As a complex and unpredictable disease, MS can have varying effects on a person’s ability to work. New symptoms might make you question whether you can continue working and, when those symptoms subside, you might wonder why you were worried about work at all.
People living with MS often continue working long after their diagnosis. On the flip side, some people with MS decide to leave their jobs when they are first diagnosed or experience their first major exacerbation, often at the suggestion of their family or doctor. This decision is often made too quickly and at a time when symptoms can color judgment. Disease-modifying drugs, new technologies, better symptom management, legal employment protections, and community resources can help you remain in the workforce.
We offer a variety of resources to make important employment decisions including:
- Employment referrals to community resources with expertise in employment issues
- Education teleconference on employment-related issues (disclosure, job accommodations)
- Client Assistance Day
- Referrals for legal assistance regarding SSDI eligibility
- Lending Library employment materials
Recommendation for Employers
EARN - The Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) is a resource for employers seeking to recruit, hire, and retain qualified employees with disabilities.
EARN supports employers in recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing qualified individuals with disabilities through confidential, no-cost:
Consultation and technical assistance
Customized training
Comprehensive online resources
Links to state and local community-based organizations serving job seekers with disabilities
EARN is part of the National Employer Technical Assistance, Policy, and Research Center at Cornell University funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor.
For more information, please call 1-800-344-4867.