Accommodation Information and Resources - Unemployment Insurance

Included below is a list of services individuals with disabilities or those who need accommodations may use to contact the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (Division), access reemployment services, and more.

Services

1. VRI, VRS, and Maryland Relay

   Individuals who have difficulty communicating on a standard telephone (including those who are Deaf, Deafblind, have hearing loss, difficulty speaking, limited mobility, cognitive difficulty, etc.) may communicate with the Division via scheduled Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services, Video Relay Service (VRS), Maryland Relay, and other forms of effective communication.

   Maryland Relay offers free resources to allow individuals who have difficulty communicating on a standard telephone make and receive phone calls.

   Call 7-1-1 to reach Maryland Relay. For more, see Maryland Relay FAQs. 

   Maryland Relay services include, but are not limited to:

   • Braille TTY: Allows the user to type their side of a telephone conversation and includes a Braille display for reading the other person’s responses.
      
   • Captioned Telephone: Displays text of the caller/recipient’s words, allowing the other person to read what the individual is saying during a phone conversation.
      
   • Customized Relay Options: Create a customer profile to save your Relay preferences, including language, frequently-used services, etc..
      
   • Remote Conference Captioning (RCC): Allows users to read text of what participants say during conference calls, webinars, etc.
      
   • Real-Time Text (RTT): Allows text messages to be sent as soon as they are created (without hitting send).
      
   • Spanish Relay: For Spanish-speaking callers who have difficulty using a standard telephone. View a list of Maryland Relay options in Spanish.
      
   NOTE: Additional services are offered through third-party providers, including IP Relay and IP Captioned Telephone Service (for callers wishing to connect on their smartphone, computer, or other Internet-connected device).
    
2. American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreters - The Division offers ASL interpretation. To schedule interpreting services, call 667-207-6520 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). You may use Maryland Relay to contact the Division.
    
3. Website Accessibility - Help for individuals who use assistive technology and have difficulty accessing information on www.maryland.gov.
    

Maryland Resources

1. American Job Centers - Maryland’s AJCs offer several accommodations for individuals with disabilities, such as materials in alternate formats and accessible equipment (advance notice may be required to use these resources). For more, see the Resources for Job Seekers - Information for Individuals with Disabilities webpage.
    
2. DeafBlind Services & Organizations - Services and organizations that assist individuals who are blind or DeafBlind in Maryland.
    
3. Learning Disability Resources- Resources on topics including the Americans with Disabilities Act, employment resources for those with disabilities, and information for adults with learning disabilities.
    
4. Maryland Department of Disabilities - Maryland agency which focuses on coordinating and improving the delivery of services to individuals with disabilities.
    
5. Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources - Resource list for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
    
6. Resource Locator- Search for Maryland resources, including disability-related transportation, service animals, supported living services for adults with disabilities, and more.