Employment Disabilities and Discrimination

Everyone in the U.S. (check the website for availability in your area)

2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Examples of service referrals include:

• Basic human need resources: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility assistance
• Physical and mental health resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, counseling, drug, and alcohol intervention
• Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs
• Support for older adults and persons with disabilities: home healthcare, adult daycare, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation, and homemaker services
• Support for children, youth, and families: childcare, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services
   

People affected by the diagnosis of cancer, their caregivers and health providers in the U.S.

To empower and educate people with cancer to thrive in their workplace by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events; to eliminate fear and uncertainty for working people with cancer.

• Offers a comprehensive website with information on a variety of work-related issues
• Free printed publications
• Career coaching
• Support groups and educational seminars for employees with cancer, their healthcare providers and co-workers
• Online comprehensive materials for healthcare professionals
• Resume review available online with career coaches
• Legal and career teleconferences
• In-Service Trainings for Health Care Providers (presented in conjunction with Triage Cancer)

People affected by cancer as well as community groups, employers and health professionals in the U.S.

To provide information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, health professionals, employers, and others coping with cancer.

• CLRC offers a national, toll-free telephone assistance line where callers can receive free and confidential information about relevant laws and resources for their particular situation. It is a program of the Disability Rights Legal Center, based in Los Angeles, CA.

• Provides free educational materials on its website, webinars, in-person workshops and trainings on cancer-related legal issues.

People with disabilities and their families

To develop and influence disability employment-related policies and practices; is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.

• Offers 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.

People in the U.S. with chronic, life-threatening and debilitating illnesses

To provide professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses.

• PAF Case Managers serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters as they relate to their diagnosis; may also be assisted by doctors and healthcare attorneys. PAF seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.
• Offers PAF authored publications and content, distributes booklets and publications
• Offers an annual scholarship program for survivors
• PAF Co-Pay Relief Program provides direct financial assistance to insured patients who meet certain qualifications to help them pay for the prescriptions and/or treatments they need. This assistance helps patients afford the out-of-pocket costs for these items that their insurance companies require. For details, call 866-512-3861.

People living with cancer or HIV/AIDS and their caregivers, health professionals

To provide people with a life challenging condition such as cancer or HIV/AIDS with all the practical, legal and financial information they need through the entire continuum after a diagnosis.

• Online resource for information about employment, insurance, finances, government programs, day to day living, medical care, planning ahead, emotional well-being.

Individuals receiving SSDI or SSI

The Ticket to Work program is for people receiving SSDI or SSI by helping them obtain employment services, rehabilitation services or other support services to achieve a vocational goal.

Cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and health professionals

To help navigate cancer survivorship from the point of diagnosis throughout life, by providing education on all types of cancer survivorship topics

• Offers free in-person and online educational events, a speakers bureau, and online educational materials and tools. Resources cover a wide array of topics including guides on reasonable accommodations, chemo brain, insurance, employment, finances, etc.

People in the U.S. who are employees or job applicants

EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

• Has the authority to investigate charges of discrimination against employers who are covered by the law
• Works to prevent discrimination before it occurs through outreach, education and technical assistance programs.