Selected by
American Library Association's Government Documents Round Table
as a notable document in 1999, the
Oklahoma Disability
Etiquette Handbook - ADA & Resources
has been revised in
2008 and is available to
view handbook online or in
hardcopy from the Office of Disability Concerns.
Workforce Investment Act/Ticket to Work
Former President Clinton signed the Ticket to Work and Work
Incentives Improvement Act on December 17, 1999. The Act was
designed to bring about positive change to the lives of individuals
with disabilities by providing them more choices in the training
and support they need to return to work.
Many SSI and SSDI Beneficiaries in Oklahoma have received a
Ticket to Work since the program began in February 2002. Those
SSI/SSDI recipients that have not received a Ticket to Work may
apply for one by calling Maximus at 866-968-7842. For more
information about this program visit these websites:
www.yourtickettowork.com and
www.ssa.gov/work
and the information below.
Benefits Advisors
To make informed decisions about how using the Ticket To Work
will affect your SSI or SSDI benefits contact:
University of Oklahoma College
106 Constitution, Building 158
Norman, OK 73072
405-325-4913
866-325-5913
Progressive Independence
121 N. Porter
Norman, Ok 73071
405-321-3203
Ability Resources
110 S. Hartford, Suite 115
Tulsa, OK 74120
918-592-1235
800-722-0886
To find Employment Networks for Oklahoma visit:
www.yourtickettowork.com
If you need assistance in resolving a complaint regarding the
quality or timeliness of services you received from your Employment
Network provider, you have two choices:
1) You may pursue the matter by having a family member or a
private lawyer (whom you hire at your expense) represent you; or
2) You may use the services of a Protection and Advocacy
Organization at no cost to you.
(a) If your complaint concerns the Department of Rehabilitation
Services as your Employment Network provider, you may contact:
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
Office of Disability Concerns
2401 NW 23rd, Ste 90
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73107
405-321-3756
800-522-8224
Email: CAP@OHC.State.ok.us
Or you may contact:
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security
(PABSS)
Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc.
2915 Classen
Blvd., Suite 300
Oklahoma city, OK 73106
405-525-7755
800-880-7755
Email: odlcokc@flash.net
(b) If you have a complaint about any other Employment Network,
contact:
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security
(PABSS)
Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc.
2915 Classen
Blvd., Suite 300
Oklahoma city, OK 73106
405-525-7755
800-880-7755
Email: odlcokc@flash.net
Frequently Asked Questions about the program are answered at:
www.yourtickettowork.com/th_faqs
The Work
Opportunity Tax Credit
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit, (WOTC) provides financial
incentives to employers to hire job seekers from 9 categories.
These categories include long-term TANF recipient and other TANF
recipients, Veterans, Vocational Rehabilitation, referral,
ex-felon, SSI recipients, and 18-39 year old food stamp
recipients. This list also includes 18-24 year old EZ/EC/RC
residents, individuals who live in an Empowerment Zone,(EZ)
Enterprise Community, (EC), and Renewal Community, (RC).
Teenagers, 16-17 years of age are included as well to work for
an employer between May 1st and September 15th and lives in an
Empowerment Zone,(EZ), Enterprise Community, (EC) or Renewal
Community,(RC). The (WOTC) is based on qualified wages paid to
the employee for the first year. Qualified wages are capped at
$6,000. The credit is 25% of qualified first year wages for
individuals employed at least 120 hours but fewer than 400 hours
and 40% for those employed 400 hours or more.
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include youth for summer
employment wages are capped at $3,000 for 16 to 17 year olds
working for a 90 day period between May 1 and September 15th.
For Long term TANF recipients wages are capped at $10,000. The (WOTC)
is available for employee's qualified second-year wages which is
also capped at $10,000. The credit provided is 50% of qualified
wages for the second year of employment.
To learn more about this program, you can contact your state (WOTC)
coordinator, Jeanne Pectol at (405)557-5371 or you email her at
jeanne.pectol@oesc.state.ok.us. To learn more about about
other employer related services such as training and assistance
for workers affected by layoffs, you can call toll free help
line at 1-877-872-5627. TTY: 1-877-889-5627 or visit the (WOTC)
website at
http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce. For tax related
questions, contact Internal Revenue Service,(IRS)at
202-622-6080.
The Job Accommodation Network
A service of the President’s Committee on Employment of People
with Disabilities, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is an
international consulting service that provides information about
job accommodations and the employability of people with
disabilities. Call Jan’s Toll Free number Voice/TDD 1-800-526-7234
and talk to a consultant about your need to provide an
accommodation. Web site:
http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/english/homeus.htm.
Videotape Lending Library
The Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with
disabilities maintains a small video lending library for public
use. These tapes may be checked out for two to three weeks, at no
charge, by contacting Peppi Boudreau. We can mail tapes, however when
its convenient, we suggest that you pick them up at the Office of
Disability Concerns, 2401 NW 23rd, Ste 90 in Shepherd Mall.
 | "The ADA: New Access to the Workplace" Length, 39
min.; source, Cornet/MTI films, 108 Wilmot Road, Deerfield,
Illinois 60015, 1-800-777-2400. Open caption available. This
video explains Title I of the ADA. Dispels myths about hiring
people with disabilities. Gives examples of Reasonable
Accommodations. Focuses on good interviewing techniques and who
is protected under the Act. Public domain, no. |
| "ADA: Facts and Fears" Length, 42 min; source, Cynthia
Kay/Wayne Glitz film and Video, Inc. 214 East Fulton, Grand
Rapids, MI 49503, (616) 776-0354; open captioned. This video has
three modules. Module I explains the origin of ADA, its key terms
and effective dates. Module II- MAKING IT WORK- highlights three
company case studies. Module III TIPS gives some steps businesses
can take right away for little cost to meet their obligations. |
| "The Ten Commandments of Communicating with People with
Disabilities" Length 26 min. Source, call 1-800-543-2119.
This is a highly entertaining video that serves as a wonderful
guide to "disability etiquette" and effective communication.
Appropriate for both large and small employers. Has both closed
and open caption. Public domain, no. |
| "Reaching for a Dream" Length, 28.5 min.; source,
United Church of Christ, Office of Communication, Reaching for A
Dream, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100, or call
216-736-2222; open caption. This video tells the story of six
people who must combat the "double whammy" of prejudice based on
disability and race. This video is for organizations who want to
inform others about the experiences of people with disabilities
especially those who are people of color. |
| "Accommodating Employees and Job Applicants with
Psychiatric Disabilities in the Workplace", Length, 30 min.;
source, People with Disabilities Foundation. This video provides
information and scenarios about accommodating common disorders
for individuals with Depression, Anxiety, Chemical Dependency,
Psychiatric Expressive Communication Disorder and Manic
Depressive and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. |
