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DisabilityInfo.gov is the gateway to the
federal government's disability-related information and resources, including
employment,
education,
housing,
transportation,
health,
income support,
technology,
independent living, and
civil rights.
Relay
Services
Telecommunications
relay services link telephone conversations between individuals who use
standard, voice telephones and those who use TTYs. Relay services allow hearing
and speaking individuals to call TTY numbers, and allow those with hearing or
speech impairments to call voice telephone numbers. Calls can be made from
either type of telephone to the other type through the relay
service.
Local Relay
Services
States provide relay
services for local and long-distance calls. Please consult the local telephone
directory for information on the use, fees (if any), services, and dialing
instructions for that area.
Federal Relay
Service (FRS)
The FRS, a program of
the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), provides access to TTY users
who wish to conduct official business nationwide with and within the Federal
Government. The toll-free number is 1-800-877-8339.
For more information on
relay communications or to obtain a brochure on using the FRS, please call toll
free to 1-800-877-0996.
Recording for
the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D)
Recording for the Blind
& Dyslexic, celebrating more than fifty years since its founding, is the
only national nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that provides recorded
and computerized textbooks at all academic levels to people who cannot read
standard print effectively because of a visual impairment, learning disability
or other physical disability. RFB&D operates 33 recording studios and
offices across the country. Their 80,000 volume library contains a broad
selection of titles, from literature and history to math and the sciences, at
all academic levels, from kindergarten through postgraduate and professional.
RFB&D offers individual and institutional memberships, scholarship programs
and a custom recording service. The cost of an individual membership is $25 per
year, plus a one time $50 registration fee. Fees for institutional membership
range from $300 to $800 annually depending on the level of membership and the
number of books chosen. RFB&D also offers for nonprofit sale computer and
professional books on disk, and specially-adapted tape players and accessories.
For more information or to request an application, call, write or visit the
website:
Recording for the Blind
& Dyslexic
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
Toll free:
1-800-221-4792
Website: www.rfbd.org
National
Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of
Congress
The National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress,
provides the free loan of recorded and braille books and magazines, music
scores in braille and large print, and specially designed playback equipment to
residents of the United States who are unable to read or use standard print
materials because of visual or physical impairment. NLS administers the program
nationally while direct service to eligible individuals and institutions is the
responsibility of cooperating libraries in the various states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. Service is also extended to
eligible American citizens residing abroad. Information about the NLS/BPH free
library service, including application forms and addresses of cooperating
libraries may be obtained by contacting:
National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
Library of
Congress
Washington, DC 20542
202-707-5100, Fax: 202-707-0712
Toll
free: 1-800-424-8567
e-mail: nls@loc.gov
Website:
lcweb.loc.gov/nls
For faster service,
telephone, fax, or e-mail your request for application forms or other
information.
Operator
Services
Consumers who are deaf
or hard of hearing, or who have a speech impairment, and use a text telephone
(TTY) may receive operator and directory assistance for calls by calling toll
free to 1-800-855-1155. Check the introductory pages of local telephone
directories for additional TTY services. For a copy of the U.S. Government TTY
Directory, please visit www.fts.gsa.gov/frs/
or write to Federal Citizen Information Center, Department TTY, Pueblo, CO
81009.
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