Communication under Title II

To ensure effective communications with individuals with disabilities, state and local governments must offer auxiliary aids when necessary.  Auxiliary aids include—

• Qualified interpreters,
• Assistive listening headsets,
• Television captioning and decoders,
• Telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TDD's),
• Videotext displays,
• Readers,
• Taped texts,
• Brailled materials and
• Large print materials.

A public entity may not charge an individual with a disability for use of an auxiliary aid. Telephone emergency services, including 911, must provide direct access to individuals with speech or hearing impairments. Public entities do not have to make any changes that will result in a fundamental alteration of the program or service or be an undue financial burden.