JFActivist

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

Disability Rights: A Global Grassroots Movement

via the Gazette (7.28.11):

Disability Rights: A Global Grassroots Movement

This month marks the anniversary of an important milestone in a global movement to improve the lives of millions of people, a movement with roots in small towns in Iowa and many other places...

Over the past 21 years, the movement has continued to grow and is now utilizing innovative methods to advance the effort.

Last month, the World Health Organization and the World Bank jointly published the first World Report on Disability. It describes more than 1 billion people worldwide living with a disability....

>>>For the Full Article

Creative Budget Solutions: Invest in Medicaid Buy-In Programs

From AAPD (7.8.11):

AAPD-Boston University Research Project Reveals Medicaid Buy-In Programs' Strengths

This spring AAPD partnered with the Knowledge Dissemination Project at Boston University in an effort to synthesize and disseminate research on the effectiveness of state Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) programs.  MBI programs allow people with disabilities to “purchase” Medicaid health insurance with a monthly premium.  Research synthesized at Boston University indicates that not only do Medicaid Buy-In programs help people with disabilities transition into employment by giving them access to affordable health options while working, but the programs have measurable impacts on state budgets.   Medicaid Buy-In programs increase income tax revenue, stimulate local economies, reduce demand for social services, and reduce medical expenditures and health costs.

AAPD has launched web resource center to provide information on the Medicaid Buy-In program and the results of the research.   At www.aapd.com/medicaidbuyin activists can learn about the success of the programs in that MBI enrollees earn more money, work more hours, contribute more taxes and rely less on food stamps that those with disabilities who are not enrolled.  Activists can also learn how to take action to advocate for program improvements which include clarifying program logistics, coordinating with SSI work incentive programs and limiting grace periods for enrollees.

Take Action

AAPD believes that information from the success and challenges of MBI programs should inform policy considerations about how best to facilitate increased earnings and employment for people with disabilities. AAPD will be circulating more information on this topic through the Justice For All blog at www.jfactivist.com in the months to come.

Spread the Word

Download the below resources to share with family members, clients, policy makers and service providers.

>>> For a Fact Sheet Medicaid Buy-In (Word)

>>> For the Medicaid Buy-In Research Summary (Word)

>>> For a Medicaid Buy-In PowerPoint of Highlights

>>> For the Full Medicaid Buy-In Report (Word)

Affordable Care Act to Improve Data Collection, Reduce Health Disparities

via HHS (6.29.11):

Affordable Care Act to improve data collection, reduce health disparities

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced new draft standards for collecting and reporting data on race, ethnicity, sex, primary language and disability status, and announced the administration’s plans to begin collecting health data on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) populations. Both efforts aim to help researchers, policy makers, health providers and advocates to identify and address health disparities afflicting these communities.

“Health disparities have persistent and costly affects for minority communities, and the whole country,” Secretary Sebelius said.  “Today we are taking critical steps toward ensuring the collection of useful national data on minority groups, including for the first time, LGBT populations.  The data we will eventually collect in these efforts will serve as powerful tools and help us in our fight to end health disparities.”

>>>For the Full Press Release

Australian Disability Delegates Confer with AAPD

From AAPD (6.6.11):

AAPD International Program:

Australian Disability Delegates Confer with AAPD

by Jenifer Simpson, AAPD Public Policy & Research 

Photo: (l-r) Jenifer Simpson, Margaret Bowen, Kim Roe, Helena Berger, and Raymond Bennett

On June 6, 2011 Helena Berger, AAPD’s Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, and Jenifer Simpson, Senior Director for Government Affairs, met with a delegation of three people from The Disability Trust from the Sydney area in Australia. Operating primarily in one of the six Australian states, New South Wales, this non-profit organization both delivers services and focuses on the human rights of people with disabilities.  Visiting AAPD were Margaret Bowen, CEO, Kim Roe, Executive Manager, and Raymond Bennett, an advisor.

The Disability Trust operates a variety of programs in their state. These include supported employment, respite care, in-home services including direct care workers, aids and toys for children with disabilities, and sports and recreation programs for people with disabilities, among others.  We learned from our visitors that Australia is moving toward a more voucher-like program and away from provider-controlled services for people with disabilities. Called the National Disability Scheme, the proposal is for a federal insurance program replacing the current state-based programs. The new approach is currently under review with a report due in July from the federal government’s Productivity Commission. Controversial issues include whether a new tax needs to be levied, at what level the scheme will be funded, and how it will be overseen.

