Bobby Dodd Institute

10/22/2026

Receiving a Social Security overpayment notice can be confusing and stressful. Join our webinar about what to do when you receive an SSA overpayment live today at 10:00 AM EST! Anna Maki, Director of Program Services at BDI and Venisha Clark, Community Work Incentive Counselor at BDI will help you understand why overpayments happen and what steps can be taken to address and resolve them.

If you are a person receiving Social Security benefits, including SSI and SSDI beneficiaries, a person with disabilities, a family member of someone with disabilities, a caregiver, an advocate, a case manager, a benefits counselor, and/or a professional who supports individuals with disabilities with Social Security benefits, this webinar is for you.

There is still time to register! Register now at 5cdfba44-c4aa-4113-9b0c-deed756dc128@aa657598-e931-4299-93bd-7ab1c44edc43" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/5cdfba44-c4aa-4113-9b0c-deed756dc128@aa657598-e931-4299-93bd-7ab1c44edc43

We hope to see you there!

ID: A promotional graphic for a webinar in the BDI Empowers Webinar series with a navy upper section and a light blue lower section. Teal and white accents frame the design. The upper section features the title “BDI Empowers Webinar” and the topic, “What to Do If You Receive an SSA Overpayment.” Two circular portraits of Anna Maki, a smiling woman with long gray hair, and Venisha Clark, a smiling woman with long black hair, appears at the center where the two background sections meet. Their portraits have thick teal circles around them. Below the portrait are their names and roles, the event date and time, and a magenta “Register” button.

10/21/2026

"These are the tools and skills I personally bring to the workplace, and here's how I've used them."

This is what you want to be able to communicate about yourself to any employer.

To do this, you need to turn your qualities into examples of how you're able to use them. For example, if you want them to know you're responsible, you can say, "When I have several tasks to complete in one day, I use a checklist to keep myself organized. I make sure I complete each step in a timely manner.” This shows responsibility and proves that you have transferable skills.

Employers want to know how you apply your skills, not just what they are. Think them through and practice what you want to say until it becomes second nature.

10/20/2026

"As an adult, I've learned that having dyslexia is not something that should stop me from doing what I want to do."

This quote comes from Vickie, who has dyslexia. She shares her experiences with it and what helps her in this video. If you have the condition or are looking to support people who have or may have it, she hopes this video will help you!

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Dyslexia is a reading disability that affects someone’s ability to process sounds and language. Their brains can’t translate sounds to letters and words. They have unique differences in language processing compared to people who don’t have dyslexia.

Below are three ways you can support individuals with dyslexia:

1. Don't put them on the spot. People with dyslexia may be uncomfortable spelling a word out loud for the first time. Let them try a couple of times and accept their requests for help.

2. Be patient and give them grace. If they don't spell or read a word or a name correctly the first time they see or hear it, gently correcting and offering to help them is a good practice.

3. Recognize that dyslexia has nothing to do with intelligence. People with dyslexia often have average or above average intelligence. Even though they read at a slower pace and have trouble spelling words correctly, it doesn't mean they are less intelligent.

Do you know any other ways to support people with dyslexia? Share your thoughts in the comments!

10/20/2026

Kelly found BDI when she sought support for her son Justin, who has Autism, ten years ago. Through our Benefits Navigation services, BDI helped her navigate complex systems like securing SSI Medicaid and applying for the NOW/COMP waiver for Justin.

Today, the need continues. Justin remains on the NOW/COMP waiver waiting list.

Our goal is to serve 10,000 people like Kelly and Justin by 2032, but we can’t do this without help.

A monthly donation of $12.50 can provide 1 hour of Benefits Navigation services. Donate today at https://bobbydodd.org/ways-to-give/ -now



ID: A graphic with two adults who are smiling while sitting on an orange couch. The person on the left is wearing a maroon polo shirt, while the person on the right is wearing a navy blue sleeveless top. Behind them, there is an indoor plant. In the top right of the image, there is title text that says, "Helping Families Navigate Complex Systems."

10/15/2026

"If you get out with other people who have disabilities as well as you, you can function better and life will go very much smoother."

Linda, who has been working at Bobby Dodd Institute's warehouse for a little over 5 years, knows the importance of having a job for people with disabilities, whether their disabilities have been lifelong or not.

She believes work can make you feel better about yourself and your disability, connecting with others with disabilities will improve your quality of life, and you will function better and make a difference by working in your community. Getting back into the workforce if your disability comes later in life, even if you can't do what you used to, is a great way to get back on track.

Why do you think it's important to have a job when you have a disability? Let us know in the comments.

10/14/2026

“I don’t have any work experience.”

If you've said that, you may be selling yourself short. Work skills can come long before a first job. Also called transferable skills, they can come from hobbies like gaming, for example.

