#ADAat30: How the Americans with Disabilities Act Protects People with Mental Illness

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we're revisiting one of our most popular blog posts.

Approximately 1 in 3 Social Security disability beneficiaries has a mental illness. For many coping with a mental illness, finding a job is not easy and commonly takes more than one attempt. Fortunately, for people who receive Social Security disability benefits, Work Incentives, like Expedited Reinstatement can help.   

This year, we're celebrating 30 years since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Today we answer the question: How are people with mental illness protected against discrimination in the workplace?

One key feature of the ADA prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in all aspects of employment, including pay, promotion, hiring, and firing. Employers and potential employers are not allowed to treat employees or candidates with disabilities differently than other employees or job candidates. As long as you can complete the essential tasks of the job, you should be considered equally among other candidates. Learn about what you can do if you feel you've been discriminated against in our blog, The EEOC and Discrimination.

The ADA also requires employers to provide reasonable workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities and to job candidates during the interview process.

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. Examples of reasonable accommodations for people with a mental illness could include a flexible schedule, allowing the use of headphones during work to reduce stress, or a more private workspace.

To learn more, read our original post How the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Protects People with Mental Illness.

Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) program has helped people with mental illnesses find the services and support they need to reach financial independence. Read the Success Stories of Cherie, Johnny and Brenda, who have managed their mental illnesses, and taken advantage of the Ticket program and other Work Incentives.