Medley of Photos depicting diverse populations; young African American males, a group of workers with disabilities, Asian female, senior white male working with younger white male, and a group of women working together.

It is the goal of the National Security Agency to provide a work environment that allows all employees, including those with disabilities, to have long and productive careers. NSA is committed to employee accessibility when developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology. Through assistive technology, NSA ensures individuals with disabilities have equivalent access to Electronic and Information Technology. The Disability Affairs Office provides resources and information to build an accessible workplace within NSA.

The Disability Affairs Office understands the importance of applying customer driven services. Through effective communication and education, we can translate individual and group requirements into technical alternatives and solutions to minimize barriers faced by employees with disabilities. Whether we are serving an employee with carpal tunnel syndrome, or assisting a blind employee, we are committed to making a reasonable accommodation for those with special needs.

The Disability Affairs Office supports NSA employees with disabilities such as, but not limited to:

  • Arthritis
  • Blindness and low vision
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Chronic pain
  • Deafness and hearing loss
  • Environmental illnesses
  • Fibromyalgia syndrome
  • Lupus
  • Migraine headaches
  • Full or partial paralysis
  • Missing extremities
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Psychiatric disorders

The Disability Affairs Office:

  • Provides functional and technical expertise on assistive technology and its application within NSA's environment.
  • Assists and advises NSA employees with disabilities in their search for appropriate technical alternatives.
  • Provides hands-on demonstrations of assistive technology to individuals and tests various options prior to implementation.
  • Provides a reference library of available alternative technical solutions for meeting computer, telecommunications, and other electronic accessibility requirements.
  • Interfaces with managers, employees, and vendors to develop customized solutions to meet individual requirements.

The following are examples of assistive technologies that are available through the Disability Affairs Office:

Mice, Trackballs, Pointing Devices
   Mouse-TRAK Trackball
   Contour Perfit Mouse

Alternative Human Computer Interface
   Voice/Speech Recognition System
   Eye-tracking Systems

Keyboards
   Comfort Keyboard Systems
   InfoGrip Keyboard

Products for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
   TTY/TDD
   TTY Software
   TTY Modem
   Assisted Listening Devices
   Closed Captioning Devices

Products for Blind and Low-Vision
   Text/Image Magnifiers
   Power Braille 80
   Screen Reader Software
   Talking speech-to-text technology

Ergonomic WorkStation Items
   Chairs
   Glare Screens
   Keyboards/Accessories

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The National Security Agency strives to offer an environment in which all can reach their highest potential and make a difference for our country. Sometimes it may be necessary or advisable for NSA to make a reasonable accommodation in either the duties of the job, or where and how the job tasks are performed. Such forms of accommodation should make it easier to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Examples of workplace reasonable accommodation are:

  • Providing interpreters, readers, or other personal assistance
  • Modifying job duties
  • Restructuring job duties
  • Providing flexible work schedules or work sites
  • Obtaining accessible technology or other workplace adaptive equipment