Finally, Virginia Commonwealth University compiled and edited the refined statements into a comprehensive report of the symposium. Social Security Disability recipients often have inadequate or inaccurate information about work incentives. Thus, they have insufficient information to make informed choices regarding employment, benefits counseling, and vocational rehabilitation services. There are additional problems within SSA itself, such as unnecessarily complex rules regarding earnings that often result in overpayments to recipients. SSA should strive to increase numbers of customer service representatives and its consumer responsiveness.
Employers are an overlooked resource for increasing employment of individuals with disabilities.
Employers need to be informed, included, and involved in rehabilitation and systems change efforts. In addition, self-employment business ownership should be promoted as appropriate vocational outcomes for more individuals with disabilities. Federal and State services for individuals with disabilities are compartmentalized, with fragmented eligibility criteria and conflicting goals. Collaborative and integrated service systems should be developed which address individuals' holistic assets and needs. However, few incentives exist to develop such systems.