dence. Work is the place where people with and without disabilities can come together, share common projects, and break down barriers of stereotype and prejudice.” Donna Malone, a person with a psy-
chiatric disability, related the beneficial effect of work: “I realized that working hard was a way that I could feel good about myself and no one could take it away.” After working successfully for a number of years at Land Air Express without incident, she was discharged while hospitalized due to her disability because her supervisor had a “gut feel- ing” that she was a “danger” and had to “look out for the safety of his other employees.” Following a lawsuit by the EEOC alleging failure to accommo- date and discriminatory termination under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the case was settled for $360,000. Similarly, Anupa Iyer, a law student
at the University of Seattle and cur- rently interning at the EEOC, said that “work was my salvation,” after being hospitalized for a psychiatric disability. However, at her places of employment, she endured ridicule and was stigma- tized, experiences which motivated her to enroll in law school. Tenesha Abbott, who has an intellec-
tual disability as well as learning dis- abilities, spoke of how her job at a local grocery store helps her “stay active and learn new things.” Through her work, she has improved her reading skills and is learning responsibility which she hopes will help her to live on her own. Her manager, Jack Eaton, related how pleased he was when employees with intellectual disabilities were able to move up to more complex jobs with greater responsibilities. He said that dealing with people’s individualized needs, as he does with employees with mental disabilities, makes him a better manager for all of his employees.
www.hnmagazine.com
“Our witnesses brought home the
fact that people with mental disabili- ties can work, and want to work, just like everyone else. And it’s a win-win situation when employers figure out how to tap that work potential,” said EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum. The EEOC enforces the nation’s
laws prohibiting employment dis- crimination. More information about
the EEOC and the Americans with Dis- abilities Act can be found the EEOC’s website at
www.eeoc.gov. Information about this meeting, including witness statements and a video of the event, can be found at
www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/ meetings/3-15-11/
index.cfm.
Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits
Anybody can become disabled. In fact, many of us do. In 2010, there were more than 8 million disabled workers. Today, a 20-year- old has a 30 percent chance of becoming disabled by retirement age. Fortunately, the federal government can help. The Social Security Administration offers benefits to people who become
disabled for long periods of time. The average monthly disability benefit check in 2010 was $1,065.
What is Considered a Disability The Social Security Administration defines disability as a physical, mental
or emotional medical condition that prevents an individual from working for more than 12 months. The disability can be caused by an injury or an illness. While there are some programs that offer benefits to individuals who are
partially disabled, Social Security only extends benefits to individuals who are completely disabled.
Who Qualifies for Disability Benefits People of any age can file for disability benefits. Social Security offers ben-
efits to children with disabilities through a program called Supplemental Se- curity Income, which does not consider the applicant’s work history. For adults, requirements can vary depending on their age but generally the agency looks at the following when considering an application: -- Time worked for most recent employer -- Whether the applicant has earned enough credits to qualify for Social Security benefits Social Security offers more information about who can get Social Security disability benefits on its website,
SSA.gov.
Source:
GobiernoUSA.gov and HispanicPRWire Celebrating 19 Years of Diversity HISPANIC NETWORK MAGAZINE 37
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