According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country will need to fill 9.3 million direct care job openings by 2031. Without targeted intervention, this shortage will accelerate, disproportionately impacting seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
Recent policy shifts in both the US and the UK have led to substantial cuts in funding and protective measures for disability communities. These actions, aimed at reducing public spending, risk leaving millions of disabled individuals without essential services.
The recent pause in federal funding has raised concerns across many sectors, including healthcare, research, and public assistance. One of the most affected areas is the development of assistive technology and innovation for people with disabilities.
For millions of people with disabilities in the United States, the promise of equitable access to healthcare and financial independence remains elusive. While advocacy groups, policymakers, and individuals have worked tirelessly to advance disability rights, systemic barriers persist, creating a landscape that often seems engineered for failure.
This month, I’m stepping away from the usual updates to share my experience at the M-Enabling Summit in Washington, DC., an annual event that focuses on promoting accessible technologies and services.
This month, I’m stepping away from the usual updates to share my experience at the M-Enabling Summit in Washington, DC., an annual event that focuses on promoting accessible technologies and services.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has implemented a rule that will eliminate food from the In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) calculations when determining Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility and payment amounts. Effective September 30, 2024, this change is designed to make the SSI process less burdensome for beneficiaries and the SSA itself.
The recent policy updates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) mark a significant step forward in helping veterans, especially those experiencing homelessness, find stable housing. These changes are designed to address the specific challenges veterans face when trying to access supportive housing and aim to make the system more inclusive and effective.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees two main programs that provide financial support to individuals with disabilities: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both programs define disability as an inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically verifiable physical or mental impairment. If someone’s earnings exceed the SGA limit, their benefits are typically reduced or stopped.
The federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides crucial monthly cash assistance to disabled and elderly people with limited income and resources. However, many recipients face a significant drawback: the program penalizes marriage by reducing or eliminating benefits if a couple’s combined assets exceed $3,000.
I read this heartening piece recently and felt compelled to share it with you. While the journey toward inclusivity for individuals with disabilities in our digital world has faced its challenges, here at Envisioning Access, we’re fervently championing innovative solutions to ensure no one gets left behind in today’s digital era.
