Disaster survivors can request reasonable modifications when applying for FEMA disaster assistance, such as:
- American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation and/or Video Remote Interpretation (VRI).
- Assistive listening and/or reading devices.
- Documents in large print of electronic formats.
- Physical accessibility components (such as wheelchairs, restrooms, clear paths of travel) for FEMA facilities, including Disaster Recovery Centers.
- Real-time captioning services.
Eligibility for Reasonable Modifications
Qualified individuals with a disability (that substantially limits one or more major life activities) can request a reasonable modification.
What does “substantially limits” mean?
“Substantially limits” refers to a condition or impairment that impacts an individual in a meaningful way. It is a term that is used broadly.
What does “major life activities” mean?
Major life activities are the kind of activities that you do every day, including your body’s own internal processes. It is a term that is used broadly.
Examples of Disabilities
There are a wide variety of disabilities. Some disabilities are visible, and some are not. Examples of disabilities include:
- Autism.
- Blindness or low vision.
- Cancer.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Deafness or hearing loss.
- Diabetes.
- Epilepsy.
- HIV.
- Intellectual disabilities.
- Major depressive disorder.
- Mobility disabilities such as those requiring the use of a wheelchair, walker, or cane.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Traumatic brain injury.
Requesting Reasonable Modifications
Reasonable modifications are available to eligible disaster survivors with disabilities. Disaster survivors can request reasonable modification during the disaster assistance application process.
- Start your application for FEMA disaster assistance by calling FEMA’s Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visiting https://www.disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA mobile app on your mobile device, or visiting a local Disaster Recovery Center.
- During the application process, you can report a disability that requires additional support to interact with FEMA staff or access FEMA programs.
- If you or anyone in your household needs a reasonable modification or needs to interact with FEMA about disability-related losses, answer “yes” to the appropriate questions when completing the application for FEMA disaster assistance.
- If you need assistance with a reasonable modification to an emergency shelter during a disaster or emergency, visit: Emergency Shelter | disasterassistance.gov.
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File a Complaint
If you believe that you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you may file a civil rights complaint by calling the FEMA OCR Civil Rights Resource Line at (833) 285-7448; or email FEMA-OCR-ECRD@fema.dhs.gov.
When a person with a disability believes they were subjected to discrimination, including a wrongful denial of a request for a reasonable modification, they may file a complaint with FEMA Office of Civil Rights.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, call FEMA’s Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.