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You Asked, We Answer! Ticket to Work and Reasonable Accommodations

Graphic of the blue Ticket to Work WISE

During our July WISE webinar, Ticket to Work and Reasonable Accommodations, the Ticket to Work (Ticket) team was joined by Sarah and Melanie from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) to discuss reasonable accommodations and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

JAN helps people who are working or looking for work to think about accommodations that can help them succeed in the workplace. JAN also offers guidance on requesting accommodations for job interviews.

More than 450 people joined us for the webinar, and today we're sharing answers to the top questions you asked during the webinar. You can also check out the full webinar in our WISE archives.

What are reasonable accommodations?

Reasonable accommodations are changes to a job, workplace, or the way a job is carried out that allow an employee with a disability to perform a job for which they are qualified.

Accommodations can help you on your career path even before you've been hired. Under the ADA, employers must provide reasonable accommodations to employees and people who are applying for a job. That means you can consider and request changes to a job application process or an interview. Learn more about Making Interviews Accessible for You.

How can I request a reasonable accommodation?

There are 2 easy ways you can request a reasonable accommodation:

Make your request in writing by using email or writing a letter. Having a copy of the request in writing can help you track the process of requesting and receiving an accommodation. JAN provides some tips in Sample Language for Accommodation Request Letters (askjan.org).
Make your request verbally. Ask your supervisor or manager to talk with you privately to explain the situation.

A Ticket program service provider, like an Employment Network (EN), can also help you consider and request reasonable accommodations as you look for work and transition to the workplace.

Additional resources

Do I need to disclose my disability to an employer to receive
a reasonable accommodation?

Yes, you need to disclose that you have a disability for an employer to make reasonable accommodations available. Your employer needs to know:

You have a disability;
What your limitations are within the workplace; and
What accommodation ideas you have to help you perform in the workplace.

While your supervisor or manager may need medical information, this information, including the disclosure that you have a disability, must be kept confidential by your employer. The information is shared only with people involved with supplying you the accommodation. You can learn more about disclosing your disability in Disclosure: Let’s Talk About It.

What options do I have if I've been denied a reasonable accommodation or am being discriminated against because of my disability?

As long as your employer provides an effective accommodation, they don't have to provide the exact accommodation you request. For example, you may request an assistant to read a skills test with you during a job application process, but the employer provides an audio recording of the test instead. Because the recording helps you take the test effectively, this would be considered a reasonable accommodation.

If your employer denies your request, ask why to help you decide what to do next. You may need to provide additional medical information about your disability. The accommodation may prove to be an undue hardship for the employer. You and your employer can work together to consider different options.

If your employer doesn't have a valid reason for denying your request, you can:

Appeal the decision through supervisors and Human Resources;
File a grievance with your union if you're a member of one;
File a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOCC) or your state enforcement agency; or
Seek legal support and advocacy support from a Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) organization if you receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI/SSDI).

Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.

Each month, Social Security's WISE webinars share resources and tips for people with disabilities to help them find work and financial success. WISE webinars can help you stay informed about the Ticket program, new and existing resources that may help as you consider work, and specific employment topics. Our next WISE webinar, Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Part 1: SSI, will take place on Wednesday, August 23, 3–4:30 p.m. ET. Register today!

Learn more

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit www.ssa.gov/work. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

Money Mondays: Managing Money in a Digital World

The road to financial independence begins with keeping track of your money. Whether you're beginning a job search, starting a new job or maybe getting a raise, knowing where you stand financially is key to planning your future. Today, we're sharing electronic options for you to think about as you make your financial plan.

Banking

Many banks and credit unions offer online banking services and smartphone applications for managing finances. In addition to checking your account balances and transactions, you can use online banking options to:

Transfer money. If you have both checking and savings accounts, many banks will help you set up automatic transfers to move money from checking to savings each month to help you reach your long-term goals. Or you can make transfers manually online by logging into your account and deciding how much you need to transfer between accounts. You can do the same thing to transfer money from savings to checking for emergency expenses, like car repairs and doctor appointments.

