First announced by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, the last week of June is recognized as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week. Helen Keller was one of the most accomplished, respected deaf-blind American citizens in history. This week Ticket to Work recognizes those who are blind, deaf and hard of hearing - like Helen Keller.
Today, more and more people who are deaf, hard of hearing and blind have opportunities to actively engage in their communities through local activities and employment. For those receiving Social Security disability benefits who are looking to find and maintain jobs, the Ticket to Work program and other resources can help.
• Finding Your Path to Employment with Ticket to Work in American Sign Language (ASL) - This video explains the Ticket to Work program, types of job-related services offered and who can help you understand your benefits. Watch Finding Your Path to Employment in the Library section of choosework.net or on YouTube. You can also read the transcript here.
• Finding Job Support that Fits Your Needs - Some Ticket to Work service providers offer special services for people with specific kinds of disabilities. If you are blind, deaf or hard of hearing, search by your disability using the Guided Search in the Ticket to Work Find Help Tool. You can also search by ZIP code or, if you know it, the name of the service provider you are looking for.
• Job Accommodations Network (JAN) - The Job Accommodations Network (JAN) provides resources such as Accommodation Ideas for Hearing Loss and product listings for deaf and hard of hearing impairments. You can also find Job Accommodations ideas and resources for those who are blind or visually impaired. Talk to a JAN consultant for help obtaining accommodations to help you perform on the job.
The Ticket to Work program offers Social Security disability beneficiaries choices in getting the services and support they need to find work and reach their career goals. To learn how the program can help you, contact the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 (V) or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY).
*Image above is unchanged viaWikimedia Commons and the Library of Congress.
