Arthritis and Employment

October 12 was World Arthritis Day! Did you know arthritis is the most common cause of disability and one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States? (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). People with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions account for at least one in four of those who receive Social Security disability benefits. (Source: WebMD) This number goes up among older workers.

The good news is there are resources and supports to help you manage arthritis at work. It’s also important to consider things like your working hours, where you work, and tools to help you work more comfortably.

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN) – JAN is a free, confidential and personalized service that offers employment guidance to people with disabilities. It also offers specific information about accommodations for people with arthritis. JAN is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
• Arthritis Foundation – The Arthritis Foundation is a non-profit organization addressing the needs of people living with arthritis in the United States. It offers multiple resources on finding a job and working with arthritis.

If you have arthritis and are ready to explore employment, be sure to connect with the Ticket to Work program.

Additional Resource

Finding a Job and Working with Arthritis (Arthritis Foundation)