Helping People With Disabilities

Obama - Promises To Keep

2008-11-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

This will be the first in a series about politics, the president and the economy. These forces effect everyone but especially the disabled.

Sen. Barack Obama has won the presidency in an electoral landslide. Now the United States stands at the beginning of a new era in politics and economics. A time of great financial difficulty, the worst recession since the great depression.

Obama brings a new sense of hope - that we can solve these severe problems then move forward. Obama has made a number of promises during the campaign. Among them to help the disabled, implement health care changes as many of the disabled are directly impacted by the health care system.

My hope is that he can achieve many of his proposals for the good of the people. We as a country need a strong leader to lead us out of these difficult times.

Presidental Campaign - Promises To Keep

2008-10-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

The economic turmoil has gained most of the news stories followed by the presidential election. Here is a presidential election story about an issue that has not made the headlines.

Outlined below is summary of the Obama-Biden plan to help people with disabilities.

Providing Americans With Disabilities Educational Opportunities.
Ending Discrimination and Promoting Equality of Opportunity For People With Disabilities.
Increasing Employment Rate of Workers With Disabilities.
Supporting Independent, Community-Based Living For Americans With Disabilities.

The republican ticket of McCain-Palin plan appears to cover changes to the health care systems without directly targeting the disabled.

John McCain's Vision for Health Care Reform
Making Health Insurance Innovative, Portable and Affordable
A Specific Plan of Action: Ensuring Care for Higher Risk Patients
A Specific Plan of Action: Lowering Health Care Costs
Confronting the Long-Term Challenge
Setting the Record Straight: Covering Those With Pre-Existing Conditions

Clicking on underlined campaigns will take you directly to their website for more detail. The election is still three weeks away so my suggestion is to review the information if you have not decided how you will vote.

Currently, the Democratic ticket of Obama-Biden appears to be leading the presidential election based on the latest polls. Taking into account the current difficult economic realities that the new president will have to face. It may be difficult for either Democrats or Republicans to implement the programs they campaigned on.

Forgotten Casualties of Iraq & Afghanistan Wars

2008-10-08T12:58:00.001-07:00

Most news organizations report the latest U.S. fatalities in fighting the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The latest numbers are 4180 in Iraq and 610 in Afghanistan. Those numbers are tragic to the families of the service men and women involved. Also, those numbers represent a great loss to the country of our brave men and women. In addition, another reported cost of the Iraq war is is the estimated cost to exceed one trillion dollars.

The forgotten casualties are the disabled veterans returning from the wars. A report out lately outlines that up to 200,000 of the 600,000 war veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are looking to the Veterans Administration (VA) for health care. The U.S. is preparing to stay in Iraq through 2010, so that number will undoubtedly increase.

In addition to combat related injuries, veterans are dealing with long-term medical issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD usually develops over a long period of time.
It is estimated that 100,000 servicemen and women are also receiving disability compensation for their injuries.

As a country, we need to take care of our brave men and women. They have risked their lives and future for all of us. We can help by supporting worthy veterans organizations. One such example is Disabled American Veterans, they are an organization helping the disabled veterans with valuable assistance and services beyond what the VA is providing.

Heart Warming Stories

2008-10-02T22:04:00.000-07:00

Lately, there have been a batch of very negative stories in the news with the economy, banks, unemployment etc. So today, I decided that I would write about a couple ABC News stories that are both positive and enlightening.

The first story is about a Walgreen's Drug Store executive Randy Lewis, whose 19-year old son has autism, made it his mission to set up an Employment Opportunity for the disabled at the Walgreen's Anderson distribution center. Currently, more than 40 percent of the 700 workers there are disabled. The Anderson distribution center is actually more productive than other Walgreen distribution centers. In addition, the company should be eligible for various federal and state tax incentives. This is a win-win situation for both the company and the disabled employees! ABC News Story Lewis

The second story is about Heather Kuzmich made it to the final five competitors on "America's Next Top Model," despite suffering from Asperger's Syndrome. Most people are not aware of Asperger's, it is a type of autism. Asperger's makes understanding social interactions difficult. For someone like Heather, even the best of days can be a struggle. But Heather inspires all of us to excel! ABC News Story Kuzmich

Government Website

2008-10-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

One of the purposes of this blog is to give the disabled substantial and helpful information. Today, I thought I would outline a federal government website that is very helpful! This site is http://www.disabilityinfo.gov.

