Ticket to Work: Advancing Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Ticket to Work: Advancing Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities By Guest Blogger Bob Williams, Associate Commissioner, Social Security’s Office of Employment Support Programs July 26th marks the 23rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark civil rights legislation guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, transportation and telecommunications. With respect to employment, the ADA assures that people with disabilities have an equal chance to become and stay employed in two key ways: It prohibits employers from discriminating against anyone on the basis of disability in their hiring or employment practices, and It holds employers responsible for providing workers with disabilities reasonable accommodations in the workplace. The unemployment rate for people with disabilities continues to decrease, and government programs, like Ticket to Work, may be the answer for those individuals who receive Social Security disability benefits, but want to make more money through work. In 1999, the Ticket to Work program was established to advance employment opportunities for Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities. Read More about the Ticket to Work Program