Social Security Celebrates the Americans with Disabilities Act
This year, we celebrate 32 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). At Social Security, we’re committed to the principles and spirit of the ADA, and the many ways it improves the lives of our beneficiaries. That’s why we’re celebrating and sharing Matt’s story.
As a job seeker who is deaf and needs accommodations, Matt was reluctant to tell prospective employers about his disability. He worried that employers would not hire him if they knew about his disability.
That’s when Matt connected with our Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program. This program supports career development for people ages 18 to 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, approved service providers offer supports and services as participants move toward financial independence through work.
Matt’s service provider told him about the ADA and how it guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination in the workplace. It accomplishes these goals through:
- Anti-discrimination rules that prevent private employers from discriminating against qualified people with disabilities when they apply for jobs.
- Regulations that require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities.
Matt and his service provider identified accommodations that would allow him to demonstrate his capabilities both during the application process and on the job. They created a plan for him to disclose his disability and request accommodations.
Since Matt also wanted to know how his employment might affect his benefits, his Benefits Counselor told him about our Work Incentives. These rules and programs make it easier for adults with disabilities to enhance their job skills while maintaining access to benefits.
Matt also learned that our Medicare-Related Work Incentive allows him to pursue a career without worrying about health care coverage. Matt’s Medicare coverage will continue for more than seven years after he begins full-time work, even if his income exceeds the amount to qualify for disability benefits.
And if Matt’s disability interfered with work, he could return to receiving benefits without having to file a new application through our Expedited Reinstatement Work Incentive.
Matt now works full-time as a human resource analyst. Thanks to the ADA, he received accommodations for the interview process and on the job. He also found that the Ticket Program helped him find a path to a better future.
The Ticket Program is here to help no matter where you are on your career journey. To learn more, register for our free webinar, Ticket to Work and Reasonable Accommodations on July 27. For additional information, please visit choosework.ssa.gov.