Of Australia’s 22 million people -- in a country almost as big as the U.S. – about 20 per cent of Australians have a disability, or about 4 million people. This proportion is increasing, particularly as the population ages with 19.8 per cent of all males and 20.1 per cent of all females report having a disability.  Our Australian visitors pointed out that about 700,000 Australians receive a Disability Support Pension, somewhat like SSI in the U.S. They believe that the unemployment rate is between 7-8% for Australians with disabilities, compared to 4.5% for Australians without disabilities, although they noted that this rate is not tracked by their government.

Disability Trust staff were very interested in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) implementation and enforcement.  They were also very interested in AAPD’s leadership programs such as Disability Mentoring Day, Hearne Awards and our Summer Federal and Congressional interns program. They were also interested in how AAPD programs are supported by the private sector and our ongoing relationships with companies to ensure more accessibility and usability, more hiring of people with disabilities, and reducing stigmatization of people with disabilities. We discussed the AAPD Annual Gala and how that is a key event for the organization.  There was considerable discussion about the use of electronic social media to ensure national groups stay connected with their constituencies and how to engage and involve advocates in concerns.  The Disability Trust mentioned they used a cloud-based social networking tool, Ning, to support some of their advocacy and other work, including fundraising.   The meeting was very cordial and the Australian delegates said they would welcome all visitors who travel there.

Update on Australia’s National Disability Scheme at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/28/3150259.htm

More about The Disability Trust organization at http://www.disabilitytrust.org.au/

More about people with disabilities in Australia at http://australia.gov.au/people/people-with-disabilities

More about NING at http://www.ning.com/

If you have a question or concern, please write policy@aapd.com

New Bipartisan Report Reviews Medicaid's Effectiveness in Addressing Health Needs of Children and Adults with Disabilities

Via First Focus (6.13.11):

New Report Reveals Medicaid’s Enormous Success in Protecting Children & Vulnerable Populations

Today, with threats of serious budget cuts looming, a new report demonstrates the effectiveness of the Medicaid program in addressing the health and financial needs of children and other vulnerable populations.

The synthesis, entitled Medicaid Works: A Review of How Public Insurance Protects the Health and Finances of Children and Other Vulnerable Populations examines the program that, since its inception in 1965, has been serving as a lifeline to millions of our nation’s most seriously ill and impoverished citizens. Today, Medicaid is the source of coverage for more than one-third of all children and is the dominant source of long-term care financing for senior citizens in America.

Authored by Professors Leighton Ku and Christine Ferguson of the George Washington University and commissioned by First Focus, the report describes the enormous success of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in increasing health insurance coverage among children; strengthening access to medical, health, and developmental services; and safeguarding the finances of low-income families and individuals. The brief also explores the potential impact of the fiscal year 2012 budget resolution approved by the House of Representatives, which would block grant the Medicaid program. Such a proposal would end Medicaid as we know it- causing states to reduce enrollment, limit benefits, cut provider payments, and shift more costs onto the children and families who rely on public programs.

"In the midst of heated budget discussions, sometimes it is forgotten that Medicaid serves some of our neediest children, seniors, parents and people with disabilities, who have serious health problems and need access to affordable and efficient health care services,” said Dr. Leighton Ku, one of the report’s authors and a professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. “This paper helps to remind us of the many ways in which Medicaid has helped protect the health and finances of millions of needy Americans."

Additional key findings of the report include:

• Medicaid and CHIP are essential sources of coverage for individuals with serious health conditions. [from the summary of key findings] Since children with Medicaid are more likely than children with private coverage to be in poorer health or have serious health conditions, Medicaid’s benefit structure is designed to meet these complex health needs. A large number of serious health problems are more prevalent among children with Medicaid, including asthma, autism, dental and vision problems, ADHD, developmental delays, depression, and seizure disorders. Many of these areas are poorly covered under private insurance. Medicaid’s Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment requirement ensures that children are appropriately screened and treated, giving them the greatest promise to grow up to be healthy and productive adults. Adults and the elderly served by Medicaid are also in poorer health than others and need Medicaid’s health protection.

• Medicaid and CHIP are cost-effective. While Medicaid spending has risen due to the growing number of people who are in need of coverage, Medicaid per-capita expenditures have grown much less than private health insurance premiums and more slowly than overall health care growth.

• Medicaid and CHIP are pioneers for health system improvements. The Medicaid program gives states enormous flexibility to design their programs to meet their state’s needs with a majority of funding provided by the federal government....

>>> For a summary of key findings

>>> For the full report

>>> For the full press release

Study Finds Nearly 1 in 7 People on Earth Have a Disability

via NPR (6.9.11): 

Nearly 1 in 7 People on Earth is Disabled, Survey Finds

by Joanne Silberner

More than 1 billion people in the world are living with some sort of disability, according to a new international survey. That's about 15 percent of the world's population, or nearly one of every 7 people.

