On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities — similar to protections provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age and religion. The ADA also ensures equal opportunity for people with disabilities for access to businesses, employment, transportation, government programs and services and telecommunications.
This year, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the ADA. Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program is proud to recognize individuals who have found a path to employment, in part #ThanksToTheADA.
Social Security's Ticket Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) and want to work. This free and voluntary program helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence by connecting them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.
As a jobseeker who is deaf and needs accommodations, Matt was uncertain about his prospects. He was initially reluctant to ask a prospective employer for anything right out of the gate. If employers knew he needed job accommodations, would that take him out of the running?
When Matt connected with the Ticket Program, his service provider told him that the ADA protected him from potential discrimination due to his disability. The ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, unless such accommodations would pose an undue hardship (e.g., too costly, too extensive, too substantial or too disruptive). In general, an applicant or employee with a disability is responsible for letting the employer know that he or she needs an accommodation to participate in the application process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive equal benefits and privileges of employment.
This meant Matt could consider and request adjustments to the application process or to the job itself. Together, Matt and his service provider identified those accommodations that were essential for him to demonstrate what he could offer during the application process and to perform the job. They agreed to an approach for disclosing his disability and requesting accommodations that made him comfortable.
Matt is now working full time as a human resource analyst. #ThanksToTheADA, Matt had access to the accommodations he needed for the interview process and to thrive on the job.
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the ADA, our #ADAat30 blog series looks at how the ADA helps people with disabilities. Learn more:
If you qualify, Ticket Program service providers can help you understand your rights under the ADA and inform you about reasonable accommodations that may help you during your job search or on the job.
Participation in the Ticket Program is voluntary. To learn more, visit choosework.ssa.gov, or call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (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.
If you're interested in receiving text messages from the Ticket Program, please text TICKET to 474747. Standard messaging rates may apply. We'll send updates from our blog, identify steps on the path to employment and more. We hope you'll find this new way to stay in touch helpful.
Opt in to receive information about the Ticket Program via text. Text the word "TICKET" to 474747
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