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#1 (permalink) |
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Premium Member
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 7,358
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I do not know if it was hoax annoucement in my email. I do not see or heard anything from the news or media.
Did you heard about this ?? ~ Sabrina --------------------------------------------------------- WRAD ADVOCACY DIVISION ANNOUNCEMENT IMPORTANT NEWS FOR PHYSICALLY DEAF PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS FROM THE UNITED STATES SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Several years ago, President George W. Bush began a new program through the United States Social Security Administration (SSA), which is called the "Ticket to Work" program. It is VERY important for ALL physically deaf and hard of hearing people to FULLY understand this new "Ticket to Work" program. The program has already started in many states in the USA. For information on which states already started their Ticket to Work program, go to http://www.ssa.gov/work/Ticket/ticket_info.html ** NOTICE TO PHYSICALLY DEAF PEOPLE RECEIVING SSA BENEFITS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ** You will start YOUR Ticket to Work program beginning in November, 2003 -- two months from now. ** WHAT IS THE SSA "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM? ** Basically, it is an effort by the United States government to tell disabled people, including physically deaf people, WHO CAN WORK... "Stop sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself... GO TO WORK!" The goal of the Ticket to Work is to help you go to work, or to go back to work, or to help you earn more money if you are already working. To help you succeed in the program, SSA provides several incentives (extra assistance) to you. ** WHAT KINDS OF EXTRA ASSISTANCE DOES SSA GIVE TO PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM? ** First, your Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cash benefits MIGHT continue while you work, depending on your earnings (if your work income is too high, your benefits might stop, but by that time, you wouldn't need government benefits anyway). Second, if you are receiving Social Security Disability INSURANCE benefits (SSDI); or Social Security Disability INSURANCE Disabled Adult Child benefits (SSDAC, if you are getting your benefits because your parent was disabled and is now retired or deceased); then your Medicare health insurance [your MEDICARE card is the paper card with the red, white and blue stripes on it] MIGHT continue for at least eight and one-half years after you start to work if you are still disabled and if your work income is low. Third, if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or if you are a "Pickle Amendment" recipient, your Medicaid [your MEDICAID card is issued by your State and County, not by SSA -- it is also called MEDI-CAL in California] also MIGHT continue, depending on the state in which you live and the amount of your earnings. Finally, while you are making good progress in your Ticket to Work program, SSA will not review your medical condition to see if you are still disabled. (If SSA begns a disability review before you start your Ticket to Work program, this doesn't count -- SSA will continue to review your disabilities anyway).
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#2 (permalink) |
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Premium Member
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 7,358
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con't
If you DO NOT make good progress in your Ticket to Work program, or if
you REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE in the Ticket to Work program, THEN SSA WILL DEFINITELY review your medical condition to see if you are still "much too disabled to work in any kind of regular job." ** HERE IS THE TIME SCHEDULE FOR ALL DISABLED PEOPLE, INCLUDING DEAF PEOPLE, WHO ARE IN THE TICKET TO WORK PROGRAM ** 1.) You will get a "Ticket to Work" document in the mail. 2.) You take your "Ticket to Work" document to your nearest local "Employment Network" office (you will get a list in the mail), OR to your Department of Rehabilitation office. You will work with an Employment Counselor. Your Employment Counselor will help you develop an Employment Plan, so you can go to work. Your Employment Counselor will review your progress in achieving your goals for your Employment Plan. 4.) ATTENTION!! HERE IS THE NEW PART OF THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM -- YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYMENT COUNSELOR WILL NOW BE SUPERVISED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL! A national company called MAXIMUS, Inc., under contract from SSA, will REVIEW YOUR PROGRESS in your Employment Plan after two years. After that, they will review your Employment Plan every year. The National Government WILL BE WATCHING YOU from now on. