The Basics

Health care and cash benefits can be important programs that help you lead an independent life. However, the biggest key to being independent is finding a job. If you can get a job, you can earn more money that can help you choose how you want to live. That’s why you need to learn about the laws, reasonable accommodations, and job supports that can help you get a job and do it well.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the most important civil rights law for people with disabilities who are looking for work or have already found a job. It makes it illegal to discriminate against disabled people and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. The ADA and a couple of other relevant laws are briefly introduced in this article.

This article will focus on the things that employers legally have to offer to you: reasonable accommodations, job supports, and access, which means you get the same job benefits as people without disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments to the hiring process, job functions, or the work environment that make it possible for qualified jobseekers or employees with disabilities to have equal access to employment and its benefits. This article will help you figure out what accommodations might help you and how you can let your employer know about your disability and request the accommodations you need.

There are also other types of job supports that are offered by other agencies, services providers, and organizations. Personal Assistance Services (PAS), job coaches, and vocational rehabilitation counselors all offer additional supports to people with disabilities to make sure that their transition to work and participation in the workforce is a success. This article will also give you information about these agencies, services providers, and organizations and will tell you how to apply for their services.