You’re motivated, have unique skills, and know you’d be a great asset to the right employer. Those are excellent qualities that will take you far. If you have a disability, you may have a few more things to think through than the typical job seeker.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many resources are available in Wisconsin to help you find answers to these questions as you think about working. Here are just a few.
Connect with a Qualified Benefits Specialist
In many cases, people who receive disability benefits can work, keep necessary cash and healthcare benefits, and still take home more money than if they weren’t working. Even so, the fear of losing benefits stops many people with disabilities from seeking work.
Disability benefits are complicated, and each person’s situation is unique. If you receive disability benefits and are thinking about work, it’s important that you work with a benefits specialist qualified to understand how working will affect your situation and identify work incentives to help you achieve your job goals.
ERI’s Benefits and Employment Counseling Services
ERI provides benefits and employment counseling to empower people to make informed choices about working.
Work Incentives Benefits Specialist Association
The Work Incentives Benefit Specialist Association seeks to ensure that people with disabilities are receiving high quality benefits counseling services throughout the state of Wisconsin. Contact them with any questions or concerns you may have or for more information.
Ticket to Work Help Line
For general information about work incentives, contact the Ticket to Work Help Line: 1-866-968-7842 1-866-833-2967 TTY www.choosework.net
Explore if Assistive Technology Could Change Your Abilities
Assistive technology is any product or device that enables people with disabilities improve their independence and quality of life in the community, at home, at work, and at school.
Wisconsin’s Assistive Technology Program
WisTech gives information on selecting, funding, installing and using assistive technology. Contact them to learn if assistive technology could help you in your job search or in the workplace.
Know Your Transportation Options
“Do you have reliable transportation?” is a question you may be asked during an interview. That’s an easy question to answer if you own your own vehicle and it runs well. But the answer is a little trickier if you depend on public transportation or friends and family for transportation.
If you need assistance with transportation, get to know your transportation options:
Public Transportation Systems in Wisconsin
Learn your options for public transportation in your community. Getting Around Wisconsin Without a Car: A Public Transportation Guide gives information about public transportation options in Wisconsin cities.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
ADRCs are friendly, welcoming places where you can go for information about living with a disability. Services can be provided at the ADRC office, by telephone, or through a home visit, whichever is more convenient to you. Find the Aging and Disability Resource Center in your area.
Disability Rights Wisconsin
If you need more support to access transportation, contact Disability Rights Wisconsin. They provide information, referral, advice, investigation, and in select cases, legal representation to assist people with disabilities in securing equal opportunity to transportation.
Get Help Writing Your Resume
Summarizing who you are and what you’re capable of can be intimidating, especially when you have a disability. We help people with their resumes as part of our employment services. You can also get help with writing your resume online, and in many cases within your community:
CareerOneStop
Visit the CareerOneStop website to get online resume writing resources and to learn what other resources may be available in your community.
Job Center of Wisconsin
Contact the Job Center of Wisconsin in your area to get online resume writing resources and to learn what other resources may be available in your community.
Your motivation, unique skills, and belief in yourself will take you far as you search for the job that’s right for you. We hope these resources help as well!