Celebrate NDEAM 2018!

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!

Led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, NDEAM is about creating awareness of the value of an inclusive workforce that recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities.

This year, Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program is excited to celebrate NDEAM and its theme, "America's Workforce: Empowering All," by sharing stories and resources that may empower you to pursue your employment goals.

The Ticket program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI or SSI) and want to work. The goal of this free and voluntary program is to assist people with disabilities by connecting them with the supports and services they need to succeed in the workforce.

Ticket program service providers, like Employment Networks (EN) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies, work with people who are eligible for the program to identify their work goals, polish their resumes, search for jobs, and transition to the workplace. They can also help you identify additional training or education that you may need to reach your goals, and help you find opportunities to expand your skills and experience. Most State VR agencies may even provide training opportunities to help you make progress toward finding a job that fits your interests and skills.

Many service providers also have Benefits Counselors on staff. Benefits counselors are trained to analyze all of your public benefits, explain how earning income will affect them and help you understand the supports that are available from Social Security to make the transition easier. That way you can make an informed choice about finding work. Once you start working, a Benefits Counselor can also help explain wage reporting responsibilities and may be able to help you through the process.

Find resources

Check out our Choose Work Facebook and Twitter pages, where we're sharing resources to help you pursue and reach your work goals. You can also find resources in our Library to help you choose an EN, plan your work goals or understand Social Security Work Incentives like the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS).

Meet real people who found the support they needed — people like Walter, who worked with his EN to achieve his dream of working at Cornell University and owning his own home. Or read about Lisa and Lori, who were both inspired by the support they received and now work for a Ticket program EN. Check back later this week, when we'll share a brand-new success story!

Get started

If you're eligible for the Ticket program and want to pursue your employment goals, it's easy to get started.

Calling the Ticket to Work Help Line will connect you with a representative who can answer your questions and send you a list of Ticket program service providers. You can call the Help Line Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET at 866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY).

Our monthly Work Incentives Seminar Event (WISE) webinars also share key information about programs and supports, like Social Security Work Incentives. This month, we'll be sharing tips on how to create a strong resume and prepare for and ace your next job interview. You'll also learn how a Ticket program service provider can help you with these skills and other steps of the job search process. This free webinar is on October 24, 3 – 4:30 p.m. ET. Register today!

Celebrate NDEAM

We encourage you to join us as we celebrate disability employment, both during NDEAM and throughout the year.

• Visit dol.gov/ndeam to learn more about how you can participate in NDEAM activities.
• Check out the Campaign for Disability Employment's Facebook and Twitter pages for updates on NDEAM

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