MSNBC, Slashdot and other news outlets are reporting that FEMA forces you to use Internet Explorer 6.0 if you want to file for aid via the Internet. That leaves any Apple and Linux computer user unable to use the same online functionality, although they can register through the phone to receive assistance.

Even if IE is the market leader when it comes to browsers, why is a government agency building a web application that limits its use only to some users? Specially one that is supposed to provide aid to those that are in distress. I would be curious to know what technology decisions require that users use IE. FEMA has responded to the arguments made and in their own website they recognize they are making changes to allow other browsers to access the application.

Currently to complete your application online you must be using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 6.0 or above. We are in the process of modifying the application so that it will be available to additional browsers.

This is the message that I received when I entered the site using Safari on OS X.