The site covers a number of valuable topics and contains a wealth of information:

Employment
Education
Housing
Transportation
Health
Benefits
Technology
Community life
Civil Rights

Autism - Interesting Facts

2008-09-29T22:55:00.000-07:00

Autism applies to a broad group of developmental disabilities called Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Autism is a type of disability that is often associated with children. But, many adults are impacted by this disability.

ASD begins before the age of 3.
ASD continues thru a person's whole life.
Thinking and learning abilities can vary from gifted to severely challenged.
ASD effects every racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic group.
ASD is more likely to occur in boys than girls.

ASD is usually defined by significant impairments in social interaction and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests. Many people with ASDs also have difficulty paying attention have to be taught with creative instructional methods.

ADA Amendments Act Enacted

2008-09-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

This week was a tumultuous news week due to $700 B financial bailout, but barely mentioned was one of the most momentous pieces of legislation to impact the disabled in recent years. The ADA Amendments Act passed overwhelmingly in the House and by unanimous consent in the Senate. The bill will significantly broaden protections for the disabled. The bill will also provide protection, for the first time, to workers with serious ailments such as diabetes, epilepsy and cancer.

By explicitly arguing for an interpretation that was less constrictive, lawmakers sought to restore the intent of the original Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Supreme Court has consistently imposed a very narrow interpretation of the ADA. President Bush has said that he will sign the bill into law despite previous concerns that the legislation would spur excess litigation.

The legislation is the result of two years of substantial cooperation between business groups and disability rights organizations. Both groups are pleased with the final version of the bill. The direct language of the bill, and the cooperation that forged it, should improve employment levels for the disabled

Disturbing Fact - Unemployment Rates For Diabled

2008-09-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

A very disturbing fact has just recently been published! It has been eighteen years since the The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was enacted. But, currently two out of three people with significant disabilities are unemployed, a disturbing statistic that disability organizations say is unchanged from when the original ADA became law.

Common Myths About Disabled Workers

2008-09-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

Myth: Hiring employees with disabilities increases
workers’ compensation insurance rates.

Fact: Insurance rates are based on two factors
(1) relative hazards of the operation and the
(2) organization’s accident experience, not
on whether workers have disabilities.

Myth: Employees with disabilities have a higher
absentee rate than employees without disabilities.

Fact: Studies by firms such as DuPont show that
employees with disabilities do NOT have an absentee
rate higher than employees without disabilities.

Myth: Hiring workers with disabilities requires a
considerable business expense.

Fact: Most workers with disabilities require minimal
accommodations and the cost for those who do is
minimal or much lower than many employers
believe. Studies by the Job Accommodation
Network, established by the President’s
Committee on Employment of People with
Disabilities
15% cost nothing,
51% cost between $1 and $500,
12% cost between $501 and $1,000,
22% cost more than $1,000.

Myth: Employees with disabilities are more likely to
have a job related accident that non disabled employees.

Fact: In a study by DuPont, the safety records of
both groups were identical.

Application For Social Security Benefits

2008-09-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. It can take a long time to process an application for disability benefits (three to five months). To apply for disability benefits, please complete an application for Social Security Benefits and the Disability Report.

You can complete the Disability Report at http://www.ssa.gov/disability/3368. You can also print the Disability Report, complete it and return it to your local Social Security office. The application will be processed faster if you collect the information required. Do not delay applying for benefits if you cannot get all of this information

For additional information go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/

Probability Of Becoming Disabled

2008-09-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

Disability is something most people do not like to think about. But, But the chances that you will become disabled probably are greater than you realize. Social Security studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a 30% chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.

