Recognizing National Diabetes Month: Employment Support for People with Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month! National Diabetes Month was started by the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) - a program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is observed yearly to draw attention to diabetes and its effects on millions of Americans. This year's theme is Diabetes Education and Support: Everyone Has a Role. What's Yours? The theme highlights the need for ongoing diabetes education and support among people with diabetes and those who care for them.

This is especially important, since more than 29 million Americans have diabetes. Additionally, it is thought that one in every four people with diabetes does not even know they have it. Undiagnosed or untreated diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.

If you or someone you know has diabetes, the following resources can help:

• Job Accommodations Network (JAN) - JAN provides free, confidential technical assistance and resources about job accommodations, including accommodation ideas for employees with diabetes. Talk to a JAN expert for help getting adjustments to help you perform your job.

• American Diabetes Association - The American Diabetes Association provides resources and information for people with diabetes, including resources to assist you in obtaining job accommodations in the workplace. Take the Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test to find out your current risk of having Type 2 diabetes, as well as the risk factors you have.

If you are age 18 through 64, receive Social Security disability benefits and are interested in working, the Ticket to Work program may be right for you:

• Check out Robert's Success Story - Robert, a Ticket to Work program participant has been a diabetic since he was 10 years old and endured a series of difficult treatments, including the amputation of his left leg. With the help of Ticket to Work and Work Incentives, Robert was able to find meaningful employment. Watch or read his story here.

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 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Representatives are standing by Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET.

_{*Image above is unchanged via the NIH National Diabetes Education Program.}