Our July WISE webinar featured the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) and discussed reasonable accommodations in the workplace. If you missed the webinar, today's blog post answers top questions that we received from attendees. Read and find out how reasonable accommodations can affect your path to work.
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.
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.
There are 2 easy ways you can request a reasonable accommodation:
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.
Yes, you need to disclose that you have a disability for an employer to make reasonable accommodations available. Your employer needs to know:
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.
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:
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!
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.
Contact the Ticket to Work Help Line
Call 1-866-968-7842
1-866-833-2967 (TTY)
M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET
Contact the Ticket to Work Help Line
Call 1-866-968-7842
1-866-833-2967 (TTY)
M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET
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