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June is Employment Rights Helpline Month

Equip for Equality’s
Employment Rights Helpline Turns Two

Your support makes all the difference!

With a grant from the Chicago Community Trust Searle Funds, Equip for Equality launched the Employment Rights Helpline to provide free legal advice and self-advocacy assistance to people with disabilities who need help related to a disability in the workplace.

Since opening in 2017, the Employment Rights Helpline has helped hundreds of people. Celebrate these successes with us during Employment Rights Helpline Month.

Here are just a few examples of what the Helpline has accomplished.

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As a result of Helpline intervention after his first request was denied, Kenneth is now able to bring his seizure alert dog to work, which ensures his safety on the job.
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When Marcia was forced to take medical leave after a workers’ compensation surgery, Helpline staff negotiated her immediate return to work. She is now back doing a job that she loves.
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After he called the Helpline, Jose, a job applicant with cerebral palsy, was able to take a pre-employment test with his own assistive technology.
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Calling the Helpline gave Aaron the tools he needed to successfully advocate for himself when requesting the reasonable accommodation of teaching courses online.
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Ruth’s therapist made statements in her reasonable accommodation paperwork that made her employer concerned about her ability to do her job. Helpline staff helped write a second letter, resolving the employer’s concerns. Ruth now has all of her requested accommodations.
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The number of callers receiving free legal advice and self-advocacy assistance has increased every year since the Employment Rights Helpline was started. 100% of callers report being “Very Satisfied” or “Satisfied” with their Helpline experience.
Your support helps Equip for Equality Advance the Human and Civil Rights of People with Disabilities through the Employment Rights Helpline and other programs like it.

We are working to meet a $20,000 challenge grant—all new and increased donations this year will be matched by an anonymous foundation.

If you have not given this year, consider doing so now during Employment Rights Helpline Month.

If you have already given, consider making another gift as all increased donations will be matched as well. Your additional gift will be doubled!

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