On December 3, 2010, DREDF Directing Attorney Arlene Mayerson met with SSA Commissioner Astrue to discuss concerns surrounding the civil rights of SSA beneficiaries and applicants with disabilities. Colleagues from the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, National Senior Citizens Law Center, Legal Services - New York City, and The Arc joined her.

At issue is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and rights to reasonable accommodations and program modifications for persons with disabilities to "meaningfully participate" in SSA programs.

DREDF has been addressing complaints about SSA's failure to comply with Section 504 through administrative complaints and litigation: http://dredf.org/cases/acb-ssa.shtml. Commissioner Astrue issued a Federal Register Notice on November 5, 2010 for a Section 504 "self-evaluation" that invited public comment. DREDF and our colleagues, along with 20 legal service organizations from around the country, submitted comments: http://www.dredf.org/SSA/comments-to-SSA-proposed-Self-Evaluation.pdf). The comment period closed on December 6, 2010. However, SSA will ask for input from the public and further comments about its policies and practices in a subsequent Federal Register notice.

DREDF (www.dredf.org) will provide updates as more information about participating in the self-evaluation process becomes available.