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR DEAF AND DISABLED PEOPLE IN THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM? It means that you MUST follow ALL of the requirements of your Employment Counselor and your Employment Plan. Your Employment Counselor (including your Rehab. Counselor) CANNOT let you have ANY flexibility or "special privileges" in your Employment Plan. If you need further education to go to work, you will still have ONLY TWO YEARS to begin working. If you are in a FULL-TIME course of studies at your educational institution, you will BE REQUIRED to work for at least three months during your THIRD year in the "Ticket to Work" program, AND at least six months in your FOURTH year of your "Ticket to Work" program. You also must have an Employment Plan that gives you the abilities to get a REAL FULL-TIME JOB IN GENERAL SOCIETY. ** WHAT HAPPENS IN THE THIRD YEAR? ** The people at MAXIMUS, Inc. will INVESTIGATE your progress after the first two years. In the third year of your participation, you MUST WORK IN A REGULAR JOB for at least three months. (This can be a "summer job" if you are a full-time student). ** WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FOURTH YEAR? ** In the fourth year, you MUST WORK IN A REGULAR JOB for at least six months. ** WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FIFTH YEAR? ** Starting in the fifth year, you MUST WORK IN A REGULAR FULL-TIME JOB for at least six months, AND you MUST earn enough money to COMPLETELY STOP your SSDI and/or SSI benefits. ** WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM, OR IF YOU DON'T MEET THE GOALS OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT PLAN ON TIME OR PROPERLY? ** MAXIMUS, Inc. will send you a decision that you are "not making good progress" in your Employment Plan. They will also send this report to SSA. ** WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THE DECISION BY MAXIMUS, INC.? ** If you disagree with MAXIMUS' decision, you can ask SSA to review their decision about your disability, but you only have THIRTY DAYS to ask SSA for a review of the MAXIMUS, Inc. decision. If you ask SSA for a review of the MAXIMUS, Inc. decision, then SSA will begin an IMMEDIATE and very thorough and complete medical review, to see if you are REALLY "too disabled to work" AT ALL. Your doctor(s) will really need to prove that you are too disabled to work in ANY job, which is very difficult to prove for most deaf and hard of hearing people. ** WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET LAID OFF OR FIRED FROM A JOB WHILE YOU ARE ON THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM? ** If your benefits stop while you are working on the "Ticket to Work" program, and then you get fired or laid off, you go back to your local SSA office and apply again to get government benefits. SSA can re-start your government benefits again quickly when your income gets lower, or if your work stops. ** HOW MUCH MONEY DO I NEED TO EARN FROM WORK IN YEAR 5 OF THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM TO STOP MY GOVERNMENT BENEFITS? ** Contact MAXIMUS, Inc. and ask them to tell you the "Substantial Gainful Employment" amount of work income (this amount changes each year). ** WILL I RECEIVE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MY DISABILITY OR DISABILITIES WHILE I AM WORKING ON THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM? ** DEFINITELY YES! ALL employers are required to comply with the ADA, and all other laws for deaf and disabled employees. HOWEVER -- you need to remember that NO employer is "required" to give YOU a full-time job and also give you a "full-time communication assistant." You will NOT have an "ASL Interpreter" with you "all the time" when you are working. You WILL NEED to find YOUR OWN other ways of communicating effectively with BOTH hearing and any other deaf/hh people who happen to be working where you are working. ** WHAT HAPPENS IF MY ENGLISH LEVEL IS TOO LOW FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I WRITE? ** Go IMMEDIATELY back to your local community college and take English classes. ** WHAT HAPPENS IF MY SPEECH IS NOT CLEAR AND NO ONE UNDERSTANDS ME WHEN I AM SPEAKING TO THEM? ** This isn't a problem. The people who work with you are REQUIRED to write notes with you whenever necessary. [If your English writing is so bad that no one understands you clearly when you write notes to them, or if people misunderstand what you write to them, then go back to your local community college and learn how to write better in standard English] ** CAN I WORK FOR A COMPANY, ORGANIZATION OR AGENCY THAT HIRES ONLY (OR MOSTLY) DEAF PEOPLE? ** Yes, IF the income from that job is high enough, and IF the work benefits are good enough, and IF there are OPEN job positions. These types of jobs are called "Sheltered Workshop" jobs, and they usually do not have the same opportunities for income, benefits and promotion as similar jobs in general society. There are also very few of these types of jobs available. ** WHY DOES THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE SSA WANT DEAF PEOPLE TO GO TO WORK? ** Because most deaf people CAN work. That's why. The government and the taxpayers have noticed that a lot of deaf people have a "Poverty Mentality" -- they want to stay on government benefits "forever," instead of having better incomes and better futures. Many deaf people are "scared" of going to work (for no good reason). The SSA set up the "Ticket to Work" program so disabled people, including deaf people, will not be "scared" to go to work. There is a good "Safety Net" in place, so that deaf and disabled people CAN go to work, and they DO NOT NEED to be "afraid" of losing their government benefits, until the time comes when they do not need government benefits anymore. SSA does not want deaf people or disabled people to be "dependent on government benefits" forever. If