Blog: America’s Social Security benefits to increase 7.1 percent in 2015 (Wall Street Journal, Oct. 22)
Americans who receive Social Security benefits will see a modest increase in their checks next year to cover higher consumer prices, according to the Social Security Administration. Retiree beneficiaries will see the first increase in their January payment. Those receiving Supplemental Security Income will see the increase starting December 31.
Blog: Fostering equality and opportunity for those with developmental disabilities (Huffington Post, Oct. 22)
[On October 23, Massachusetts] legislative leaders join[ed] Governor Patrick at Fenway Park to celebrate the passage of three bills, including one while enacts the ABLE provision.
Labor secretary: Shift away from subminimum wage an ‘example’ (Disability Scoop, Oct. 21)
U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez is hoping that states will follow the federal government’s lead in moving away from paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage.
How tech advances are helping innovators do more for people with disabilities (GeekWire, Oct. 21)
Today, most of the big tech companies — from Google to Yahoo — have teams dedicated to building out technology that is accessible to everyone.
Opinion: Pledging ‘I’m in to hire’ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Forbes, Oct. 21)
Some of the world’s largest companies have launched initiatives to hire individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For many businesses, it may have begun as a philanthropic project or public relations effort to repair their images in the community. But these employers, large and small, are amazed to find that hiring these individuals amount to far more than a feel-good gesture.
VA moves to prevent veteran violence over disability claims (National Journal, Oct. 21)
Veterans Affairs officials want to change when veterans can view some of their medical records online, fearing that some could become violent if they see negative comments and think their disability claims will be denied.
Feds warn schools on bullying of kids with disabilities (Disability Scoop, Oct. 21)
The U.S. Department of Education said in a “Dear Colleague” letter to educators Tuesday that schools are obligated under federal law to step in immediately when bullying of students with disabilities is suspected and act to halt attacks and prevent any recurrence.
Blog: For children with Autism, opening a door to dental care (The New York Times, Oct. 20)
Parents of children with special needs have long struggled to find dentists who will treat them.
Federal disability reaches ‘end of the tracks’ in 2016 if Congress doesn’t act (AL.com, Oct. 19)
Alabama, more than most states, depends on federal disability payments to support an ailing workforce. But those federal checks stand to run out if Congress doesn’t act before 2016.
Aging in America: Stuck in the middle (CBS News, Oct. 19)
Senior citizens whose finances fall in the middle – not rich, not poor – can find themselves in a real bind if they need home care. And their loved ones can find themselves caught in the middle as well… “In the middle”: Not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid (which, unlike Medicare, does cover many long-term care expenses), and not rich enough to pay for long-term care.
The biggest backlog in the federal government (The Washington Post, Oct. 18)
In an obscure corner of the federal bureaucracy, there is an office that is 990,399 cases behind. That is Washington’s backlog of backlogs…
Issue brief: Benefits and cost-sharing for working people with disabilities in Medicaid and the Marketplace (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Oct. 15)
Access to affordable health insurance with adequate coverage of key benefits is essential to the ability of people with disabilities to seek and maintain employment. As their income fluctuates, people may migrate between Medicaid and Marketplace coverage, and because different rules apply in these two programs, they may face changes in their benefits and out-of-pocket responsibilities as a consequence.
Disability lawsuits against small businesses soar (The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 15)
Small-business owners face a growing number of disability access lawsuits in the wake of a recent appeals-court ruling giving rise to disabled “testers,” as well as the release of detailed federal specifications for curb ramps, self-opening doors and other standards.