JFActivist

A Thanksgiving Message from Sarah Peterson, Former JFA Moderator

Fighting for disability rights can inspire many emotions: urgency, satisfaction, sadness, joy, anxiety, anger, and triumph. However, with Thanksgiving coming up this week, as people across the country spend time reflecting on the blessings in their lives, I would like to take this opportunity to express gratitude for all of the blessings that this work has brought to my life.  I worked at AAPD from 2008 to 2011, and during that time I was honored to be involved with a number of exciting and meaningful programs and coalitions including Justice for All (JFA), the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC), the Disability Vote Project (DVP), and the National Disability Leadership Alliance (NDLA).  The people I met and the experiences I had doing this work made me a better, more patient, more passionate person.

I believe that we, human beings, are created to find fulfillment in community, be they our families, faith groups, schools, or workplaces.  This Thanksgiving I will be giving thanks for the disability community.  I am thankful for the inspiring legacy that has been passed down to us by leaders like Justin Dart, Fred Fay, Judi Chamberlin, Max Starkloff, Paul Hearne, Laura Hershey and many, many more.  I am thankful for the guidance and example of our community’s current leadership, many of whom are my personal role models, who have taught me about solidarity, power and justice.  I am thankful for the commitment and courage of advocates, young and old, who travel across the nation, call or email to share their personal stories with policymakers when called upon in times of great need.  I am thankful for each small step we take toward a more accessible, inclusive, and just society, and I am thankful for the remaining challenges that we will face together, which teach us to value each other and our interdependence.  But most importantly, I am thankful for the companionship and camaraderie of colleagues-turned-friends who are there to offer plucky words of encouragement when I lose motivation, who push me to stretch my limits, who have walked and rolled with me in the heat and the rain shouting “Our Homes, Not Nursing Homes!” until our voices went hoarse. 

This Thursday as I close my eyes to pray, I will hold in my heart a sincere prayer of thanksgiving for bringing the disability community into my life.  

 

Protecting Medicaid across Faith Lines

From AAPD (11.18.2011):

By Lara Schwartz, AAPD VP of External Affairs

 

When we honor and treat all people with dignity and respect across faith lines, we are a powerful force.  –David Feinman, Senior Legislative Associate, the Jewish Federations of North America

As advocates and activists, we often frame our civil rights agenda as a set of policy goals to achieve or specific bills to pass.  People often tell me that they don’t get involved in promoting civil rights laws because they feel like the conversation involves topics that they don’t have time to learn about during their busy, full lives.  That’s especially true for large, complex programs like Medicaid, a program that serves millions of people with disabilities.

While Medicaid and programs like it might be complicated, the justification for them is not.  We promote this vital program because it is consistent with our values.  Opportunity. Fairness.  Justice.  Treating  our neighbors as we treat ourselves.  Our leaders need to be reminded that if our core values are not driving their decision making, they aren’t really representing us. 

Many Americans’ values are rooted in their faith practices and traditions. It’s essential for faith voices to influence the conversation about Medicaid and other civil rights matters.  That’s why we held a web chat on November 10 along with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), and the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC).  The web chat featured representatives from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths along with AAPD and UCP staff members.   

The web chat created an intimate conversation that reached across the country. We received questions from Montana, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, and California, to name a few.   You can see the transcript at:
http://www.ucp.org/public-policy/america-s-super-committee/live-webchat-protecting-medicaid-across-faith-lines-for-people-with-disabilities

Participants from interfaith coalition wrote eloquently about the connection between values and policy.  Maggie Siddiqui of the Islamic Society of North America observed: “we all have a religious or moral responsibility to serve those in our communities who need our help the most, and our country should reflect those values.”

Participants brought their own strong voices to the conversation.  Linda Starnes of Florida sent this powerful statement:

"We ask that the President, Congress, and our state governments look to other means of creating a fiscally sound country, and to not cut funding from Medicaid.  Medicaid provides a lifeline to so many of our most vulnerable citizens.  For as we are reminded within the parable of Matthew 25,  'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.'" 

The deadline for a deficit reduction plan is next week.  We need to follow Linda’s eloquent example and speak our minds—and our values—to the elected leaders who will make decisions about Medicaid’s future.

