Finding the Right Fit with a Federal Government Contractor

When you're ready to try working, finding the right job means looking at a variety of factors — job requirements, your skills, the company's location and culture — among other things. At the same time, employers are looking for qualified candidates. Did you know that there's a law that requires businesses that have contracts with the federal government to actively recruit and hire qualified individuals with disabilities? It's a provision of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act) called Section 503.

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act requires employers to not only actively recruit and hire individuals with disabilities, but to support these individuals during employment through training, promotion and retention. These rules can lead to more job opportunities for people with disabilities as federal contractors in a variety of fields and businesses of various sizes, ranging from small family-owned businesses to large international corporations. Employers may work in construction, food service and IT and administrative support, among many other fields.

Ticket to Work Can Help!

Your Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program service provider is a great resource to help you find such federal contractors and job openings. If working as a federal contractor sounds like a good fit for you, service providers like these are ready to help:

• State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies and Employment Networks (EN): Many State VR agencies and ENs can help you locate employers and support you through the job search process. To find the right EN or State VR agency for you, use our Find Help tool.
• American Job Centers (AJC): Many AJCs provide resources to job seekers throughout various stages of the job hunt. These include career counseling, job interview practice sessions, job search assistance, job training and much more. Find your local AJC.

From Airman to Department of Defense (DOD) Support

One person who benefitted from support from the Ticket Program and Section 503 was Angel. After years of service in the Air Force and extensive damage to his neck and back, Angel found he couldn't keep up with the physical demands required of an airman. After he was medically retired, had multiple surgeries and recovered from a health scare, Angel felt he was ready to return to the civilian workforce.

With support from his Ticket Program service provider, Angel found a full-time position that supports the U.S.DOD. He's now in a workplace that provides him with the accommodations and support he needs to succeed.

"Being back at work has had a positive impact in so many areas of my life," Angel said. "I've been able to [show] my children the rewards that can go with perseverance and resilience."

Read more about Angel and learn how the Ticket Program helped ease his transition to the civilian workforce.

About Ticket to Work

There's a lot to consider when job searching, and it can be tough trying to do everything on your own. 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 Ticket Program is free and voluntary. It helps people with disabilities move toward financial independence and connects them with the services and support they need to succeed in the workforce.

By participating in the Ticket Program, you'll have access to a wide variety of services from service providers that offer free short-term and long-term supports to help you find and maintain employment.

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