Auxiliary aids are ways to provide effective communication for people with disabilities. Disaster survivors may request auxiliary aids and services when applying for disaster assistance.
Auxiliary Aids and Services include:
- Accessibility features in electronic documents and other electronic and information technology that is accessible (either independently or through assistive technology, such as screen readers, speech-to-text programs, and text-to-speech programs).
- Assistive listening systems and devices.
- Computer Aided Real-time Translation (CART).
- Documents in large print or electronic formats.
- Laptop magnification software, screen reader software, and optical readers.
- Microsoft Teams captioning.
- Qualified readers.
- Sign language interpreters (on-site or video remote).
- Videophones.
How to Request Auxiliary Aids and Services
Disaster survivors may request auxiliary aids and services when applying for disaster assistance. Disaster survivors may also request reasonable modifications.
- Start your application for FEMA disaster assistance by calling FEMA’s Helpline at 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 auxiliary aids and services, answer “yes” to the appropriate questions when completing the application for FEMA disaster assistance.
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 auxiliary aids and services, 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.