The numbers come from a joint effort by the World Health Organization and the World Bank. The last time anyone tried to figure out the prevalence of disabilities was back in the 1970s, when WHO figured it was about 10 percent. The current report suggests the 15 percent estimate will grow as the world's population ages.

Like the 1970s numbers, today's figures are at best an approximation. Many countries don't collect numbers carefully, and definitions of disability differ from place to place. The World Bank/WHO folks sought out tabulations of people who have trouble seeing, hearing, walking, remembering, taking care of themselves or communicating. Worldwide, the most common disability in people under the age of 60 is depression, followed by hearing and visual problems.

>>>For the Full Article...

 

How do you feel this study's findings will help organizations set priorities and implement programming that improves the lives of PWD? Please share your thoughts in comments below.

Call for Proposals: Promoting Health and Wellness of Women with Disabilities

via the American Psychological Association (6.10.11):

Call for Proposals

Inequity to Equity: Promoting Health and Wellness of Women with Disabilities

October 17-18, 2011 in Washington, DC

The American Psychological Association invites submissions of proposals for an interactive, interdisciplinary conference, “Inequity to Equity: Promoting Health and Wellness of Women with Disabilities”. 

We seek proposals for poster presentations, papers, and symposia regarding women with disabilities that address the following topics: Health Disparities and Equity; Access to Healthcare; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Reproductive Health and Sexual Health; Psychosocial Health; Interpersonal Violence and Violence Prevention; Disability across the Lifespan; and Legal Guidance and Public Policy. 

The conference is cosponsored with the Howard University Women’s Health Institute and Gallaudet University and will be held at the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC on October 17 - 18, 2011.

By promoting the exchange of knowledge and information among psychologists, other health care providers, researchers, educators, policymakers, women with disabilities and advocates, this conference aims to foster an integrated health care agenda that will improve health outcomes for women with disabilities. 

Call for Proposals deadline is July 8, 2011.

The online submission form and guidelines for submission can be found at:

http://www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/disabilities-conference/index.aspx

Special Education Being Impacted by Poor Economy, CEC Calls on Congress to Protect Funding

via The Council for Exceptional Children (6.6.11): 

CEC Calls On Congress to Preserve Special Education Funding; Survey Finds Special Education Impacted by Poor Economy

A survey conducted by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) – the largest international organization of professionals who work on behalf of children and youth with disabilities and gifts and talents – in collaboration with the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), a division of CEC, reveals the poor economy is negatively impacting special education.

92% of respondents state there is – or is anticipated in the near future – an increased strain on the availability of services for students with disabilities, meaning that the poor economy is making it increasingly difficult to provide services and supports to students with disabilities...

 These survey results demonstrate that school districts across the nation are struggling to meet the needs of students with disabilities while confronting very difficult economic times…

CEC has been effectively advocating for maintaining and increasing funding for special education:

…In February, CEC and its members fended off efforts by the House of Representatives to cut IDEA Part B by over $500 million. Unfortunately, this funding was restored to IDEA by taking funding from two other important education programs: school improvement and professional development grants. CEC opposes any effort to take from one education program to fund another…

Join CEC in preserving special education funding by visiting CEC’s Legislative Action Center!

>>>To Read CEC’s Full Report…

 

How is the poor economy's impact on special education being felt in your area? Share your thoughts in comments below. 

Walgreens Wins Big with Disability Employment Program

via DCvelocity.com (6.6.11):

Walgreens wins big with unique employment program

by Peter Bradley

...Randy Lewis, senior vice president of distribution and logistics for Walgreens, was the driving force behind Walgreens' extraordinary program to employ people with disabilities at its DC in Anderson, S.C. We first wrote about that effort in October 2007. In that story, we noted that Walgreens had committed to the plan even before selecting a site for the facility. And it was never seen as a short-term initiative or social experiment. Walgreens' decision to locate in Anderson was largely driven by the area's sizeable labor pool of disabled workers and the support services needed to help them succeed. "We wanted a sustainable model," Lewis said at the time.

And sustainable it has been. Today, workers with disabilities make up 40 percent of the work force at the Anderson DC, performing the same work as their more typically abled co-workers for the same pay. Walgreens has expanded the program to other facilities, most recently to its newest DC in Connecticut. And the Walgreens example has inspired other companies, including Lowes, Best Buy, Meijer, and Sears, to make similar efforts...

>>>For the Full Article...

 

How can the Walgreen's employment program for PWD serve as a model for other companies seeking to promote inclusivity and diversity?  Share your thoughts in comments below.