What Is an ABLE Account?
By Emily Sherman | Edited by Barri Segal | Feb. 15, 2023,
Living with a disability can be incredibly expensive. One study published by the National Disability Institute found that households with a disabled adult require an average of 28% more income to maintain the same standard of living as ones without.
"People with intellectual disabilities need to be treated and respected the same way that we do every other patient who shows up at the doctor," said University of Chicago public health researcher Harold Pollack. "We are a long way from that."
Known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” the Walt Disney World Resort is also one of the most accessible and welcoming places on Earth. Not only does Disney World feature numerous accommodations for guests regarding showtimes, rides, attractions, and dining experiences, but the resort also employs a robust Disability service known as DAS.
More than 16,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or IDD, are housed in institutions in the U.S., reports the Residential Information Systems Project. While that's significantly lower than nearly 200,000 people in the 1960s, there is more work to be done, says disability rights activist Rebecca Cokley.
In light of recent changes in disability legislation and policy, states like Arizona and Virginia have taken significant steps to foster inclusive hiring initiatives. By eliminating the four-year degree requirement for most state jobs, they're opening doors for a broader range of applicants, which enhances workforce diversity. This move addresses the needs of historically underemployed groups, including people with disabilities, by reducing unnecessary barriers to employment.
The Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees equal protection for people with a wide range of disabilities. But advocates say many challenges remain 34 years after it became the law of the land. Modeled after the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the ADA provides equal access to government services, schools, buildings, private employers and commercial facilities. But some disability rights activists say the law doesn't go far enough to protect those living with disabilities.
FEMA is providing disaster assistance to people with disabilities and access and functional needs. Assistance is also available for those who communicate in languages other than English. Some individuals without a disability may have temporary or long-term conditions where they also need a little extra help but might not think to ask for it. FEMA offers extra help to people such as older adults, and people who have difficulty with English.
“About 3.8% is the unemployment rate in this country,” Gray continued. “We see about 6 % are with people [with] disabilities and … when you get to blacks with disabilities, it gets to 12.4%.” Gray recently teamed up with the California-based Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a philanthropy organization that will help her team expand their reach.
In a conversation presented by Easterseals Disability Services, a nonprofit supporting people with disabilities for over 100 years, disabled creatives and allies discuss inclusion in Hollywood. Being noticed in Hollywood is a challenge for any creative. But being seen when you’re a disabled creative is exponentially more difficult.
People who are able-bodied aren't always aware of the daily realities of people who live with disabilities. Unless someone moves through life in a body that works differently, or lives with someone who does, how could they?
This is a summary of the peer-reviewed article: Exploring practice leadership in intellectual disability services: a concept analysis by Ruth Ryan, Owen Doody, Eileen Carey et al. The article examines and critically appraises practice leadership in intellectual disability services through a concept analysis. Intellectual disability services rely on high-quality practice from staff to ensure positive outcomes for service users. Practice leaders, typically front-line managers, have a crucial role in creating a culture that fosters person-centred care, staff empowerment, and continuous learning and improvement.