America's Supercommittee Member David Feinman Says: "Cuts to Medicaid will Hurt People with Disabilities"

via Alternet (11.14.11):

The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the “Super Committee,” is getting closer to its deadline to determine how to reduce our nation’s deficit and meet our financial obligations. They are weighing their options regarding programs that form the fabric of our safety net, including Medicaid. If they can reach an agreement, it will have a profound impact on millions of people with disabilities for whom Medicaid is a lifeline to health and independent living.

Corporations, associations, experts, and other organized interests will weigh in on this issue, but their voices cannot and should not be the only voices that the “Super Committee” hears. It is vitally important that everyday Americans weigh in too. Speaking as someone who has worked in politics and public policy for a number of years, I can’t emphasize enough how important constituent engagement is in our democratic process. The twelve members of the “Super Committee” have a huge responsibility on their shoulders. Considering the challenges they and the rest of the Congress face coming to a consensus on most issues, it is critical that they hear from people who want to have a constructive conversation.

I am one of these people. As a person of faith and as an advocate for Jewish federations across North America, I want the Joint Committee to protect the dignity of all Americans. As a person who has worked in politics and public policy, I want smart, pragmatic solutions. As the brother of someone with a disability, I want real people, like him, to have access to Medicaid, which ensures a higher quality of health and life for millions.

From a very young age, I was taught to be involved with my community and to care about the welfare of others. In our home, the Jewish faith informed our sense of social justice. Thanks to my faith and my parents’ example, I always felt a compelling interest in the welfare of others. In my experience, most Americans believe, as I do, that we must love our neighbors and do right by them. Reasonable people differ over what that means, but I believe that if politicians would return to their faith roots and their values, that would inform them about the decisions that they have to make.

When we turn to our core values for guidance, we know that we cannot abandon those who rely upon Medicaid. Loving thy neighbor means doing what we can to ensure that our neighbors are able to live with dignity, comfort and security. Those values get lost in the rhetoric and the politics of ensuring victory in the next election, but we can restore these values to our political system. People of all faiths and belief systems can refocus our leaders’ attention to their responsibilities as our elected leaders by reminding them of how these values inform our own decisions, as individuals, families and communities, to make wise decisions that ensure the common good and protect those most vulnerable.

I speak from the personal experience of seeing how the fiscal insolvency of our government affects my family. My brother, Paul, has Asperger Syndrome. Medicaid is his secondary health insurance, supplementing his coverage under Medicare as a result of our mother’s passing several years ago. Medicaid insures that should Paul have a catastrophic illness, he would not lose the few assets he has earned and would not be financially destitute for the remainder of his life. Earlier this year, the State of Florida dropped him from Medicaid as part of an effort to cut the state budget. Fortunately, after three months of appeals, his Medicaid coverage was reinstated. Paul is fortunate to have me and our father to advocate on his behalf, but I know that most people do not have voices speaking for them. It is in that vein, and on behalf of all persons with disabilities and others who rely on Medicaid, that I am telling the “Super Committee” that we as a nation must do right by these people and ensure they are able to have access to the care they need.

The fact that our complex and overwhelming debt problems are now before the “Super Committee” does not diminish our own role in the process. As Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, “the ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and Senators and Congressmen and Government officials, but the voters of this country.” Call your Member of Congress. Attend a town hall. Write a letter. Make a phone call. Most of all, start a conversation with your neighbors, friends and family. Make sure that your values are front and center when the “Super Committee” makes its decisions, and make sure that your voice is heard.

David Feinman is Senior Legislative Associate for The Jewish Federations of North America. He is one of six Americans on a shadow Super Committee called “America’s Super Committee” established by United Cerebral Palsy and the American Association of People with Disabilities.

>>>To See David's Article on Alternet

States Will be Limiting Medicaid Services to Contain Costs

By David Heymsfeld, AAPD Policy Advisor 

An extensive survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Medicaid  Commission shows that most States plan  to reduce the costs of their Medicaid programs next year by reducing Medicaid services  and payments to providers .

