Disability Benefits 101 for Employers

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Day 1

Time

11:39 am CDT

Location

Denver (upstairs)

Category

Breakout

Track

Core

Format

Hybrid

ceu(s) available

SHRM

About this session

For many people with disabilities, the biggest barrier to employment isn’t ability, it’s the fear of losing Social Security, Medicaid, or Medicare the moment a paycheck arrives. This hands-on session introduces Disability Benefits 101 (DB101), a free online tool from the World Institute on Disability that shows job seekers, and the professionals who support them, exactly how earnings interact with public benefits and health coverage. Through a live walkthrough of DB101’s calculators and real-world scenarios, participants will see how to replace “what if I lose everything?” with a concrete, numbers-based plan for going to work and keeping more of what they earn. Attendees will leave ready to use DB101 in their own conversations with job seekers, families, and transition-age youth.

presented by

  • Heather Duncan

    Chief Strategy Officer

    World Institute on Disability

         

    Heather Duncan is a mission-driven strategist and organizational leader with over a decade of experience shaping programs, policies, and partnerships that drive systemic change. As Chief Strategy Officer at the World Institute on Disability, home of Disability Benefits 101, she guides long-term visioning, operational priorities, and inclusive growth. With a foundation in legal and government affairs, she works at the intersection of advocacy, administration, and action.