a person CAN work, then the person SHOULD work. Work gives MUCH better benefits than sitting at home and living on government benefits. ** WHAT IF I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHO I AM FOR "WORK PURPOSES" AND IF I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF JOB I WANT TO DO FOR WORK? ** WRAD CAN HELP YOU! Many deaf people go to a Rehabilitation Counselor with NO IDEA about what they want to do for their education OR for their future job. As a result, the Rehabiliation Counselors often put deaf people into the WRONG education and/or the WRONG kinds of jobs. This is frustrating for everyone. WRAD has NOW set up a way for you to take a very simple Career Survey, which will give you a report to take to your Rehabilitation Counselor about what you SHOULD be doing for your education and your future job and career. This makes everything a LOT easier when you are creating your Employment Plan with your Employment Counselor. The WRAD Career Survey is very simple -- all you need to write are the numbers "O, 1, and 2" and to make a few "X" marks. That's all! The WRAD Career Survey is NOT "computerized" -- it is assessed for every individual personally, and it does not tell you "what you should do for work" -- the Career Survey LISTENS TO YOU about what YOU want to do for work. It is very different than the "Career Surveys" you get in high school. If you want to take the WRAD Career Survey, send a check for $25.00 to WRAD, Inc., Education Division, P.O. Box 3211, Quartz Hill, CA 93586. Make your check payable to "WRAD, Inc." Put a note on your check "For: WRAD Career Survey." [NOTE TO HEARING AND HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE WHO ARE READING THIS MESSAGE: If you want to take the WRAD Career Survey, and receive your own report, you are very welcome to do so -- just follow the instructions above!] ** FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM ** If you have questions about the Ticket to Work program, you should call the Ticket Program Manager, MAXIMUS Inc., at 1-866-968-7842 (TTY 1-866-833-2967). [NOTE: DO NOT CALL OR VISIT AN SSA OFFICE TO FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM -- THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM IS RUN BY MAXIMUS, INC., SO CALL MAXIMUS, INC. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE "TICKET TO WORK" PROGRAM] For information about other types of work incentives (benefits you get because you go to work) from SSA, read the website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work. You also can request a copy of the SSA brochure, "Working While Disabled: How We Can Help," by calling the toll-free SSA number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or you can get a copy of this publication from your local SSA office.
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![]() Enjoy the Autumn time as much as we can. The foliage are such beautiful in Vermont and New Hampshire. |
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#3 (permalink) |
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I am darts player
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Mile High City
Posts: 1,902
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Sorry to say that to everybody whoever is on long time ssa (ssi/ssdi) but i have to say !! I am glad that it get everybody to work !!!!! It is better to have a job than depend on the goverment money which is so such sucks to have ssa incomes stuffs ... for disable ppl who isn't able to do for real ... I can understand this .. wish everybody best luck to get round the corner to reach the goals ! so many friends of mine doesn't believe my story long time ago that i have been warn them that someday these would be happen so here it is !! I hope it will wake them up ...
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#6 (permalink) |
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So NOT a Princess!
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Hey Freaky, quit ragging on those Deafies who are on Disabilty!
At least deafness is a more legitimate disablity then for example a "bad back" or drug/alchohol abuse or "ADD" (not legitimate ADD but the kind of "ADD" that's actually bad parenting or a parent claiming that a child has it in order to get benifits) Besides, reseach has shown that 80% of those who are on Disabilty WANT to work! It's just that they can't work and make enough money for both medical and basic living expenses! Even hearing and able-bodied folks have trouble with health care costs! Have you missed reading the news in the past few years? I would think that most deaf/hoh folk on disabilty are NOT Deaf, as they don't need to rely on technology in order to function in day to day life! Most deaf/hoh on disabilty are people who need Medicaid for things like hearing aids or CIs or CI re/habilitation. Those who are Deaf and on SSI/Disabilty are probaly multihandicapped/have multiple medical issues. (and it's OK for those people to be on SSI/Disabilty) |
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#7 (permalink) | |
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Guest
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#8 (permalink) |
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my cute fish of the year!
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about time this has started.. i'm tired of paying high taxes.. most of those taxes go to SSI/SSA/SSDI and other welfare programs..
