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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

Redefining Social Security’s Definition of Disability: Why People of All Ages Should Get Engaged

By Emily Ladau, CareerACCESS Intern

Social Security policy reform is critical as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

CareerACCESS logo - Career ACESSYoung adults with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits face serious dilemmas navigating their world: they can either pursue a successful career and lose all support from SSI/SSDI, or remain on SSI/SSDI and lose opportunities to find lucrative work.

If you’re tired of unfair policy barriers directed at people with disabilities, this is your time to be part of the advocacy to make change!

CareerACCESS Now!

CareerACCESS, a grassroots initiative supported by NCIL, will be holding a forum:

Reforming Social Security’s Definition of Disability

July 27, 2015; 1:00 p.m.
Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C., Main Ballroom
NCIL’s Annual Conference on Independent Living

We need the ADA generation, this country’s workforce, to be there to speak out!

We must modernize current Social Security policies for people like Kathleen, a young woman about to graduate college who is concerned about finding employment while maintaining financial support to keep the personal care attendants she needs to go about daily life. We must continue our activism for people like Derek, who has experienced several roadblocks on his path to a career due to SSI/SSDI.

It is up to people of all ages to support the ADA generation of the disability community so we can all thrive. This is why we need you at our forum!

Showing your support for Social Security SSDI Reform and CareerACCESS will be a huge step in the right direction for positive Social Security reforms.

CareerACCESS is a proposed program of reforms to the Social Security Administration’s Supplemental Security Income Program to provide services and supports to propel youth into careers, enable them to build assets, and allow them to keep their disability benefits when they develop careers. The young adult drives their own individual career plan with access to coaching, counseling, and employment support services.

What do we want? CareerACCESS! When do we want it? Now!

Join the ADA Generation hosting this forum. For more information, see the Facebook event page and visit the CareerACCESS website at www.ourcareeraccess.org.

The United States owes it to all generations to make it possible for people with disabilities to have equal opportunities to thrive!