Pay bills. You may be able to take care of bills you pay every month online. Ask your utility companies, including cell phone provider, if they have an easy way for you to go online to check your balance and pay your bill.

Stay in the know. Many banks let you set up text message and email alerts so that you can find out as soon as your accounts reach a certain amount. This can help you consider your spending habits and be sure you have enough funds in your account to pay for important expenses. As you transition to work and start earning a paycheck, you can check to see if your bank will send you account alerts. For example, you can set alerts for maximum or minimum amounts.

Budgeting

As you transition to work and start earning a paycheck, digital tools may help you set, track and reach savings goals. Both MyMoney.gov and AmericaSaves.org offer tools to help create a budget. Use their calculators and checklists to identify your monthly income and your set monthly expenses, like rent, car payments, car insurance and more. Then, you can create savings and spending plans to help you reach monthly savings goals.

You can also create debt trackers, so if you're paying off a loan, you can find out how much of your monthly payments go toward paying off the principal loan amount or toward loan interest. This can help you stay on track with paying or make a plan to pay off loans more quickly if you're able.

Online and mobile accessibility

Using mobile and online banking options may also offer you more accessibility. Because you can log into your account remotely, you can control your money without visiting the bank. For people who are blind or have low-vision, requesting account statements in Braille or writing checks can prove difficult. However, online access to accounts and screen reader technology offer the ability to check account balances or pay bills more easily and privately. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can chat with bank representatives via instant-message and make electronic requests to manage accounts. With more accessibility options, you can feel more confident about how you manage your money.

Additional resources

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn More

Finding Work through LinkedIn

If you're an active job seeker, you probably have already completed your LinkedIn profile, posted your resume and connected with acquaintances. That's a good start. Today, we'll talk about more steps you can take to use LinkedIn to get noticed and find that job you want. If you haven't yet finished your profile or created your network, we've posted some tips on our blog, An Introduction to LinkedIn.

Getting Noticed

You can improve your chances of getting noticed by adding to your connections and by sharpening your profile. For example:

Invite former co-workers (at any level) to connect with you. Send a personal note with the invitation.
Use the LinkedIn site's "People You May Know" tool (located under the "My Network" tab) to reach out to people with similar backgrounds and connections.
Ask for recommendations from people you've worked with. Offer to write one for them.
Add keywords that relate to your job field. Put those words in your summary statement at the top of your profile. You can even add a specific location where you'd like to work. The more specific you are, the more likely someone is to find you.

Getting Engaged

After you've added to your connections and keywords, here are a few more actions you can take to make LinkedIn work for you:

Follow the Ticket to Work program!

The Ticket to Work LinkedIn page shares updates on the Ticket program and resources for creating a strong resume, connecting with employers and requesting reasonable accommodations on your path to work.

Engage with what other users are saying or sharing. Comment on their posts, notice when they change jobs, and congratulate them on their achievements.
Use the search function at the top of your homepage to find and join LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your field.
Identify people you want to meet. Invite them for coffee. You don't have to ask them for a job. You can seek advice or ask questions about trends in your field.
If you're interested in working for a particular company, go to its page and click to "follow" it. Ask your friends for introductions to their friends who work at that company.
Look at the list of people who work at the company you're interested in to find potential connections. Find employees whose paths are similar to one you would like, invite them to connect. Write notes to contacts that show that you've researched the employer and the employees' personal accomplishments.
Maintain your relationships. Stay in touch with those people you think could be helpful in your job search by reaching out to them 3 or 4 times a year.
Help someone else with their professional goals. Perhaps you can introduce 2 people who can help teach or mentor a student who is looking for his first job.