The pressures for cuts come from the recession which has increased enrollment in Medicaid while decreasing State tax revenues.  At the same time, since June 2011, the states are not  getting the benefit of   the additional federal funding for Medicaid made available by  federal stimulus legislation.

 The steps taken by the states  to reduce the costs of their Medicaid programs include ending dental and vision services, limiting other services, increasing co-payments, increasing the use of managed care,, and lowering payments to doctors, hospitals  and other providers.

 State Funding Problems

The basic problem for the States is that as a result of unemployment and reduced incomes from the recession, the number of persons eligible for Medicaid increased by 5.5% in 2011 and is expected to increase by an additional 4.1% in 2012. In addition, federal funding for Medicaid will be reduced in 2012 because of the end of a temporary increase in federal funds from stimulus legislation. The  States plan to increase their Medicaid funding, but the increases will not offset the reduced federal funding and the costs of increased enrollment.

 Overall, total funding (state and federal) for Medicaid will increase by 2.2% in 2012, while total enrollment will increase by 4.1%.

 State Reductions in their Programs

The Kaiser report asked State Medicaid directors to evaluate the problems they would face in 2012. After analysis of these responses the report concluded that  “Pressure to control costs was identified as the most significant Medicaid issue by program officials for 2012.”

The survey shows that nearly every state will implement at least one new policy to control Medicaid costs in 2011 and 2012. Many of these changes could adversely affect beneficiaries.

Provider Rates

The survey indicated that most common cost cutting measure (39 states in 2011, 46 states in 2012) is to freeze or cut the rates paid to Medicaid providers, including physicians, hospitals , nursing homes and medical supply companies. These cuts could cause a decline is service for Medicaid enrollees. Generally Medicaid  reimbursement  for providers is less than reimbursement under Medicare and commercial insurance. Reductions in Medicaid rates may cause physicians and other providers to refuse to participate in the program.                    

 The federal government has authority to prevent excessive reductions. By law, Medicaid rates must be high enough to maintain adequate provider participation and access to services for enrollees. The federal department of Health and Human Services has recently begun rule making to develop procedures for better federal oversight of reductions in provider rates.

Copayments

The survey indicated that some States will require higher co-payments for various services, including emergency rooms and prescription drugs.

Reduction or Elimination of Services

 The survey indicated that 6 States are eliminating some benefits in 2011, and 7 States will do so in 2012. The services eliminated include dental and vision care. In 2011 and 2012,  18 States are planning to limit benefits for a variety of services, including occupational, speech or physical therapy,  personal care services and mental health services.  The limits include limits on total dollars and  on the number of treatments per year.

Managed Care

The Kaiser report concluded that “Across States, the fiscal pressure has accelerated a trend toward the use of managed care and care management, particularly for duals and for beneficiaries with disabilities or with high-cost, complex needs”.

17 states in 2011 and 24 states in 2012 plan to expand their managed care programs by expanding the areas and populations covered. For 2011, the most common changes will be adding counties to managed care service areas and adding persons with disabilities to managed care. For 2012 the most common changes will be inclusion of persons with disabilities and dual eligibles.

 For further information

The survey results make it clear that no two states are making exactly the same changes to reduce their Medicaid costs

Click here for detailed information on each state 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Police Protection for Wheelchair Users

by Sarah Amin, AAPD Programs Intern

Emergency situations can be a perpetual fear for many of us wheelchair users, not just for our personal safety, but also for the safety of our chairs. For many of us, the wheelchair is much more than simply a mobility device. It is also an expensive piece of equipment and an invaluable component in our lives. So when our chairs are in trouble – we are in trouble!  

Several weeks ago, a friend of mine visited to see the sights in D.C. As we toured, I noticed that my wheelchair battery was draining mysteriously quickly.  Towards the evening I grew worried that my chair wouldn’t survive, so I decided to call a local accessible taxi service. The taxi coordinator informed me that she could not locate an accessible cab. I tried another accessible taxi company with no better luck. After crawling along in a near panic towards my apartment building, I managed to approach it close enough to see the building, but unfortunately, my time was up. The battery was completely dead, and there we were, stranded on a street corner in the middle of evening traffic. My friend didn’t have the physical strength, and nor would I have obligated her, to manually force my heavy chair up the 2-3 block final stretch towards home. So, what are we taught to do in emergency situations such as these? At my wit’s end, I hailed a police car.  I presented my predicament to the officer: “My chair is not operating. I need to reach home before it becomes too dark, there are no accessible vehicles available, and I can’t transfer out of my chair to leave it behind. Are there any emergency vehicles that are wheelchair accessible?”

