News
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH: NIH designates people with disabilities as a population with health disparities
By SD Network, 2023-09-26
The National Institutes of Health recently designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities. People with disabilities often experience a wide and varying range of health conditions leading to poorer health and shorter lifespan. In addition, discrimination, inequality and exclusionary structural practices, programs and policies inhibit access to timely and comprehensive health care, which further results in poorer health outcomes. People with disabilities who also belong to one or more other populations with health disparities fare even worse.
The National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities rejected a plan earlier this month to designate those with disabilities as a health disparity population. The move came as a blow to advocates who saw the label as a way to help chip away at discrimination experienced regularly in the medical field. Disability advocates are asking the Biden administration to step in after a government advisory panel squashed plans to put more resources toward addressing the persistent disparities people with disabilities face in the healthcare system.
THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY: 7 disability advocates talk about accessibility and ableism outdoors
By SD Network, 2023-09-22
People with disabilities often face obstacles or unwelcoming environments when they try to use outdoor spaces. A growing movement of disability advocates and online communities is actively working to challenge these barriers and promote inclusivity in outdoor recreation.
A farm in Fredonia, Wisconsin hires adults with disabilities. "Farm fellows" run a local farmers market at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. They grow, harvest, and package all of the food sold.
Review a new annual snapshot of the direct care workforce, including its demographics, occupational roles, job quality challenges, and projected job openings. The report includes detailed overviews of three segments of this workforce: home care workers, residential care aides, and nursing assistants in nursing homes.
19th NEWS: Marriage could mean losing life-saving benefits for people with disabilities. So they’re protesting.
By SD Network, 2023-09-16
Disability advocates are staging a mass commitment ceremony on the National Mall in an effort to raise awareness about marriage penalties. Currently, if someone who is receiving disability benefits gets married, their benefits significantly decrease or sometimes the person loses them. If both persons in the relationship receive benefits, the couple's benefits get significantly cut it they choose to legally marry.
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The ability to participate in our democracy by voting in elections is a foundational right of citizenship that we cherish as Americans. No adult should be denied this right because of their age or ability. This principle is clearly reflected in the Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting. ACL and the disability and aging networks are working together to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities can exercise their right to vote. ACL's programs provide a variety of resources, including information and education, supportive services and legal assistance. They also work with their states and communities to improve access to the voting process. This includes a number of grants funded through the Help America Vote Act. As Disability Voting Rights Week comes to a close, we wanted to share ACL’s recently updated voting resource "hub." This page includes a variety of resources to support disabled people and older adults in exercising their right to vote. |
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ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Input Needed on Updating NIH Mission Statement
By SD Network, 2023-09-14
- Current mission statement: “To seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.”
- Proposed revised mission statement: “To seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to optimize health and prevent or reduce illness for all people.”
- Feedback on whether the proposed new mission statement reflects the goals and objectives as outlined in the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025.
- Suggestions for specific language that could be added to the proposed mission statement and why.
- Feedback on any specific language that could be removed from the proposed mission statement and why.
All comments must be submitted electronically on the submission website. Responses must be received by November 24, 2023.
Please direct any questions to RFIMissionStatement@nih.gov.
HEALTH AFFAIRS: How Medicaid Home And Community Based Services And Supports Can Chart Pathways To Independence
By SD Network, 2023-09-10
Every year, Medicaid spends more than $200 billion on long-term services and supports (LTSS) for people with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Historically, over 80% of these funds were spent on institutional care in long-term care facilities. But, over the past thirty-plus years, in response to escalating LTSS expenditures and consumer preferences, both the federal and state governments have pushed to deliver more LTSS in the home and community. Indeed, since 1981 federal waivers offered states the option of providing home and community based services (HCBS) as an alternative to institutional care. As shown in this report, efforts have been successful, with nearly 60% of all LTSS spending now being on HCBS.
WKOW.COM: 'Patients want to be at home': UW Health launches home-based care program
By SD Network, 2023-09-10
Some patients can now get the same care at home as they would at the hospital. The Home-Based Hospital Care program, which began in July, allows patients to stay in a more comfortable place. They get to eat their favorite foods, sleep in their own beds, spend time with loved ones and pets, and stay more active. Though the program only serves four patients at a time, it may expand to help more than 300 patients a year by 2024.