Social Security Disability Benefits - Children

2008-09-24T20:41:00.000-07:00

Most people are not aware that there are Social Security Benefits for children with disabilities. Additional information is available refer to Benefits For Children With Disabilities (Publication No. 05-10026).

Please go to this website for more information! http://www.ssa.gov/

Social Security Disability Benefits - Adults

2008-09-24T20:12:00.000-07:00

Social security has two programs to pay disability benefits. The first is the Social Security Disability Insurance and the second is the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. For specific information about your situation, you should call Social Security.

Social Security pays benefits to people who cannot work because they have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Federal law requires this very strict definition of disability. While some programs give money to people with partial disability or short-term disability, Social Security does not. Certain family members of disabled workers also can receive money from Social Security.

Contact Social Security at this toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. They can answer specific questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. If a person is deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.

Please go to http://www.socialsecurity.com/ for additional information.

Denial Of Disability Insurance Claims

2008-09-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

The denial of a disability insurance claim is one of the most financially devastating events that can happen to a disabled person. The reason is that the person who thought ahead and spent his or her money to buy insurance to protect themselves (if they are unfortunate enough to become disabled), sought to protect themselves from the hardship of disability and are not able to do so because the Disability insurance company denies the claim.

Many people have had problems collecting from insurance companies on disability
claims. Some respected law firms specialize in the prosecution of claims against
insurance companies that have failed or refused to pay claims arising out of Disability
Insurance claims.

With effective representation you are able to present the claim in such a way that the insurer may reverse its decision and pay the claim. Therefore, it is important to deal with the denial of the claim immediately and not wait for the issues to become stale.

My recommendation would be to contact your local bar association. They should be able to give you the firms that specialize in the area. Also, please realize that attorney's are not inexpensive. Most will charge a percentage of the award on prevailing.

Grants Available For The Following

2008-09-24T17:10:00.000-07:00

Grants are available for the following types of assistance!

Purchasing a new home
Purchase a new car
Repairing your home
Housing assistance
Transportation
Rent
Debts
Mortgage payments
Childcare
Legal services
Bill payments for seniors
Groceries
Clothing
General living expenses
Real estate taxes

Grants Available

2008-09-24T16:57:00.000-07:00

Grants are being funded by the U. S. government and a number of Private Foundations. Free cash grants and loans are being funded by the U.S. Government and Private Foundations. The Private Foundations use the grants as a Tax Write-Off!

This Free Government Money can be used for a number of purposes start a business, go to college, buy a house, medical bills, etc.

While the exact number of programs changes each year, depending on where federal grant funding goes and which foundations are created, there are typically around 1,500 separate funding programs supplied by almost 100 different agencies annually. Grant programs can be divided into four categories. Personal Grants, Business Grants, Educational Grants & Health Care Grants.

The bottom line is that there are programs out there to help the diabled.

Types of Disabilities

2008-09-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

Disabilities are generally broken down into two types of disabilities. The two types of disabilities are physical and mental. Disabilities can be genetic, or caused by a disease or an injury.

The most common physical disabilities are:

Back or Neck Injury
Degenerative Disc Disease
Diabetes
Cancer
Arthritis
Seizure Disorders
Migraines

The most common types of mental disabilities are:

Schizophrenia
Bi Polar Disorder
Depression
Personality Disorders
Mental Retardation
Anxiety Disorders
PTSD

Reasons

2008-09-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

First, I would like to say that I have been blessed in so many ways that I feel very fortunate indeed. Each year I think about what I can do to improve myself and become a better person. I have always been passionate about helping people that are less fortunate than myself. I religiously donate money to a number of worthy causes during the year, help at the food bank or donate some food to the poor and consider my duty done.

But, I was presented an opportunity to start a blog and I thought WOW! What a FABULOUS idea! I can use the internet as a medium to distribute information to people with disabilities. The blog can impact so many people in a very positive way!

Dedication

2008-09-24T11:04:00.001-07:00

HELPING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES is dedicated to the disabled, their families and the caretakers! The internet is a WONDERFUL medium in which to get information to people. So, this blog will be bringing useful information to the people that really need help on a daily basis!