UMass Medical School’s BenePLAN program helps individuals with disabilities understand how working and earning wages will affect their public benefits, including those provided by the U.S. Social Security Administration and state Medicaid programs.

Every day that John Dunleavy, a man with Down syndrome, comes to work for the Boston Bruins he has a smile on his face and a positive attitude. That approach has made an impression on the entire organization, and led UMass Medical School’s Work Without Limits to honor John and the Bruins Oct. 27 for leadership in advancing workplace diversity and disability employment.

UMass Medical School’s Work Without Limits will honor the Boston Bruins for their leadership in advancing workplace diversity by hiring individuals with disabilities. The award will be presented to the Bruins during the third annual Work Without Limits “Raise the Bar Hire!” Conference and Career Fair Oct. 27 and 28 at the Four Points Sheraton in Norwood.

The U.S. Social Security Administration (Social Security) awarded UMass Medical School’s BenePLAN program a five-year Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) cooperative agreement to continue providing WIPA services. Pending the availability of annual funds, the cooperative agreement provides annual funding of $240,000 for BenePLAN through June 30, 2020.  

The Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) has named UMass Medical School’s Work Without Limits the 2016 Frank X. McCarthy Organizational Diversity Champion for its efforts to improve workplace diversity and the employment rate of people with disabilities.