News & Information

CCH® UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE — 7/11/14

SSA announces proposed new system of records (RAMP system)

The SSA is issuing public notice of its intent to establish a new system of records entitled, Requests for Accommodation from Members of the Public (60-0378), hereinafter referred to as the RAMP system. The agency is establishing the RAMP system to cover information it receives from members of the public with disabilities who request accommodations in order to gain meaningful access to SSA programs. Comments are due by July 17, 2014.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) provides that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability will, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance or under any program or activity conducted by any executive agency. Section 504 protects “qualified individuals with disabilities,” as defined in 45 CFR part 85, as “persons with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” Agencies are required to take appropriate steps to ensure that qualified individuals with a disability are not denied access to the programs and activities the agency conducts because of their disabilities.

To ensure compliance with Section 504, an agency may need to provide auxiliary aids or services or modifications to the way it conducts its programs. The SSA will provide accommodations based on five broad categories of impairments: Blind or visual; cognitive or learning; deaf or hard of hearing; mobility or physical; and psychological or emotional. However, individuals who have other types of disabilities may also request an accommodation. The agency will use the information it collects to provide accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, to provide management information to the agency, and for research and statistical purposes.

For further information, contact Andrea Huseth, Government Information Specialist, Disclosure and Data Support Division, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel, SSA, Room 617, Altmeyer Bldg., 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland 21235-6401, telephone: (410) 965-6868, email: andrea.huseth@ssa.gov (79 Fed. Reg. 34558, June 17, 2014).