- If you need a refrigerator or freezer at work for your meds,
the Americans with Disabilities Act requires your employer to
provide one, as well as to make other reasonable accommodations
to allow you to do your job.
- If you don’t treat your disability like a big deal,
others won’t either.
- If you sign up for health insurance the first time it’s
offered you may not have to take a physical or worry about preexisting
conditions. (Call ACCESS before changing or quitting jobs. See
Chapter 13.)
- If you run into discrimination because of your PH, your union
can help fight for your rights.
As treatments improve, more of us will be able to work. The Ticket
to Work and Work Incentives Act of 1999 pays benefit planners
(who work for nonprofit groups or state agencies) to advise persons
who now receive Social Security disability benefits, but who want
to return to work. The planners will explain SSA’s work incentives,
how going back to work will affect your benefits, and what vocational
and rehabilitation and other support might be available. We suggest,
however, that you first contact the lawyers at ACCESS if you are
thinking of going back to work, and talk to them before you talk
to a benefit planner.
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