Finally, check in to LinkedIn every day for a few minutes and once a week for 30 minutes. That's how much time you'll need to write to a new connection and to participate in a group discussion. Be an active user. According to a career expert at LinkedIn, hiring managers are 10 times more likely to look at your profile if you post something at least weekly.

About Ticket to Work

Learn More

An Introduction to LinkedIn

If you're searching for a job, you may already know about LinkedIn, the free social media tool that's geared toward business and employment networking. Because about 85% of critical jobs are filled through networking, joining a platform like LinkedIn with its more than 500 million users makes sense for many people.

A good way to think about LinkedIn is as a community of people with whom you can connect through common interests. It's up to you how you participate. You can write a professional profile, post your resume and hope someone sees it and offers you a job. Or, you can increase your visibility by actively communicating through the LinkedIn tools. If you haven't already joined or would like some ideas on how to make the most of the features LinkedIn offers, we have a few tips that may help.

Getting started

Before joining LinkedIn, make sure your resume is up to date. You'll need it as you start to fill in your LinkedIn profile.

To make your profile stand out, use your own words to say who you are and what your professional interests are. Use key words that people in your field of work will recognize.
When you write your headline, describe how you see yourself. You are more than a job title. For example, "A social media strategist with a strong interest in environmental issues" is a lot more interesting than "Manager of Digital Strategy."
You can add a sample work product if that's appropriate to your field. For example, a speech you wrote or a video you made can draw people's attention.
When you add your photograph, it should be a headshot of you alone. A photo in which you're facing forward is best.
The next step is completing the experience section. You'll use information from your resume to list your work experience and accomplishments. Remember, you don't have to include every job you've ever had; just include ones that are relevant to the job you are looking for.
Finally, fill in the other sections of the profile, like education, skills and volunteer activities. Those features show people who you are and what matters to you.

Follow the Ticket to Work program!

Once you set up your LinkedIn profile, you can follow the Ticket to Work page for updates on the Ticket program and resources for creating a strong resume, connecting with employers and requesting reasonable accommodations on your path to work.

Getting connected

Once you have completed your profile, the next step is to create your professional network. You'll do this by sending people an invitation to connect.
Networking doesn't mean reaching out cold to strangers. You can start building your LinkedIn network by uploading your online address book (from your email account) and connecting to people you know and trust.
When you send your invitations, make your request to connect personal. For example, you can send a friendly note or if necessary, a reminder of where you met, who you met through, or what organization you have in common.

Getting engaged

Now that you have completed your profile and gathered your network, it's time to plan how you'll use LinkedIn to find job leads, stay current with trends in your field and learn what your colleagues are doing. Our blog, Finding Work through LinkedIn, talks about how you can make LinkedIn work for you.

About Ticket to Work

Learn more

Start Your Job Search at an August Career Fair

We Are Hiring yellow cutout Career fairs are an excellent way to begin or continue your job search if you want to return to work or work for the first time. Some career fairs are only in person; others are now virtual. Below are some career fairs being held around the country in August.

City Career Fair (In person)

City Career Fair brings some of the most well-known and respected employers to cities near you. Be sure to check them out the next time they are in your area.

August 2: Orange County, CA
August 9: Denver, CO
August 23: Portland, OR

Veteran Recruiting (Virtual)

Veteran Recruiting's Veteran Recruitment Center regularly hosts virtual job fairs with employers seeking to hire veterans.

August 2: Comcast NBCUniversal Virtual Career Fair
August 9: Verizon Virtual Job Fair
August 16: Disabled Veterans Virtual Career Fair

RecruitMilitary (In Person)

RecruitMilitary seeks to tap into the extensive talent pool that veterans represent for employers.

August 3: San Diego Veterans Job Fair
August 3: New Orleans Veterans Job Fair
August 17: Birmingham Veterans Job Fair
August 24: Denver Veterans Job Fair
August 31: San Antonio Veterans Job Fair

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (In Person)

Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for one of its Hiring Fairs this month.

