The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that benefits recipients who are blind or otherwise unable to read print can now take advantage of SSA-8095-F12, the Form to Request an Accessible Version of the Form to Request Accessible Forms.
“This solves a long-standing issue faced by many beneficiaries,” said Stephanie Werth, an SSA spokesperson, “namely, that the form to request accessible forms is inaccessible.”
“That was an oversight,” said Werth, speaking to the press. “Now, once this new form is submitted, we will send a letter to the beneficiary in the mail with a URL they can visit to retrieve the accessible version of the form. For extra convenience, we can also fax the letter.”
“After that form is complete, we mail the beneficiary a CD which they can use to install our accessible forms portal on a computer,” explained Werth. “The portal runs on any operating system Windows 8 or earlier,” she said with a faltering smile. Beneficiaries fill out accessible forms through the portal, and print them for mailing to the SSA.
However, advocacy groups say that the new form to request an accessible version of the form to request accessible forms is not accessible.
“Yes, we are aware of this issue,” conceded Werth, looking disappointed. “As a temporary fix though, beneficiaries can call us, and we will fill out the new form for them. We will then mail them the filled-out form so they can submit it to us via mail.”
Werth’s voice became hollow as she said, “We are currently working on a form to request an accessible version of the form to request an accessible version of the form to request accessible forms.”
Asked if that form would be accessible, Werth stared into the distance.
“I don’t know,” she whispered with a haunted desperation. She began trembling. “The forms,” she said, “Always more. Little formy forms.” She began laughing unsettlingly. “Mail, MAIL the forms!”
Her laughter reached a fever pitch as she shrieked, “FAX THEM! FAX THE FORMS FOR CONVENIENCE!”
Werth fell unconscious and was unavailable for further comment.