Perplexed, the officer replied, “Do you want me to shut down the traffic so that you could cross?”

Maybe she misunderstood. “No, my chair is completely out of power, I cannot move.”

“Can’t your friend push you?”

“She physically can’t, and I won’t put her in danger. She is not responsible for me.”

“Should I call an ambulance?”

“But I am not injured!”

“Don’t you have a phone number or something, for an accessible vehicle?”

By this time, my friend and I realized that there was no help for me. Not even from a police officer, whose duty it is to protect and problem-solve. We devised our own plan. She ran to my apartment, returned with my battery charger, and we begged the security personnel in a nearby apartment lobby to allow me to use their electrical outlets to charge the battery. The police officer, on the other hand, didn’t even offer to step out of her car.  What was I to conclude? That there must not be a standard protocol for situations in which wheelchair-users are stranded, and if there are, then at least one police officer did not receive the memo!

This personal story is not intended to be an idle complaint. Rather, it’s an example of the type of nightmare that wheelchair users wish to avoid, and of a system of policing that simply isn’t working for individuals with disabilities.  If the vehicle of an individual without a physical disability broke down, she could call a tow company and a cab (which are almost always readily available). But what this experience has taught me is that if a wheelchair user is in need of quick transportation due to a device malfunction, we’re on our own.

Because law enforcement agencies are part of local and state governments, they are subject to Title II of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in government services.  This applies to every level of service, from enforcing laws and arresting individuals, to receiving complaints and providing medical services. However, as with older buildings and structures, Title II does not require all police stations to be accessible to persons with disabilities.  Law enforcement agencies are not required to make alterations or accommodations that would require undue financial burden, as long as other possibilities exist that will provide access to the same programs and services. In this case, if police vehicles with modifications for wheelchair access are not available, the police are required to utilize community resources such as accessible cab companies.

The issue, in my particular case, was that the police officer did not have the adequate skills, knowledge, or training to advise me on better solutions. Not only that, it also seemed that there were no wheelchair accessible police vehicles. As much as it is my responsibility to ensure my own safety, I should have the peace of mind that if I exhausted my own options, my last resort – the police – can provide resources and assistance that I could not provide for myself.  Hiring in the Spirit of Service, a research project funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, assessed some of the nontraditional skills necessary for police officers today, emphasizing problem-solving and a broad community focus. The project underlines the ability to show initiative, be resourceful, use good judgment, take responsibility, and possess the capacity for empathy and compassion as essential core competencies for law enforcement officials. These traits are necessary for the general population, but especially so for the disability community, for which creativity and initiative are required by law enforcement in the absence of fully accessible buildings and vehicles. 

 

Honoring America's Veterans: How You Can Get Involved

by Alexandria Braboy, AAPD Development Intern

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." -John Fitzgerald Kennedy

For some Americans, a holiday like Veterans Day can too easily come and go. But Veterans Day is not just another day off; it’s a day to honor an extraordinary group of Americans. Our veterans’ sacrifices are especially relevant today; since the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of veterans returning from war with disabilities has increased by at least 25 percent[i]. As Veterans Day approaches, there will be plenty of opportunities to actively say thank you for American veterans’ sacrifices.

Volunteer with the US Department of Veterans Affairs. There are nationwide opportunities to volunteer for one of the VA programs, including the VA Homeless Veterans Program, VA National Cemetery Administration, Volunteer Transportation Network, and Welcome Home Celebrations.