August 17: Gulfport/Biloxi Hiring Fair
August 17: San Francisco Hiring Expo with San Francisco Giants
August 30: New Orleans Hiring Fair

Hire Heroes USA Veterans Virtual Career Fair (Virtual)

Join Hire Heroes USA for this free online recruiting event open to all transitioning U.S. Military service members, veterans and military spouses.

August 29: Register here!

About Ticket to Work

Learn More

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit https://www.ssa.gov/work. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

Policy at Work: Celebrating 27 Years of the ADA

By Jennifer Sheehy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy

Jennifer Sheehy smiling As a person with a spinal cord injury, and as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, July 26 is a special and significant day for me. It's the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark legislation designed to make American society more accessible to people with disabilities. This includes, of course, America's workplaces.

The ADA and employment

Signed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, including employment. So, if you're an employee or a job seeker with a disability, you have the ADA to thank for a range of important employment protections.

For example, if you're looking for a job, the ADA ensures that job application procedures and hiring practices are open and equally accessible to people with disabilities. This means that employers must provide an accommodation, if needed, to participate in a job interview or take a pre-employment test. If you're working currently, or returning to work after an injury or illness, the ADA prohibits discrimination related to leave, advancement, compensation, training and other workplace practices. Overall, the ADA says people with disabilities, like all people, should be judged solely on their ability to perform the job at hand.

You can learn more about the ADA, and find technical assistance, on the Office of Disability Employment Policy's (ODEP) ADA web page.

Why we work

The ADA's protections are essential to our society because they break down barriers and allow us all to benefit from the significant skills and talents people with disabilities have to offer. But when it comes to employment, the ADA is even more important on an individual level, protecting the right of people with disabilities to work and lead full, productive lives. That’s why I'm such a strong advocate for helping people with disabilities find and return to work.

When I acquired my disability 22 years ago, work played an integral role in my recovery. I was an MBA student and intern at Anheuser Busch at the time, and while I was recovering in a rehabilitation center from my accident, the company's executive vice president came to visit and assured me there would always be a place for me when I was ready to get back to work. That simple act raised the expectations I had for myself and gave me confidence I needed to pursue work again and transition off Social Security disability benefits.

Although I ultimately followed a different path, the gesture significantly influenced my career going forward. It reminded me why work mattered to me, as both an individual and member of society. Today, with many years of career experience behind me, I realize that we all work for different reasons. Certainly, we work for practical reasons—to make money and provide for ourselves and families. But, there is more to work than that. We also work for self-fulfillment. That's certainly a big part of why I work. It's about the challenge and satisfaction that come with being part of something bigger than myself.

I find myself reflecting upon these sentiments every July, when the ADA anniversary brings inclusion and equality to the forefront. But, of course, we must remember to live out the spirit of the ADA every day of every month by advancing our own employment goals, and those of people with disabilities across America.

About the guest blogger

Jennifer Sheehy is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Through its Employment and Training Administration (ETA), DOL administers the nation's public workforce system, including the nationwide network of American Job Centers (AJCs), some of which are Employment Networks (ENs) under the Ticket to Work program.

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.
The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Learn more

Make Everyday Adaptive Equipment, Tools & Services Count at Work

Man with crutches opening car door In this month's Money Mondays post, we talked about reasonable onsite accommodations that have no cost or that employers pay for. However, because of your disability, you may need an item or service that helps you both at work and in your personal life outside of work. Since you use the item or service at work and outside of work, your employer does not have to pay for these types of expenses. However, there are Social Security Work Incentives that may help. Let's look at how Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) and a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) may offer the support you need.

IRWE

IRWEs are available to people who receive either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Using IRWEs can help you afford items or services related to your disability that you need to work but also used for daily living.

