Disability Resources

When individuals experience disruptions due to injury, illness or declining health, timely and coordinated support can help them remain connected to their work. Retaining skilled employees is especially critical in today’s workforce shortage. In many cases, the cost of recruiting and training new employees exceeds the cost of helping current employees return to work, even if in a different capacity. With early coordination of support services and targeted training, individuals can continue contributing meaningfully to their organizations.

Resources:

• Your Work and Health Roadmap – A practical guide for individuals navigating work disruptions caused by recent or chronic health conditions.
• Healthcare Provider Form – A tool for healthcare providers to outline work restrictions and develop a return-to-work plan. Employees can bring this form to healthcare appointments to guide and support conversations about work readiness.
• Work as a Health Outcome – A field guide for medical and behavioral health professionals summarizing best practices for supporting patients in returning to work as soon as they are medically able. 
• RETAIN Evaluation – Mathematica’s study of the Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN), a U.S. Department of Labor and Social Security Administration demonstration that examined how early intervention strategies can help workers with new injuries or disabilities remain employed or return to work.
• RETAINWORKS Impact Study – A summary of outcomes from Kansas’ RETAINWORKS program, one of the eight state initiatives funded through the national RETAIN effort, which has now concluded. The study highlights reductions in Social Security disability applications and opioid prescriptions, along with increases in labor force attachment and earnings, demonstrating how early return‑to‑work and stay-at-work interventions shape workers’ employment and health trajectories.

The Ticket to Work program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 who want to work. The program is free and voluntary, and it helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence.

An Employment Network (EN) is an entity that enters into an agreement with the Social Security Administration (Social Security) to either provide or coordinate the delivery of services to Social Security disability beneficiaries. Ready to get started? KANSASWORKS is an approved EN to accept your “Ticket to Work.”

Get in touch with us to learn more or to get connected with an Employment Service Provider near you who can help you achieve your employment goals.

KANSASWORKS Employment Network

Website: choosework.ssa.gov
Phone: (785) 239-0405
Email: [email protected]

To help Kansas citizens with disabilities meet their employment goals, KRS offers a variety of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. VR services are the cornerstone of our efforts to empower Kansans with disabilities to become gainfully employed and self-sufficient. VR helps people with disabilities achieve employment and links businesses with qualified, productive employees to meet their workforce needs.

If you have a disability which impacts your ability to get or keep a job, you may want to apply for VR services. You can apply at the nearest Kansas Department for Children and Families (KDCF) office. Find the office serving your community here.

Website: dcf.ks.gov/services/RS/Pages/Employment-Services.aspx

Phone: (866) 213-9079
TDD: (800) 432-0698

The Job Accommodation Network (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, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace.

Website: askjan.org

Phone: (800) 526-7234

ADA provides employer resources on responsibilities, regulations, enforcement, etc.

Website: ada.gov

Phone: (800) 514-0301

The Great Plains ADA Center provides information, technical assistance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability laws to the Great Plains region.

Website: gpaadaproject.org
Phone: (573) 882-3600

Working Healthy offers people with disabilities who are working or interested in working the opportunity to get or keep Medicaid coverage while on the job. Through Working Healthy, people can earn more, save more, achieve their career goals and still maintain their health coverage.

Benefits specialists are available to discuss Working Healthy and provide benefits planning and analysis regarding the effects of earnings on cash (Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income) and medical benefits (Medicare and Medicaid).

Website: kdheks.gov/hcf/workinghealthy

This is an interactive map that provides links to information about Kansas transit provider agencies and the Coordinated Transit Districts to which they belong.

Website: https://kutc.ku.edu/map

Assistive Technology for Kansas (ATK) connects people with disabilities and health conditions of all ages with the assistive technology they need to learn, work, play and participate in community life safely and independently. ATK strives to improve access to and acquisition of assistive technology for individuals of all ages with disabilities and health conditions.

Website: atk.ku.edu
Phone: (800) 526-3648

K-LOAN was established and is directed by persons with disabilities. It is a consumer-run financial program founded to provide persons with disabilities and their families with access to financial resources toward acquiring assistive technology through education, saving and borrowing. The Kansas Assistive Technology Loan Program manages a low-interest loan program and a directed savings program. Highly individualized financial planning and credit restoration counseling is provided for persons with disabilities and their families through the program.

Website: k-loan.net
Phone: (866) 465-2826