Title Slide
Ticket to Work: Finding a Job with a Federal Contractor
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
3-4:30 PM Eastern

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Questions and Answers (Q&A)
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Technical Assistance
If you experience any technical difficulties during the webinar, please use the chat box to send a message to the host Nakia Matthews, or you may also email nmatthews@ndi-inc.org.

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Agenda
Welcome and Introductions
Jayme Pendergraft, NDI Consulting
What is Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act?
Pamela Walker, Alliance Professional Services
Self-Identification and Reasonable Accommodation Notification
Pamela Walker
What do the Changes to Section 503 Mean to People Who Receive Social Security Benefits?
Pamela Walker
How to Demonstrate Your Skills and Abilities at a Virtual Job Fair
Sheridan Walker, SMG
Upcoming Events and Other Resources 
Jayme Pendergraft
Questions and Answers
Presentation Team

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What is Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act?

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What is the Rehabilitation Act of 1973?

For more than 40 years, the Rehabilitation Act has
⁃	Advanced employment opportunities
⁃	Offered extensive services, and 
⁃	Promoted accessibility for people with disabilities around the country.
The law works to provide a fair chance for all to live the American dream, and to break down barriers to equality.  

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What is Section 503?
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that federal contractors and subcontractors– companies that do business with the federal government – take affirmative action steps to actively to recruit, hire, employ, promote, and retain qualified individuals with disabilities. 

On March 24, 2014, provisions of the act which help contractors recruit and hire qualified people with disabilities were strengthened.

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What is a Federal Contractor?
A person or company that contracts with the federal government to provide services, supplies, or other work.

Examples of federal contractors include
⁃	Coca Cola
⁃	Raytheon
⁃	Apple
⁃	Home Depot
⁃	and many others!

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What Are Some of the Updates to Section 503?
The updates to Section 503 include: 
In the coming years, federal contractors must strive to ensure at least 7% of their job groups, or workforce depending on the size of the employer, are employees with disabilities.
Federal contractors must invite job applicants, and new and current employees, to voluntarily self-identify as having a disability.
  
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Self-Identification and Reasonable Accommodation Notification

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What is Self-Identification?
Self-identification means that you will be asked to voluntarily identify as an individual with a disability to your employer or potential employer.
Federal contractors will provide a special self-identification form to applicants and employees.
You will have the opportunity to self-identify before a job offer is made or after the job offer is made. 
The form is available online at http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/section503.htm

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Why am I Being Asked to Complete this Form?

To help measure how well federal contractors are doing, applicants and employees will be asked to complete the form, which asks if you have or have ever had a disability. 
Completing this form is voluntary, meaning that whether or not you do is your choice.

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Why am I Being Asked to Complete this Form?

Whether you are applying for a job or already work for a contractor, any answer you give will be kept private and will not be used against you in any way. 
You may voluntarily self-identify as having a disability on this form without fear of any punishment because you did not identify as having a disability earlier. 
No one from the hiring side of the company will see this form. It is only used by the human resources department.

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How Do I Know if I have a Disability?
You are considered to have a disability if you 
⁃	Have a physical or mental or  medical condition that substantially limits a major life activity, or 
⁃	Have a history or record of such an impairment or medical condition.

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What is a Reasonable Accommodation? 

The Self-Identification Form also includes a Reasonable Accommodation Notice.  

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What is a Reasonable Accommodation?

In terms of employment, a reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job, or the work environment, that enables a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions.  
Federal law requires employers to provide a reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities unless it causes undue hardship.

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What is a Reasonable Accommodation?

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job, ask to speak to the employer’s Affirmative Action Compliance Officer. Examples of reasonable accommodations include: 
⁃	Making a change to the application process or work procedures,
⁃	Providing documents in an alternate format,
⁃	Using a sign language interpreter, or
⁃	Using specialized equipment.

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What Does Section 503 Mean to People Who Receive Social Security Benefits?

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Social Security Disability Benefit Programs
Social Security Disability Insurance

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Social Security Disability Benefit Programs
Supplemental Security Income

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Social Security Disability Benefit Programs
Social Security Disability Insurance
Supplemental Security Income

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What Do The Changes to Section 503 Mean for You?
Section 503 makes job opportunities available to qualified people with disabilities, including those who receive Social Security disability benefits.
The Ticket to Work program can help connect you with jobs, many of which are with businesses that do work with the government.
 