Examples of Disability	Examples of Items and Services of a Personal Nature
Diabetes Mellitus or Anxiety Disorder	Prescription medication required to control your impairment
Epilepsy	Transportation expenses
Cerebral Palsy	Assistive technology used to communicate, often taken from job to job
Spinal Cord Injury	Wheelchair
Deafness or Hearing Loss	Hearing aide

For example, if you have hearing loss, your employer may provide and pay for an accessible telephone as a reasonable accommodation for you to talk with people on the phone at work. In addition to the phone, you may need a hearing aid to hold conversations with people in the office, including managers, coworkers and clients. Because this is a personal item that you may use outside of work, you are responsible for the cost. If you pay for the hearing aid and are not reimbursed through Medicare, Medicaid or a private insurance company, you can report your hearing aid as an IRWE because you need it in your everyday life and to be able to work. Social Security will not count the income and resources that you use for these expenses when they figure your benefit payment.

While IRWEs are available for people who receive either SSI or SSDI, this Work Incentive affects the benefits differently. Visit Social Security’s Red Book to learn how IRWEs can help you afford accommodations on your road to financial independence.

PASS

If you receive SSI or can become eligible for it, a PASS can help you pay for Social Security-approved expenses that you need to achieve a specific work goal, even self-employment. With an approved PASS, the income or resources that would ordinarily count against your SSI benefit payment does not count if those resources are used to pay for approved expenses.

IRWE	PASS
An out-of- pocket expense incurred due to your disability and necessary to work.	Any out-of-pocket expense related to achieving a work goal.

You may want to consider a PASS if you're looking for work and have created an Individual Work Plan (IWP) with an Employment Network (EN). A PASS can help you afford items or services you need to enter or re-enter the workforce. And unlike an IRWE, a PASS can include items and resources not related to your disability, as long as they help you toward your work goal.

To find out more about Social Security's requirements for a PASS, look at Form SSA-545-BK.

Ticket to Work and Work Incentives

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Through the Ticket program, service providers, like ENs, can help you identify, plan for and reach your employment and financial goals. Many ENs also have Benefits Counselors on staff who can talk with you about how work will affect your benefits and introduce you to Work Incentives, like PASS and IRWE that can help you as you transition to the workplace.

The Ticket program hosts free monthly Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinars where you can learn more about Work Incentives and other resources available to people who receive Social Security disability benefits. Register now to attend our next free WISE webinar. You can also view past webinars in our WISE webinar archives.

Learn More

You Asked, We Answer! Ticket to Work for Young Adults

Graphic of the blue Ticket to Work WISE During our June WISE webinar, Ticket to Work for Young Adults, guest presenter Tad Asbury of the Bridges from School to Work (Bridges) program, gave employment advice for people with disabilities, specifically young adults. As young adults with disabilities leave school and transition to the workforce, the Bridges and Ticket to Work (Ticket) programs offer supports and resources for finding work.

More than 300 attendees learned how Bridges, the Ticket program and Social Security's Work Incentives may help young adults and people with disabilities find their paths to careers and financial independence. We were excited to see that many people had questions about resources they could use, and today we're sharing answers to the top questions from the webinar.

What is the Bridges from School to Work program?

The Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities established the Bridges from School to Work (Bridges) program in 1989 to help businesses meet workforce needs by pairing them with qualified entry-level employees. Bridges is an Employment Network (EN) under the Ticket program. Each year, Bridges helps more than 1,000 young adults prepare for the workplace and find a job. Most of the young adults it serves are transitioning out of high school special education programs, and Bridges provides options and supports to meet their work goals.

Bridges is employer-driven. They focus on the abilities and skills that people with disabilities have and match them with jobs for which they are well-qualified. A thoughtful job match, employment supports and additional resources can help many people with disabilities achieve success.

Bridges helps both the employer and employee build trust and respect as they strive to meet employment goals.

What is PASS? How can it help young adults with their career goals?

The Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) is a Work Incentive that can help many people with disabilities, including young adults, as they work toward their employment goals. PASS is available to people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or can become eligible for it. If you apply for a PASS and Social Security approves it, you can set aside income (other than SSI) to pay for a specific work-related item or service, such as education, self-employment start-up costs, job coaching or transportation. When Social Security figures your SSI payment, they do not count the income you set aside under your PASS. This means Social Security will continue to provide benefits for basic living needs and you can save money to meet your work goals. You can learn more about PASS in Work Incentives Wednesdays: Plan to Achieve Self-Support.

Be ready to provide examples of your work experience:

Making decisions
Working in a team
Dealing with stress
Helping customers
Managing time
Taking action

What can I do to prepare for and feel confident during a job interview?

As Tad explained during the webinar, it's not what you know, but what you DO with what you know that matters. The STAR method of answering questions during an interview can help you to feel confident about sharing what you know to increase your chance of being hired. The STAR method involves:

Situation: Think about a situation that had a successful outcome.
Task: Describe the task you were responsible for in the situation.
Action: Describe exactly what you did.
Result: Share the outcome and how you contributed to it.

Many employers conduct pre-hire tests by asking about prior work experience, believing that past performance is the best predictor of future performance. Companies want individuals whose skills, abilities and character stand out. Before your next interview, think about and prepare concrete STAR examples to show that your experience and skills are perfect for the job.

Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.

The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

The Ticket program can also share information about Work Incentives, which may help you transition to work. You don't need to worry about suddenly being without your benefit payments and Medicaid or Medicare because you started working. For more information about all of Social Security's Work Incentives, check out The Red Book – A Guide to Work Incentives.

National WISE webinars

Each month, Social Security's WISE webinars share resources and tips for people with disabilities to help them find work and financial success. WISE webinars can help you stay informed about Ticket program information, new and existing resources that may help as you consider work and learn more about specific employment topics. Our next WISE webinar, Ticket to Work and Reasonable Accommodations, will take place on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, 3-4:30 p.m. ET. Register today!

Learn more

Making Interviews Accessible for You

Throughout July, we're discussing the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). One key feature of the ADA prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment. That means employers must provide reasonable workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities. However, did you know that employers must also provide accommodations to people with disabilities who are applying for a job? Today, we're talking about accommodations in the interview process.

Requesting a reasonable accommodation

An employer may ask if you need a reasonable accommodation for the interview, or you may need to make the request yourself, either verbally or in written form.

We recommend requesting the accommodation when setting up the interview because the employer may need time to make arrangements. For example, if an employer needs to arrange for a different location for wheelchair accessibility, they may need time to find and reserve a space to hold the interview.

The employer is not required to provide the exact accommodation that you request as long as they provide a suitable accommodation. For example, if you are blind and request that an interview test be read to you, the employer may choose to offer the test on a computer using a screen reader or by audio recording instead as long as it allows you to complete the task.

Under the ADA, employers are not allowed to ask you questions about your disability before you're employed with them. However, an employer who may not be familiar with your disability may ask for more information about it before setting up accommodations. If they do, it is your responsibility to provide accurate information so that the employer can arrange the accommodation.

Interview accommodations

When you apply for and interview for a job, consider the following:

Review the job posting. Make sure you have the qualifications for it. Employers are required to detail the essential functions of the job to ensure that qualified people with disabilities are not discriminated against.
Know the questions they may ask. Even though employers are not allowed to ask questions about your disability before you're employed with them, if you're applying for a federal government position or for a job with a federal government contractor, they will ask you if you want to self-identify as a person with a disability under Sections 501 and 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Keep in mind that an employer who hires you is allowed to ask medical questions about your ability to complete job functions if these questions are asked of all employees, regardless of disability.
Think about other accommodations you may need for the interview such as a sign language interpreter, someone to assist with filling out paperwork or that the interview be held somewhere with wheelchair accessibility.
Ask about tests that you may need to take during the interview process, which may alert you to accommodations you'll need.

