4 Things Disabled Americans Should Know About Returning to Work

This article is part of NTI@Home’s #WorkforceWednesday series, celebrating 30 years of the ADA by showcasing employment opportunities available for the 1 in 4 Americans with disabilities.

American with disabilities have more than double the unemployment rate of able-bodied Americans. In 2019, only 19.3% of the population of Americans with disabilities were employed; that number was 66.3% for able-bodied Americans, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic.

As a national nonprofit, NTI@Home has been placing Americans with disabilities back in the workplace. Here are some common misconceptions we’ve seen over the past 25 years about becoming employed as an individual with a disability.

1. You can keep your benefits until you’re self-sufficient. A vast majority of NTI@Home employees receive SSI and SSDI benefits from the federal government and supplement that income with part-time, at-home positions. Many even scale their employment over time, growing their hours and income so they don’t need to depend on disability benefits.

2. You can get free training and job placement support. NTI is funded by government programs, so our online training and job placement services are free to you. If you receive a job offer from one of our partners, that employer will pay you during your on-the-job-training. As in any job market, we can't guarantee you'll get hired; the employers make those decisions. But we'll help you get the right qualifications.

3. You can work from home and have a flexible schedule. NTI@Home partners with companies seeking remote call center agents for both full- and part-time positions, including evening and weekend shifts. Our partners understand the need for flexible schedules and have the customer demand to need call center coverage beyond traditional work hours. With hundreds of available jobs right now, you can find one that is right for you.

4. Your employment is good for business. Companies working with NTI@Home, receive Federal tax credits (WOTC) for full- or part-time employees. NTI agents find a home with the companies that hire them and they stay much longer than most able-bodied Americans. In the end, when companies use NTI@Home to fill customer services job needs, everybody wins.

For more details on opportunities to work remotely, visit NTIatHome.org and register for an informational webinar.