July is Disability Pride Month, a month-long celebration to commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The landmark legislation was signed into law on July 26, 1990. It guarantees that people with disabilities can enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

The law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in schools, workplaces, transportation, and other spaces and places open to the public.

Our Ticket to Work program relates to the employment piece of the ADA. It celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year. President Bill Clinton signed the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 that created the program. The goal is to help more people with disabilities go to work, reach financial independence, and reduce or eliminate their need for benefits.

How the Ticket to Work program works

The free and voluntary program provides a “ticket” for help with career development to people who get benefits from one or both of our disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The “ticket” is available to people ages 18 to 64 who want to work.

Organizations throughout the country, called Employment Networks, provide the supports and services participants need to help them reach their work goals. Each person’s needs are different and may include training, job placement, and job coaching. Employment Networks can also help people search for jobs and understand how work will affect their benefits.

For decades, these important laws have improved the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities.

Where to find more information

To learn more about the Ticket to Work program, visit Choose Work for:

• Upcoming and past Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) webinars.
• An online tool to find Ticket to Work service providers.
• Answers to frequently asked questions.
• More helpful resources.

You can find additional information at The Work Site.