Start Assistance — Accessibility & Technical Assistance

Start Assistance: free disability accommodation assistance

No is not an answer. Get disability & technical help for forms and barriers — administrative aid only, not legal advice. See our Accessibility Disclaimer.

Start Assistance is free disability accommodation assistance from Amplify Accessibility, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A short 1-2-3 path helps you request a reasonable accommodation, prepare Section 504 reasonable accommodation request letter (housing template, not an official government form), FW-001, SSA-561, and DOR paperwork, and download plain-language self-advocacy letters, with non-attorney help rather than legal advice.

What our free accommodation assistance covers

• Section 504 reasonable accommodation request letters (housing template, not an official government form; free Tier-1)
• California court fee waiver help (FW-001)
• SSA reconsideration intake (SSA-561)
• California civil rights housing intake (CRD-HOUS)
• CA DOR vocational rehab intake (DOR-INTAKE) and DOR appeal / mediation self-help (DOR-APPEAL)
• Fast disability accommodation request letters (ADA-ACCOM)
• Agency mediation request (MEDIATION-REQ) and disabled entrepreneur business-start checklist (BIZ-START)
• Workplace accessibility templates and Miracle Spritz SDS / green-tech product guidance
• EMILY Disability AI demo booking (Meet EMILY — Talk mode in the blue button)

Why Amplify (vs generic chatbots): we keep doing our best, getting things done

• Fast & light — 1-2-3 questionnaire → templates; large type; mobile-friendly
• Made for blind and disabled users — screen-reader labels, big touch targets
• Free Tier-1 survival forms — housing RA and fee-waiver style help first
• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) — Amplify Accessibility Green Tech Coalition (EIN 99-3298727)

How to request a Section 504 reasonable accommodation

1. Write to the school, program, housing provider, or employer that receives federal funding, and ask for its Section 504 coordinator.
2. Say that you have a disability, describe the barrier, and name the specific accommodation you are requesting.
3. Date the letter, keep a copy, and ask for a written response.
4. Use our free templates or Ask EMILY to draft it, sign it on screen, and download it.

Section 504 reasonable accommodation request letter (housing template, not an official government form)

Based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which lets people ask for reasonable accommodations in federally funded housing.

Choose Section 504 / Housing reasonable accommodation on the templates page to preview and download a plain-language request letter for your landlord or housing provider.

California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) appeal help

If you disagree with a DOR decision, you can ask for an informal administrative review, mediation, or a fair hearing, and the Client Assistance Program (CAP) can advise you at no cost. Our DOR-APPEAL template helps you organize the facts and write a clear request.

Court fee waiver FW-001 help in California

Form FW-001 asks a California court to waive filing fees if you receive certain public benefits or have a low income. Pick FW-001 in Start Assistance and EMILY helps you organize your information before you file the official form with the court.