Use the Paralyzed Veterans of America Wall of Heroes to create a personalized tribute to an honoree

Donate your Metro Fare Card to Fareshare, a DC-based organization that consolidates paper metro cards into Smartcards for homeless veterans seeking employment

Send a holiday card to a service member through the Red Cross/Pitney Bowes 5^th Annual Holiday Mail for Heroes program

Find volunteer opportunities through Joining Forces, an initiative by the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden “to mobilize all sectors of society to give our service members and their families the opportunities and support they’ve earned”

Also check out AAPD’s list of resources for veterans with disabilities and their families.

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[i] Number of Disabled Vets Up With Ira, Afghan Wars, Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/11/number-of-disabled-vets-u_n_101183.html

Get Out the Vote for Decision 2012 Primaries

From AAPD (11.9.2011):

Election Day is almost a year away. The Iowa Caucus is less than two months away, with the New Hampshire primary following shortly after. It’s imperative to get the disability vote out in record numbers on Election Day in 2012. In the last presidential election, we established a compelling voting block of 14.7 million voters by following the motto set by Justin Dart: “Vote as if your life depends on it because it does!” 

Although 14.7 million of us voted in 2008, 42.7 percent of eligible voters in our community did not. 

An effective get out the vote plan begins with identifying people with disability interests who you will get to vote.  The fact that 42.7 percent of us did not vote in the last presidential election reflects that just voting yourself is not enough.  Each of us has to become a get out the disability vote “block captain” in the presidential primaries. Though every election is important, the primaries are especially significant because they frame the issues for the general election. 

As our voter turnout in the general election is improving, our turnout in the primaries is dismal.  For instance, only 8 to 15 percent of us vote in primaries. Above all, getting out a strong voting block in the primary season is a way to garner media attention on issues that affect our community of fifty-four million strong.  Now is the time to start organizing voters with disabilities in your state for the primary.

AAPD CO-SPONSORS ROLLOUT OF THE 2011 ANNUAL DISABILITY STATISTICS COMPENDIUM AND FIRST ANNUAL RESEARCH-TO-POLICY ROUNDTABLE

From AAPD (11.8.2011):

By Julie Arostegui, AAPD Policy Advisor

On November 2, 2011 AAPD co-sponsored, with the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability (UNH IOD), the First Annual Research-to-Policy Roundtable as part of the rollout of the 2011 Disability Statistics Compendium.  The event, which took place on Capitol Hill, brought together disability advocates, policymakers and researchers to discuss ways that research can assist policymakers in developing better coordination between safety net programs and employment services for people with disabilities. 

In the morning, representatives from the Center for Disease Control, U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Office of Disability and Employment Policy (ODEP) and the National Center for Health Statistics joined Andrew Houtenville of UNH/IOD to offer an overview of the statistics and give perspectives on data collection.

During the afternoon Research-to-Policy Roundtable, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) welcomed the group and staffers from the offices of Senator Tom Harken (D-IA), Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Representative George Miller (D-CA) joined AAPD CEO Mark Perriello to offer legislative perspectives and discuss implications of the Disability Statistics Compendium for policy making.  The panelists acknowledged the importance of such discussions in providing information to legislators. 

The Disability Statistics Compendium annually compiles and reports statistics pertaining to people with all types of disabilities.  AAPD works with the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability (UNH/IOD) to produce the Compendium, a project funded by the National Institute on Disability Research and Rehabilitation.

The 2011 Compendium serves as a reference guide for policymakers, compiling data on the prevalence of disability, employment participation, educational attainment and health status, federal expenditures, and state-level data. Discussion of the statistics focused on a persistent and continuing trend of high unemployment and poverty among people with disabilities.  For instance:

• Working-age people with disabilities have a 16.1% unemployment rate, almost double the 8.5% unemployment rate for people without disabilities.
• 27.3% of people aged 18-64 with disabilities who live in the community live in poverty, compared with 12.8% of their counterparts without disabilities. 

Reversing this trend must be a high priority.  The Roundtable discussion offered a valuable starting point for researchers and advocates to work with policymakers to use disability statistics to make good policy for people with disabilities. 

