#ADAat30: Celebrating 30 Years

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 30^th 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.

Matt's Story

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.

Are you ready to get started on your career path?

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.

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