How to Keep Working

Arthritis is often cited as a barrier to continued employment and in fact is the leading cause of disability in the US today. The following resources on disability accommodation and work retention have been gathered from various sources and are not meant to exhaustive. Both individuals with arthritis and employers may find these helpful. Note that information and services offered by the U.S. government can all be found under one web site www.disability.gov

Please click on the arrows below to explore the resources available and get an idea of how to begin looking for support.

Job Accommodation/ Ergonomic Evaluation

Disability Employment-related Legal Rights

Employment Retention and Job Seekers

One Stop Career Centers
U.S. Gov. Department of Labor Career Resource Centers offer resources to job seekers, and counseling, outreach, education, and training. Site directs job seeker to local resources. Some centers have disability navigators who advise about health/disability-related employment issues.

1-877-348-0502
1-877-348-0501 TTY-87
http://www.careeronestop.org/ResourcesFor/WorkersWithDisabilities/workers-with-disabilities.aspx (click español in top right corner for translation)

Public Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Government funded programs provide vocational rehabilitation services. Vocational rehabilitation is services provided by certified Rehabilitation Counselors to persons with a disability or health condition to help the person find or keep a job. Examples of traditional services include comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of work potential; guidance and counseling to identify skills, limitations, aptitudes, adjustment problems and appropriate job goals; restorative treatment and equipment such as physical, occupational or speech therapy; skill training or education at schools, colleges, workshops, on-the-job training and supported work programs; vehicle and housing modifications; and job placement assistance including resume development, interviewing skills and job applications as well as follow-up.

To find your state’s public vocational rehabilitation program, go to
http://askjan.org/cgi-win/TypeQuery.exe?902

U.S. Government Department of Labor (DOL)/Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
The US Department of Labor includes Disability Resources on their website. The affiliated Office of Disability Employment Policy links to more resources, including current programs and policy

U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20210
1-866-4-USA-DOL, TTY: 1-877-889-5627
http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/disability/
www.dol.gov/odep/ (español )

National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD)

National Employment Statistics – this interactive map shows national and state-level statistics on employment among persons with disabilities
http://employmentfirst.leadcenter.org/

Starting a Business
Specialized resources exist for individuals with disabilities who want to start their own businesses or seek self-employment

U.S. Small Business Administration
https://www.sba.gov/content/people-with-disabilities (español )

Disability.gov’s Guide to Self-Employment and Starting a Small Business
https://www.disability.gov/resource/disability-govs-guide-self-employment-starting-small-business/

Additional Resources from Non-profit Advocacy Organizations

More for Employers

In addition to the resources found in other sections, use these sources to better understand your rights and responsibilities as an employer

ADA Business Connection
ADA.gov’s resource section for employers from the United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division

http://www.ada.gov/business.htm

Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN)
A resource that helps employers hire and retain employees with disabilities, funded by the US Department of Labor. Find resources for federal employers, contractors, and small businesses

http://www.dol.gov/odep/resources/EARN.htm

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
Operated by the federal government, JAN is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues, working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee

Employers’ Practical Guide to Reasonable Accommodation Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
http://askjan.org/Erguide/ (español )

JAN’s Accommodation and Compliance Series, a fact sheet for employers on hiring and accommodations for workers with disabilities
http://askjan.org/media/downloads/LowCostHighImpact.pdf (español )

Training modules – JAN has developed a large database of training modules from general to specific topics. Explore them using the site below
http://askjan.org/training/library.htm

Office on Disability and Employment Policy (ODEP)

ODEP’s main accommodations page, with information on providing reasonable workplace accommodation
https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/Accommodations.htm (español )

Some employers provide ergonomic or other job accommodation services to their employees. These may be provided through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Learn more about EAP’s with this pamphlet from the Office on Disability and Employment Policy (ODEP)
https://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/employeeassistance.pdf

Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)

Ergonomics info page – learn more about ergonomics in the workplace as it relates to musculoskeletal disorders
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

A Primer: Elements of Ergonomics Programs (Musculoskeletal) describes the basic elements of a workplace ergonomics program, including practical illustrations of ways to identify and evaluate hazards and begin identifying solutions
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-117/pdfs/97-117.pdf

US Small Business Administration
The SBA’s has developed this useful Guide to Hiring People with Disabilities for use by Human Resources

https://www.sba.gov/content/hiring-people-with-disabilities (español )