Playing video games = following complex directions, solving problems, and learning new technology.
Taking care of a pet = responsibility and time management.
Helping a parent pay bills online = attention to detail and comfort with computers.
Volunteering at a food pantry = teamwork, reliability, and customer service.
Think about how you can provide what an employer needs for their business. Describe how you can help the employer rather than just saying you have a certain quality.

Employers hire for these skills every day. The hard part is getting them onto an application and into a clear answer when an interviewer says “Tell me about yourself." This is what we'll be talking about in Part 2. Rosemarie will cover how to search and apply for jobs, how to build a resume that gets past AI screening, and how to talk about your strengths in an interview. If someone comes to mind while you are reading, send this to them. Or sign up and watch it together.

Register at f10baf3d-39f4-402a-899c-95f438828640@aa657598-e931-4299-93bd-7ab1c44edc43" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/f10baf3d-39f4-402a-899c-95f438828640@aa657598-e931-4299-93bd-7ab1c44edc43

10/13/2026

Save this one for the next time someone tells you workplace accommodations are expensive.

These three accommodations for employees with ADHD are simple and usually cost an employer nothing:

1. Scheduled breaks. Short, planned breaks during the day give people time to reset and come back to their work focused.

2. Noise-canceling headphones. Less background noise makes it easier to stay on task, especially in open or busy workspaces.

3. Time management tools. Calendars, timers, reminders, and clear due dates help people plan their day and stay on top of deadlines. Many people with ADHD already have systems that work for them. This accommodation lets them keep using those systems on the job.

Under the ADA, employees can request reasonable accommodations, and these are easy ones for most employers to say yes to.

Questions about workplace accommodations or supporting a job seeker with ADHD? Send us a message. We’re happy to talk it through.

10/10/2026

BDI's free training series is back for Season 6! This season, we're offering twice as many opportunities to explore topics designed specifically for the disability community. Join us for expert-led sessions covering everything from employment, disability benefits, special needs trusts to caregiving and independent living.

Choose a training that interests you and register today at
bobbydodd.org/bdi-empowers-webinar. You can find a list of all upcoming sessions at https://bobbydodd.org/bdi-empowers-webinar/ -sessions.

ID: A promotional graphic for Bobby Dodd Institute's free trainings for 2026 to 2027. A navy-blue banner is at the top left with the title "Bobby Dodd Institute Free Trainings 2026-2027" that is displayed in large, bold white letters. Below the title, a list of training sessions is organized chronologically by month and day, spanning from October 2026 to May 2027. Each training session includes a brief description of the topic covered, with a total of 11 sessions listed. At the bottom, there is a navy-blue rectangle with a website link on it in white text leading to Bobby Dodd Institute's webinar sign up page.

10/09/2026

Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder can all count as disabilities under the ADA, including at work.

From workplace rights to everyday support, here are five things to know about mental health disabilities at work.

1. People with mental health disabilities have workplace rights that protect them from discrimination at their jobs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are examples of laws that ensure these protections.

2. A flexible schedule can increase productivity. Rest is productive and can help employees with disabilities get work done more efficiently!

3. Talking about mental health disabilities openly in a work environment teaches everyone how to help and interact with people with mental health disabilities and creates a welcoming environment for everyone.

4. Mental health training for managers and supervisors can improve the quality of life of every employee. Practicing this training helps keep all employees informed and helps employees with disabilities feel comfortable staying with a company long-term.

5. People with disabilities bring different and valuable perspectives and skills to their workplaces. Giving them the support they need benefits companies too!

Did you know these facts? Are there other facts you know about mental health disabilities at work that aren't listed here? Let us know in the comments!



ID: An infographic titled “Mental Health Disabilities at Work: 5 researched facts to know.” It uses a white background with navy, magenta, gray, and green accents. Five numbered sections are arranged from top to bottom, separated by thin magenta horizontal lines. Each section has a bold navy heading, explanatory gray text, and a simple illustration on the right. “Employees have rights,” illustrated by a document and a shield containing a person icon; “Flexibility can help,” illustrated by a clock and a desk calendar; “Conversations reduce stigma,” illustrated by two overlapping speech bubbles; “Manager training matters,” illustrated by a manager addressing a group of employees; and “Different perspectives add value,” illustrated by a diverse group of four people. The numbers appear in magenta circles along the left side. A dark navy rounded banner is at the top of the graphic. The Bobby Dodd Institute logo appears in the lower-left corner.

10/08/2026

What happens after high school?

For a lot of young adults with disabilities, the answer shouldn’t be staying home. A job or a volunteer spot can make a big difference.

Here are some of the often-overlooked benefits of working while living with a disability as seen by Kylie Moore.

You make friends. Being part of a team gives you a place where you belong.

You find out what you’re good at. Trying different jobs helps you figure out what fits.

You feel proud of what you do.

And you earn your own money, which means more independence.

If you or someone in your family is thinking about work, this is worth a read:

By Kylie Moore In 2025, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was double the rate for those without a disability, according to the most recent data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rates for persons with a disability was 8.3 percent -- higher than the previou...