LOCAL DISABILITY COMMUNITY OBSERVES ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM IN ARIZONA

Advocates Reflect on Program Successes, Pledge Commitment to Challenges Ahead

PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL), the country’s first employment network to cash in a ticket under the Social Security Administration’s Federal “Ticket to Work” program, observed the one-year anniversary of the program with a pledge to continue its efforts on behalf of workers with disabilities. The “Ticket to Work” program, which debuted in February 2002, is designed to help Social Security Disability recipients leave the disability rolls and become self-supporting by accessing ABIL’s employment services. Beneficiaries receive the tickets from the Social Security Administration and give the ticket to a participating employment network such as ABIL in exchange for employment services. The Ticket allows Americans with disabilities to remain eligible for Medicare, the Federal health insurance plan, while maintaining employment.

Through its employment services unit, ABIL has provided job placement services and career guidance to over 900 ticket holders, resulting in over 150 individual work plans. ABIL’s success means that it was the first employment network in Arizona (and the nation) to successfully implement the “Ticket to Work” program.

Susan Webb, employment services director at ABIL, says it has been gratifying to assist ticket holders in their job search efforts. “The tickets give Arizonans with disabilities a whole new set of choices not available to them prior to 2002,” stated Webb. “The true beauty of this program is that it benefits not only ticket holders, but also employers and tax payers.”

 About Federal “Ticket to Work” Program

Enacted in 1999 by then-President Clinton, the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 was rolled out in 13 states during its initial phase in February 2002, including Arizona.

As part of the SSA’s overhaul of the disability system, and at the backing of Ariz. Rep. J.D. Hayworth, the Ticket to Work program grants disability recipients access to a range of training and support services, including job placement from local “employment networks”—federally-designated centers—such as ABIL. The Ticket Program is voluntary and offers recipients the chance to go to work without fear of losing their healthcare coverage.

About Arizona’s “AHCCCS Freedom to Work” Program

States such as Arizona may also continue providing healthcare coverage to working individuals with income up to 250 percent above the federal poverty level. This provision, known in Arizona as “AHCCCS Freedom to Work,” allows working adults with disabilities to maintain critical medical services such as prescription drug coverage and attendant care.  Arizona’s disability advocates are rallying around the “AHCCCS Freedom to Work” program, which is facing elimination for fiscal year 2004 – although the Governor’s budget includes funding for the important program.

“AHCCCS Freedom to Work is under fire just as the program gets off the ground,” said Donna Kruck, ABIL’s advocacy director. “Our legislature should be made aware that the program will enable hundreds of skilled Arizonans with disabilities to join the workforce, move towards self-sufficiency and eventually pay state taxes. The Freedom to Work program is a solution, not a problem, to balancing the budget.”
About Arizona Bridge to Independent Living

Established in 1981, ABIL advocates personal responsibility – by, and for, people with disabilities – as a means to independence. To help consumers achieve self-sufficiency, ABIL offers comprehensive programs including independent living skills instruction; information and referral; peer support; advocacy; home modification; ADA training and counsel; outreach to rehab centers & early intervention for newly disabled individuals; reintegration from nursing homes; employment services; Social Security work incentives; empowering youth in transition; personal assistant services and social recreational programs.   For more information on ABIL, visit www.abil.org. For a complete list employment networks in Arizona please visit www.yourtickettowork.com.