IRS Offers Assistance for People with Disabilitiesmessy desk with tax forms
 
For people with disabilities, federal income tax forms and publications are a click away. The IRS 
is committed to providing web-accessible tax information for all taxpayers. The IRS' website has embraced accessibility in the following ways:
  • Text Descriptions Provided for Images and Pictures - When the mouse pointer or pointer alternative moves over an image, a small window pops up to give you a description of the image. This description is also provided to visitors who are using screen readers to access information on the page.
     
  • Style Sheets Used to Format Page Content on this site are designed using cascading style sheets. This allows visitors to disable the formatting provided and apply their own formatting if they choose. Style sheets are disabled within an Internet browser's settings or preferences options.
     
  • The latest version of several web browsers allow users to easily increase the font size for better readability. Hold down the Ctrl key (Command key on a Macintosh) and press the + (plus) key. You can also decrease the font size by holding down the Ctrl or Command key and pressing the - (minus) key.
     
  • Persons using screen-reading devices, who generally cannot directly read documents in PDF format, will find a HTML version of many of the tax instructions and publications on the IRS site. IRS also makes sure that new PDF Forms are accessible.
     
  • Direct Links to Main Sections of Each Page are provided for those using Screen Readers - Screen readers tend to read pages from left to right and from top to bottom. The pages in IRS.gov provide internal bookmarks so that screen reader users can jump directly to specific sections of the page. This feature is referred to as a navigation menu bypass.
 
The IRS also hosts a full line of tax products and services, including federal tax forms and publications for people who use special assistive technology, including screen reading software, refreshable Braille displays, and voice recognition software. They've prepared hundreds of the most popular tax forms and publications, using full text descriptions where needed, and made them available for download: 
 
 
Special assistance is available for people with all types of disabilities. If you are unable to complete your return because of a physical disability, you can obtain assistance from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This program offers free tax help to people who generally make $52,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their won tax returns. IRS-certifed volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Click here for information about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
 
 
The IRS also offers videos in American Sign Language.  Click here for a listing of videos.
 
Telephone assistance for the hearing impaired is available via all types of relay services whether they are from federal, state and/or private relay providers.You can use relay through Videophone, AIM, a computer, captioned telephone or TTY.  For relay users, the voice number i 800-829-1040.  The toll-free TTY number is (800) 829-4059 and is available 24 hours a day.
 
Braille materials for the visually impaired are available at any of the 142 regional libraries in conjunction with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. To locate the nearest library in your area, write to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress at 1291 Taylor St., Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20542.