Additional Resources

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Job Applicants and the Americans with Disabilities Act
JAN: Employers' Practical Guide to Reasonable Accommodation Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Employers Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN): Interviews

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.

The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

Ticket program service providers, like Employment Networks (EN) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, may be able to help you request and secure reasonable accommodations for your job interviews. If you've never considered reasonable accommodations, a service provider can help you learn more and find options that can help you succeed in the workplace. They can also guide you through requesting job accommodations as you interview for job positions and transition into the workplace.

Learn more

To learn more about the Ticket program, visit www.ssa.gov/work. You can also call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Ask a representative to send you a list of service providers or find providers on your own with the Ticket program Find Help tool.

Money Mondays: The (Low and No) Cost of Reasonable Accommodations

Disability icons We're marking the 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this month. In today's Money Mondays, we're talking about the cost of reasonable accommodations and who pays for them.

Reasonable accommodations

The ADA requires many employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation is a change to a job, work environment or the way work is performed that allows a person with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of the job, and enjoy equal access to benefits available to other people in the workplace.

Many accommodations are only minor changes to the workspace. However, you may wonder what these accommodations cost and who is responsible for paying for them. If you're thinking about returning to work or finding work for the first time, the potential expense of onsite accommodations may make you wonder if you can afford to work.

The good news is that the ADA requires many employers to pay for and provide onsite job accommodations, so you're not financially responsible for making these changes. Instead of worrying about if you have access to and the ability to pay for job accommodations, you can focus on doing your best during the interview process and transitioning to a new position.

Myths and Facts

To learn more about the ADA and its regulations, check out the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employers and the ADA: Myths and Facts.
It can help you learn more about your rights to equal-opportunity employment. For example, small businesses with fewer than 15 employees are not covered by the provisions of the ADA and are not required to provide accommodations.

Low cost, high impact

While many accommodations are free to provide, employers also provide onsite job accommodations that have a cost. Some people may feel uncomfortable requesting job accommodations because of the cost, but we have good news about this too. In their Reasonable Accommodations: Low Cost High Impact study, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) collected information from 700 employers. JAN found that typically, accommodations will be a one-time cost of $500 or less; however, most employers reported paying less or paying nothing at all for the accommodations they provided to their employees. In fact, JAN reports that 59% of job accommodations cost absolutely nothing.

Examples of Free or Low-Cost Reasonable Accommodation
If a person:	A reasonable accommodation could be:
Has light sensitivity	Adjustments to lighting or change in seating assignment
Uses a wheelchair that won't fit under a desk	Adjustments to the desk height
Needs time off for doctor's appointments	Arrangements for an adjusted work schedule

In the study, JAN also found that of the employers who participated:

59% said the accommodations needed by employees cost nothing;
36% experienced a one-time cost;
4% said the accommodation resulted in an ongoing, annual cost to the company; and
1% said the accommodation required a combination of one-time and annual costs

Employers in the study also reported that providing accommodations had helped them keep valued employees, increased attendance and productivity, added to the company's diversity, and improved company morale.

You can learn more about reasonable job accommodations by visiting JAN’s website, where you can find accommodation ideas and guidance on how to request reasonable accommodations from your employer.

About Ticket to Work

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI or SSDI) and want to work.
The Ticket program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

How can the Ticket to Work program help?

Employers are typically willing to set up and provide reasonable accommodations for their employees, but you may feel unsure about what accommodation would help you or how you should make the request. Ticket program service providers, like Employment Networks (EN) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, may be able to help. They can make accommodation suggestions and guide you through making the request and securing accommodations from your employer.

Additional Resources

Register and attend our WISE webinar on July 19. JAN will present on reasonable accommodations and share how they can help you on your career path.
Subscribe to our blog and stay updated on Ticket program news and information. Later this month, we'll talk about the cost of reasonable accommodations and who pays for them and provide tips about requesting accommodations during the interview process.

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