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What is the Ticket to Work Program?
Ticket to Work
⁃	Is a free and voluntary Social Security program;
⁃	Offers career development for people age 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits.

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Businesses That Work with the Federal Government Want to Hire Qualified People with Disabilities
Businesses that do work with the federal government 
⁃	Are hiring for jobs with a variety of experience and education levels. 
⁃	May offer flexible options for how and where employees work.
⁃	Are beginning to view jobseekers with disabilities as an untapped pool of qualified talent.
 
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How to Demonstrate Your Skills and Abilities at a Virtual Job Fair

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How to Demonstrate Your Skills and Abilities at a Virtual Job Fair

Virtual job fairs are a great opportunity for you to
⁃	Meet potential employers;
⁃	Practice your interview skills; and
⁃	Find a job!

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What is a Virtual Job Fair?

A virtual job fair is on online event that takes place at a certain time and is not ongoing.
Employers  and job seekers “meet” in a virtual environment, using chat rooms, using teleconferencing, webcasts, webinars and/or email to exchange information about job openings. 
Job seekers upload résumés and may be matched with employers or may simply browse companies’ virtual booths.
Companies that do business with the Federal government often use virtual job fairs to find qualified candidates.

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Tip #1: Do Your Homework
Before you participate in a virtual job fair, be sure to 
⁃	Research the companies that are participating; 
⁃	Look into the types of jobs that are being offered; and
⁃	Check your internet connection, your computer’s battery power, and make sure your computer has the appropriate features needed to access the virtual job fair.  The sponsors will probably make this information available to you prior to the event.  
 
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Tip #2: Get Your Paperwork Ready
During the virtual job fair:
⁃	Have your résumé ready;
⁃	Have your references ready; and
⁃	Be prepared to upload your résumé to the virtual job fair platform.

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Tip #3: Stay Professional
Address recruiters as “Ms.” and “Mr.”. Be polite.
You are not texting with friends; don’t use emoticons and terms like LOL or OMG. Use complete sentences.
Use correct grammar and spelling.
Make some notes ahead of time of your main strengths – keep them brief.  
Be patient as you wait for a response. It may take some time for the employer representative to answer.  

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Tip #4: Stay Organized
You may learn about a lot of companies and jobs during a virtual job fair. Be sure to:
⁃	Take notes about the companies and jobs that interest you;
⁃	Have questions ready for the company;
⁃	Keep track of any follow-up you might want to do, such as applying for a job;
⁃	Be sure to write down any contact information you may be given; and
⁃	Send a thank you email to the company within two days of the event.  Include your résumé so they don’t have to look for it.

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Tip #5: Be Realistic
Do not expect to be interviewed during the virtual job fair.
Do not expect to get a job offer during the virtual job fair.
Employers participate in virtual job fairs to gather résumés, and make an initial connection with potential candidates that may lead to future phone and in-person interviews.  

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Additional Resources and Upcoming Events

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Social Security is Hosting a Virtual Job Fair!
Date: March 16, 2016
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern
The job fair is sponsored by Social Security. The job fair will connect you to companies that work with the government.
The participating employers will have openings in one or more of the following locations:
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Washington, DC
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
West Virginia
Puerto Rico

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Social Security is Hosting a Virtual Job Fair! cont
By participating in the fair, you can:
⁃	Talk with job recruiters online via chat forums and one-on-one messages
⁃	Ask questions at virtual resource booths about
⁃	Job accommodations
⁃	Social Security Work Incentives
⁃	Legal issues that sometimes create barriers to work for people with disabilities.

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Social Security is Hosting a Virtual Job Fair! cont
The job fair is for current Ticket to Work participants.
If you are using your Ticket to receive services from an Employment Network (EN)  or State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (VR), and are ready to work, you should register for the fair.
Contact your EN or state VR agency to find out how to register for the Virtual Job Fair or you have have questions about the event.

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Find Help Tool

If you want to participate in Social Security’s Virtual Job Fair, and you have not assigned your ticket to an Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation provider, visit www.choosework.net/findhelp to search for the right service provider for you. 
You can search by:
⁃	ZIP code
⁃	Services offered
⁃	Disability types
⁃	Languages spoken
⁃	Provider type (EN, Workforce EN, VR, WIPA or PABSS)

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For More Information
Call the Ticket to Work Help Line:
•	1-866-968-7842 (V)
•	1-866-833-2967 (TTY)
Visit:
•	www.socialsecurity.gov/work

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