I have seen many deafies who are on SSI just sit home all day long doing nothing.. having fun drinking, smoking, etc.. Taking advantage is I've seen blind guy working his ass off at mc donalds before.. i'm impressed he did it well.. why can't deafies do that? in fact, if u deafies get SSI.. working at mc donalds will earn more money than u are making in SSI.. I agree with freaky.. i have seen blind/deaf really successful getting a VERY good job.. one of my friend deaf/blind is english TEACHER! So you can do it too ![]() another thing.. I subscribe "Deaf Success Magazine" it might be good magazine for u to read if u think deaf can't work.. This magazine shocked me a little bit.. they're mostly about Deaf people who are working that most people believe deaf can't do that job.. for example National Guard, and so on... if you are instering in it.. web site is www.deafsuccess.com
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![]() Nucleus Freedom 04/18/05 activiated 05/16/05 |
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#9 (permalink) | |
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Premium Member
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 7,358
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Quote:
Otherwise, some of Deaf people are LAZY did not try very hard to find the job. It considers for them to go back to work. I can see many agencies turn down Deaf people's application due to expensive to spend on ASL interpreters. I know, several of my friends who have BA or BS degrees. They applied more than 30, only one asked for an interview. Then, they select someone else. It cause them very discourage and depress. They work very hard to get their College degrees. I believe, this annoucement is hoax or not since I never heard anything from the news or newspaper. It is very perplexed me why would they point their fingers at the Deaf people ?? ~ Sabrina
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#10 (permalink) |
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my cute fish of the year!
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well.. i can be hoax or not.. but, many people didn't hear on news or read newspaper about new laws plan to set. etc.. i think there's a website you can research on it.. i dunno the website but try the search engine.
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![]() Nucleus Freedom 04/18/05 activiated 05/16/05 |
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#11 (permalink) |
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Premium Member
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 7,358
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I called SSA Office
They said, " We have no been told anything of that nature. The email is ABSOLUATELY hoax since we never heard anyhing from the Congressmen or President Bush determination".
That does not sound right the ticket to work program is a toll being used to encourage employeers to hire disabled people. It does not require them to have to go back to work.
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![]() Enjoy the Autumn time as much as we can. The foliage are such beautiful in Vermont and New Hampshire. |
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#12 (permalink) |
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my cute fish of the year!
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well.. it can be true.. because i know other welfare programs.. require those who earns welfare must look for job..
and i was told from MA agency.. they told me that must look for a job in order to keep MA..soo.... probally it's true.. i'm hoping so.. so our taxes will be reduced, or they can spend on something else that WE USA REALLY NEED.
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![]() Nucleus Freedom 04/18/05 activiated 05/16/05 |
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#13 (permalink) | |
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Only me
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: St Augustine, FL
Posts: 3,643
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Quote:
I understood Freaky loud and clear. Don't count your eggs before they hatch, so you won't end up with a foot in your mouth next time I worked hard, and never had SSI when I was living in USA. However when I moved to Norway, I saw a strong need to receive unemployment since I wasn't being allowed to work until I complete my language class there. We would go hungry if I didn't get my Norweigan "SSI." I do feel terrible for the norwegian taxpayers... and do take every effort to speed up the process, taking the initative, etc. It's a very humbling experience for me, having been very independent for years.. altho my hubby says he's just getting his money back from the govt. LOL! In short, there's a difference between having real needs and just dallying around. Are you being real with yourself and with the taxpayers who are paying your rent and food? |
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#14 (permalink) |
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aka KaTziE
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 4,461
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I was on SSI for several years while I was in college. I got a decent job after I graduated and SSI told me that I had to pay it all back and gladly I did. I wouldn't have completed school and where I was living if it wasn't for SSI, but thing is I *paid* all of it back. I've seen some people who got jobs manage to get away without paying them back and that irritates me. Funny thing is, several years after working, SSI called me and told me that based on my pay I needed to get on medicare! I said, sheesh go away and I don't even need it! I'm fine without the government's help! Though I thought my pay was pretty good at the time. Don't know what they're thinking?
Anyhow... I fully agree with Freaky and Liza's comment... I know life isn't a bowl of cherries, but damn I'm working hard for you...
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#15 (permalink) | |
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I am darts player
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Mile High City
Posts: 1,902
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#16 (permalink) | |
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So NOT a Princess!
