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Special Accommodation Information and Resources - Unemployment Insurance

The Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance (the Division) aims to help individuals with disabilities and those who need special assistance receive the accommodations they need to access the Division’s unemployment information. Included below is a list of services individuals with disabilities or those who need special accommodations may use to help them contact the Division, access reemployment services offered by Maryland’s American Job Centers, and more.

Services

  1. VRI, VRS, and Maryland Relay

    Individuals who have difficulty communicating on a standard telephone (including those who are Deaf, Deafblind, or have hearing loss, difficulty speaking, limited mobility, cognitive difficulty, etc.) may communicate with the Division via scheduled Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services, Video Relay Services (VRS), Maryland Relay (711), and other forms of effective communication.

    Maryland Relay is a free service which offers resources to allow individuals who have difficulty communicating on a standard telephone (such as those listed above) make and receive phone calls.

    Maryland Relay is administered by the Telecommunications Access of Maryland (TAM), a state agency which provides equipment and services to Maryland residents who have difficulty using a telephone. 

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

    Maryland Relay services include:

    • Alternative Relay services, including: Video Relay Service (VRS) for American Sign Language users, as well as IP Relay and IP Captioned Telephone Service for callers wishing to connect on their smartphone, computer, or other Internet-connected device (these services are not provided by Maryland Relay)
       
    • Braille TTY: for DeafBlind callers.
       
    • Captioned Telephone: which lets hard-of-hearing users read every word callers say, as they listen.
       
    • Customized Relay Options: including Customer Profiles which users can set up to expedite calls and store their calling preferences.
       
    • Hearing Carry-Over and Speech-to-Speech: for those who have difficulty speaking.
       
    • RCC (Remote Conference Captioning) | Maryland Relay: RCC: allows people who have difficulty hearing over the phone during conference calls to read text of what all participants are saying.​
       
    • RTT (Real-Time Text): Real-Time Text is transmitted instantly as it is typed — eliminating the need to hit “send” and allowing for faster, more accessible communication for all.​
       
    • Traditional Relay (TTY): for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened or have difficulty speaking.
       
    • Spanish Relay: for Spanish-speaking callers who have difficulty using a standard telephone. Select this link for a list of Maryland Relay options in Spanish.
       
    • Voice Carry-Over: for Relay users who prefer to use their own voice in phone conversations.
       
  2. Requesting an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter - The Division offers ASL interpretation. To schedule interpreting services, contact a claims agent at 667-207-6520 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). You may choose to use Maryland Relay (by calling 711) to contact the Division. See the Maryland Relay section above for more information.
     
  3. Maryland.gov Website Accessibility - Help for individuals who use assistive technology and have difficulty accessing information on www.maryland.gov.
     

Resources

  1. American Job Centers - Maryland’s American Job Centers 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). Individuals should inquire with the individual AJC about specific equipment availability. For more information, see the Resources for Job Seekers - Information for Individuals with Disabilities webpage. A list of Maryland’s AJC locations is available online.
     
  2. DeafBlind Services & Organizations - List of 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. Maryland Disabilities Resources - Important disability resources for Maryland residents, including health and human services resources, county and social services, health care services, and more.
     
  6. Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources - Resource list for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in Maryland.
     
  7. Resource Locator- Search for Maryland resources, including disability-related resources such as disability-related transportation, service animals, supported living services for adults with disabilities, and more.
     

The State of Maryland is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The State will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are given an opportunity to participate in and benefit from the State’s services, programs, benefits, and employment opportunities.