people who use screen reading software and to those with other vision or mobility impairments. Generally, we use Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to create pages and documents that are accessible to that segment of our customer base. In creating HTML documents, we follow Section 508 standards; for example, we include alternate text to describe graphics.

Currently, our website also contains documents in Adobe Acrobat PDF (Portable Document Format) files; and right now, many people who use screen reading devices can`t read them. To solve that problem, Adobe Systems, Inc. is developing several products designed to make PDF documents more accessible to screen reading software. Adobe`s accessibility web pages at http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/index.html (new window) describe their efforts. While those products are in development, we will provide text or HTML versions of our PDF documents.

We also provide some Social Security publications in alternative formats for people who are blind or visually impaired.
 

 

If You Need More Information

If you use a screen reader, have vision problems, or navigate using only the keyboard or an assistive device, visit our alternative views and navigation tips pages for additional information.

Warning: If you select the link below, you will open a new copy of your Internet browser. You will automatically return to this page when you close the new browser window.

Alternative views and navigation tips
 

 

What to Do if You Have Trouble

If you have trouble accessing one of our web pages or documents please send an e-mail to the Social Security Online home page webmaster, webmaster@ssa.gov.

If your problem is a broken link, a link that goes to the wrong page, or other technical problems, please tell us where it is and what happened.

If you have questions about our accessibility policy, send an e-mail to our Section 508 coordinator, at section508@ssa.gov.
 

 

Links to Third Party Sites

Some Social Security Online pages contain links to third party sites not operated by SSA. Those sites are not within our control and may not follow the same privacy, security, or accessibility standards as ours. We are not responsible for the content or availability of those sites, their partners, or advertisers.
 

 

Further Resources

SSA does not endorse any software products. The accessibility software we know about is listed below for the convenience of our users. Product names are linked to the web pages of the companies that produce them so you can check for additional information. (Note: The web pages will open in new browser windows.)

 
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Last reviewed or modified Monday Jan 14, 2008
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