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Yes, I am on SSI/Disabilty. However I am severe/multiple disabled. ( HOH, plus hypotonia, seizures, learning disabilty, social and emoitional delays, and depression as well as other things which I've probaly forgotten. My medical file is taller then your average toddler! ) I mean I totally see what you're saying....there are some idoit slackers out there (Oh, I'm deaf...I can't do anything...boohoo!) but on the other hand there are idoit slackers in almost every form of social welfare and in almost any and every minority (my friend Mo who is black gets ragged on by the black community b/c he "acts too white" and isn't on welfare or a drug dealer) My mom is a social worker and can tell you horror stories that are enough to make you go Republican! I am also hoping to get off of Disabilty when I am done with school.(unsure when that will be as I'm thinking of going for a Ph.D) School expenses are a large part of the reason why I am on Disabilty.(also the fact that my parents insurance doesn't cover analog hearing aids. Since I am mostly oral I can't function without my aids) My parents make too much money to qualify for financal aid. I get more financal aid if the government only counts my income. Also this way, I'm on Medicaid and can get my hearing aids paid for without paying out of pocket!
Quote:
I mean I don't approve of perfectly able-bodied people sitting around the house and drinking alchohol and smoking pot instead of working. However from what it sounds like, a lot of those slackers would be slackers anyway even if they were hearing! It sounds like they are just using their deafness as an excuse! |
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#17 (permalink) |
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You got Gonged!
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Oh man the whole SSI/SSDI and Deafies debate go on and on.....
I work work work 2 jobs and hadnt been on SSI since almost 8 years and I feel better for it until now...... I find myself with a daughter born with spina bifida that is going to make being deaf look like a BARGAIN when the costs of raising her adds up compared to raising a deaf kid. I havent decided if I should get her SSI but I would be feeling guilty myself. She's going to face a lot of challenges ahead of her (learning to walk, extra medical problems, job discrimination, etc.) and its pretty going to be killing my finances. Having her on SSI as she grows up....its giving me a guilty feeling despite the fact I gotta work 2 jobs right now until the wife returns to work. Im trying to plan ahead for Little Annika...seeing that she be prepared for life without SSI after she graduates out of college and finds a job for herself. |
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#18 (permalink) |
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Wacky Oddball
![]() Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Moon
Posts: 3,132
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I got information from WRAD about Ticket to Work. Well, Bruce Gross tends to scare people by using "enforcing" words. Also, his email turned me off as well. He mentioned that if Deafies don't able to write good English, then go back to college to learn English. I know a several of Deafies could not able to write for various reasons. I heard an interesting story about an Asian American Deaf guy emigrated here from other country (maybe China?). He went to Toolworks in SF for jobs. Toolworks serve Deaf Developed Delay people or Deaf people with minimal language skills. Anyway, the Deaf man has no language (either Chinese or ASL) at all, but he can use gestures to communicate with his hearing co workers. They love him and praise him for his hard working efforts. What does he do? He is working construction! He has no language skills, no knowledge of English language, not even ASL...see, he got a job with construction company and loves to work. That's why I RME at Bruce Gross's judgemental statements. Do not get frightened by his words, ok.
I did research it on ssa website myself and emailed someone who works for Ticket to Work system. I got email from him that Ticket to Work is OPTIONAL, not a MUST. I understand some Deaf people struggle to find jobs regardless of salary incomes because they face challenges, discrimination, and oppression while they have endless job searchings. Even though they WANT TO WORK, but they know that it might be very impossible for them to get jobs in jiffy minute. Remember, it is not easy for EVERYONE. I admit that I use SSDI since February 2002 because I could not find a part time job to pay the apartment rent in SF (I stopped using SSI in 1994). It helps me with some expenses for a while until I will seek a permanent job after graduation next year. Overall, I will wean off SSDI and has a serious job to pay off my damn college loan debts and provide me shelter, food, and transportation. Remember, Ticket to Work is an OPTIONAL. It is up to Deafies to work or not. |
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#19 (permalink) | |
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I am darts player
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Mile High City
Posts: 1,902
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#21 (permalink) |
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Wacky Oddball
![]() Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Moon
Posts: 3,132
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Sighs. I said some of Deaf people can get jobs whereas other Deafies have hard time finding jobs where they face discrimination from hearing people. It is not easy for everyone.
Ok, you have to think realistically... do you think the company WILL hire individuals with SEVERE disabilities (regardless of deafness or hearing)which could not function very well? Not all of companies are willing to hire them. People with severe disabilities may seek jobs through vocational rehabilitation or other agencies. It is still a common problem we face everyday. |
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#22 (permalink) | |
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Az Monsoon Summer Lover!
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Tucson
Posts: 4,102
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Boult I.T.M.F.A.I am a CI Borg, Proud to be and loving it!MYTHS AND LIES ABOUT CI / New Chat Rooms Social / Internet Explorer Users: Switch to Safari / Get a Mac Quote:
Last edited by Boult; 09-29-2003 at 06:48 PM. |
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