Click here for more information about the Disability Statistics Compendium

Click here for more information about UNH IOD

Leaders from the Religious Community to Host a Web Chat: Protecting Medicaid across Faith Lines for People with Disabilities

THE INTERFAITH DISABILITY ADVOCACY COALITION, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY

Media Contacts: 

 Lara Schwartz for AAPD 202.521.4309/202.253.5370(c) lschwartz@aapd.com

Lauren Cozzi for UCP 202.973.7114/203.858.5292(c) LCozzi@ucp.org

 Leaders from the Religious Community to Host a Web Chat: Protecting Medicaid across Faith Lines for People with Disabilities

Americans of many faiths support policies and programs that promote independence and dignity for people with disabilities. Medicaid is a tool that enables millions of Americans with disabilities to contribute to their communities, families, and congregations. As leaders in Washington contemplate slashing budgets for vital services, it is important that the voices of the faith community be a vibrant part of the national conversation.

On November 10^th, The Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC): a diverse, nonpartisan coalition of religious and religiously affiliated organizations whose core spiritual values affirm the rights and dignity of people with disabilities, will host a web chat to discuss current deficit reduction strategies. Representing a broad cross-section of our country’s varied faith traditions, participating IDAC members will share their unique perspectives on why Medicaid must be preserved.

IDAC participants include:

Meg Cooch - Director of Policy and Advocacy, Lutheran Services in America Disability Network: “When thinking about deficit reduction and balancing the budget, we must apply our faith values to possible proposals.  Medicaid allows people with disabilities the opportunity to be full participants in our society by providing critical services and job supports.”

David Feinman- Senior Legislative Associate, the Jewish Federations of North America: “Considering the challenges the “Super Committee” and the rest of the Congress face coming to a consensus on most issues, it is critical that they hear from people who want to have a constructive conversation.” 

Maggie Mitchell Siddiqi, Islamic Society of North America - "In Islam, we are instructed to protect the dignity of every human being and provide help for those in need.  As a Muslim, I believe in the importance of preserving safety net programs like Medicaid, which help people maintain their dignity and self-sufficiency.”

The public can engage in the web chat by both submitting questions to interfaithchat@aapd.com and logging in to http://bit.ly/smog5m on November 10^th.

 

AAPD Announces Release of 2011 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2011

Media Contact: Lara Schwartz, VP of External Affairs
Email: lschwartz@aapd.com

 AAPD Announces Release of 2011 Annual Disability Statistics Compendium

Poverty among people with disabilities hits 27.3%, unemployment 16.1%

Persistent Trend in Unemployment of People with Disabilities Must be Reversed

WASHINGTON, DC – November 2, 2011 – The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest cross-disability membership organization, is pleased to support the publication of the 2011 Disability Statistics Compendium released today at an event on Capitol Hill. This Compendium provides new data on the status of Americans with disabilities.  

The Compendium data shows that:

• Working-age people with disabilities have a 16.1% unemployment rate, a substantive increase from 14.1% in September 2010.  In contrast, there is an 8.5% unemployment rate for people without disabilities.
• 27.3% of people aged 18-64 with disabilities who live in the community live in poverty, compared with 12.8% of their counterparts without disabilities. 
• From 2009 to 2010, the percentage of the total US population with a disability grew by 2.0 percentage points. 

“Reversing the persistent and continuing trend of high unemployment and poverty among people with disabilities has to be a top priority in this country,” said AAPD’s President and CEO, Mark Perriello. “People with disabilities want to work. We want opportunities in the private and public sectors that lead to good, meaningful jobs and a secure economic future.  Job creation initiatives need to address the barriers to employment that many people with disabilities still face, and promote equal opportunity.” he added.

The Disability Statistics Compendium reports statistics pertaining to people with all types of disabilities every year.  Such statistics are often difficult to find because there are numerous government agencies that generate and publish many reports. As a result, specific disability statistics are often scattered or buried in documents and web sites all across the Federal government. AAPD works with the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability (UNH/IOD) to address these research problems in the effort to produce the Compendium, a project funded by the National Institute on Disability Research and Rehabilitation.

The 2011 Compendium serves as a reference guide for policymakers, compiling data on the prevalence of disability, employment participation, educational attainment and health status, federal expenditures, and state-level data.

Click here for more information about the Disability Statistics Compendium 

Click here for more information about UNH/IOD

For more information on AAPD, please visit http://www.aapd.com