<< Back
Employment Rights and Job Retraining
Whether you are young or old, male or female, being employed is part of your lifestyle. You work to be productive, earn a living, support a family and contribute to society. Working can serve as a source of support, through positive relationships with co-workers, and also as a source of enrichment, through learning and applying knowledge while on the job.
You, like many other brain tumor survivors, may want to participate in the same activities as you did prior to receiving a brain tumor diagnosis. Often times, this means returning to the workforce.
Some brain tumor survivors may work in an environment with supportive co-workers and managers that promote job growth. On the other hand, some brain tumor survivors may feel like they are being treated unfairly or unjustly in the workplace. Some may have even been denied a job or career advancement due to the diagnosis of a brain tumor. In these particular situations, brain tumor survivors often feel hurt, angry and confused. In response to this need, this resource sheet was developed to help educate you about your legal rights as an employee. Thus, if you become more aware of your legal rights as an employee, you will become better equipped to advocate for yourself or even for a loved one.
Read more about Thriving at Work and/or about your Employment Rights as a brain tumor survivor.
For whatever reason (physical, emotional, or mental stress), some brain tumor survivors may not return to their prior place of employment. You may think to yourself, “What do I do now?” Therefore, we have also included some resources that can help you identify employment goals and help to structure job retraining programs to meet your specific needs.
Legal Rights and Advocacy
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (AAPD)
800-840-8844
www.aapd-dc.org/index.php
AAPD offers a comprehensive website for disability-related news and information. The website also includes a disability resources page which can be accessed from the homepage by clicking on the “Disability Resource” tab.
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA)
800-285-2221
www.abanet.org
For those needing to seek legal consultation or to find a qualified lawyer, the ABA can offer assistance with this. On the website homepage, there is a tab entitled, “Find Legal Help.” This will provide information on available legal services throughout the nation.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
ADA HOMEPAGE
800-514-0301
800-514-0383-TDD
www.ada.gov
The ADA website provides general ADA information and technical assistance materials. Publications can be downloaded through the website or ordered over the telephone. A free CD-Rom, which contains a collection of ADA materials, can also be ordered.
CANCER AND CAREERS
www.cancerandcareers.org
This website is aimed at working women with cancer. To locate information on legal rights, how to talk with co-workers/managers and filing for disability, click under “Women with Cancer,” which is found on the website homepage. The website can also be viewed in Spanish.
CANCER LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER
866-THE-CLRC or CLRC@LLS.edu
www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org/about/cancerlegalresource.cfm
The Cancer Legal Resource Center is a joint program of the Disability Rights Legal Center and the Loyola Law School. The center offers a toll-free national telephone assistance line which provides free and confidential information on cancer-related legal issues.
NATIONAL COALITION FOR CANCER SURVIVORSHIP
877-622-7937
www.canceradvocacy.org
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) is a survivor led cancer advocacy organization. The website provides information on employment rights which can be accessed on the home page under “Resources.” NCCS also provides a publication entitled, “Working it Out: Your Employment Rights as a Cancer Survivor.” This publication can be downloaded through the website or ordered over the telephone.
NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES
202-986-2600 or info@nationalpartnership.org
www.nationalpartnership.org
The National Partnership for Women & Families is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization which works to promote fairness in the workplace and meet the needs of women, men and their families. The website provides information on workplace discrimination, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
PATIENT ADVOCATE FOUNDATION (PAF)
800-532-5274 or help@patientadvocate.org
www.patientadvocate.org
The Patient Advocate Foundation is a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability. PAF case managers are available via telephone or email to answer questions. PAF publications on job discrimination and disability are also available. On the PAF website homepage, an informative section entitled, “Employment Related Issues” can be located under the heading, “Resources.”
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMMISION (U.S. EEOC)
800-669-4000
800-669-6820- TTY
www.eeoc.gov
The U.S. EEOC enforces federal laws that prohibit job discrimination. Live customer service representatives are available to offer assistance between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time and can speak in more than 150 different languages. An automated system with answers to frequently asked questions is available on a 24-hour basis.
The website also contains a listing of district offices and field, local or area offices within a particular jurisdiction. The U.S. EEOC provides publications that are offered in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese and Braille. Publications can be downloaded or printed directly from the website and/or can be ordered through their toll-free number.
Job Retraining
AMERICA’S CAREER INFONET
877-US2-JOBS
877-889-5627-TTY
www.acinet.org
This resource provides information on employment and job retraining programs. Interactive tools for career development as well as online job coaches are available.
DISABILITYINFO.GOV
www.disabilityinfo.gov
Provided through the federal government, this online resource website provides links for employees and job-seekers with disabilities.
EASTER SEALS DISABILITY SERVICES
800-221-6827
www.easterseals.com
Easter Seals works to assist children and adults with disabilities and their families. Many services are provided including job-training and employment goals.
JOB ACCOMMODATION NETWORK (JAN)
800-526-7234
877-781-9403- TTY
www.jan.wvu.edu
JAN is a service of the office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. JAN provides free consulting to increase the employability of individuals with disabilities. JAN educates callers about self-employment options and provides technical assistance regarding the ADA.
NATIONAL CENTER ON WORKFORCE AND DISABILITY/ADULT (NCWD)
888-886-9898- voice/TTY
www.onestops.info
NCWD provides information on job retraining, technical assistance and legal rights. In order to access more specific information, click on “Helping Customers Find Jobs" located on the website homepage.
NATIONAL DISSEMINATION CENTER FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES (NICHCY)
800-695-0285-V/TTY or nichcy@aed.org
www.nichcy.org
NICHCY’s services focus on the needs of youth from birth to age 22. On the website home page, click on “Resources in Every State” and choose the preferred state. A listing of educational and vocational services in the specified state will be provided. NICHCY also offers e-news and a resource center. The website can be viewed in Spanish by clicking on the En Español link.
OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY (ODEP)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
866-633-7365
877-889-5627- TTY
www.dol.gov/odep
ODEP focuses on developing and influencing disability related employment policy. The ODEP website includes publications, programs/initiatives, technical assistance, services and reports.
TICKET TO WORK
866-968-7842
866-833-2967- TTD
www.yourtickettowork.com
The Ticket to Work program is an employment program for Social Security Disability (SSD) beneficiaries. This program is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. A major goal of the program is to increase opportunities and choices for SSD beneficiaries. The website contains basic program information, an employment work directory and frequently asked questions.
ABTA Social Work Department
Our social workers are available by telephone and/or email to help answer questions or provide further assistance. Please contact us at 1-800-886-2282 or socialwork@abta.org if you have questions, comments or suggestions. We ancourage you to share your input with us!
The American Brain Tumor Association does not endorse any of the organizations and resources listed here, nor do we guarantee individuals will qualify for the services they provide. Please contact each organization for their specific guidelines.
This resource was made possible by a generous Social Work grant from the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation.
June, 2007
2720 River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: 847-827-9910
Fax: 847-827-9918
Toll-free Phone: 800-886-2282
E-mail: info@abta.org