News

In a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC reports findings from a comparison of data on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations from January 2020 to November 2021 for two groups of Medicare beneficiaries:

• Adults (of any age) who were initially eligible for Medicare due to disability (“disability-eligible beneficiaries”).  
• Beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare when they turned 65 (“age-eligible beneficiaries”).

(People who became eligible for Medicare due to disability but who had reached the age of 65 were counted only in the disability-eligible group; nearly half of the disability-eligible beneficiaries were over the age of 65.)  

CDC found:

• Overall, incidence and hospitalization rates were significantly higher for disability-eligible beneficiaries than for age-eligible beneficiaries.
  • The overall incidence rate was 35 percent higher for disability-eligible beneficiaries
  • The overall hospitalization rate was nearly 50 percent higher for disability-eligible beneficiaries.
  • The one exception was for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) beneficiaries; rates were higher for age-eligible AI/AN beneficiaries than for disability-eligible AI/AN beneficiaries.
• The differences in hospitalization rates are even more stark for people 65 and older.
  • For people ages 65-74, the hospitalization rate for disability-eligible beneficiaries was more than two and a half times that of people without disabilities.
  • Disability-eligible beneficiaries ages 75-84 were nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized than their age-eligible peers.
• For both groups:
  • Hospitalization rates were highest for AI/AN beneficiaries, followed closely by Black and then Hispanic beneficiaries.
  • Incidence rates also were highest for AI/AN beneficiaries, followed by Hispanic and then Black beneficiaries.
  • Both incidence and hospitalization rates increased with age .

It’s important to note that the report findings cannot be extrapolated to say that all people with disabilities are at higher risk of hospitalization than older adults.

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Wisconsin voters with disabilities continue to be concerned about the ability to vote in upcoming elections. In previous elections, people with disabilities could have another person drop off their absentee ballot if they couldn't get to the polls or drop off places. However, a court ruling January states that people must drop off their own ballot. The case is now awaiting a decision from the Wisconsin Supreme Court which is expected very soon. 

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish minimum standards and requirements for projects funded under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. These minimum standards will help ensure a national electric vehicle (EV) charging network that is user-friendly, reliable, and accessible to all people and interoperable between different charging companies with similar payment systems, pricing information, charging speeds, and more. FHWA invites interested persons to submit comments on any aspect of the information collection in the published notice.

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• Each order will include two rapid-antigen tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.
• Orders will ship free, while supplies last.  

• Ordering tests.
• Understanding instructions for test administration and test results.
• Providing alternative instructions for traditional at-home tests for people who are unable to access, read, or understand the manufacturer’s version.
• For those who cannot use an at-home test, DIAL operators can:
  • Assist with ordering “swab and send” kits to collect a sample and mail it back for results.
  • Connect callers to local organizations for assistance locating other testing options in their community, including in-home testing programs or transportation or companion support to visit a community-based testing site.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law almost 32 years ago, but, yet, there are several public places that still aren't accessible--especially streets and sidewalks. A study found that pedestrian wheelchair users are 30% more likely to be killed in crashes than non-wheelchair users. Their research found that 65% of curb ramps and 48% of sidewalks across the country are not accessible. The team looked at over 400 government entities, and only 13% had ADA plans readily available; only seven of them met the minimum criteria. Advocates want the new infrastructure bill, which includes $11 billion for transportation safety programs, should be spent on curb ramps, sidewalks and roads designed to slow traffic to make crossing streets safer. 

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 Newsmakers Host Lisa Pugh will sat down with Patti Jo Becker, Community Living Alliance – Director of Operations, and Lynn Gall, WI Department of Health Services – Family Caregiver Support Programs Manager, to discuss workforce shortage and support for working caregivers. The Wisconsin workforce shortage is worsening in part due to a group of employees who are often overlooked: family caregivers. As baby boomers age out of their jobs and begin requiring care, it is often their grown children and spouses who are stepping in, balancing work and new responsibilities at home. A recent statewide survey shows more than eight in ten employed caregivers are reducing work hours or quitting work entirely. On this Newsmakers episode experts discuss survey results, tell us what employers are saying and share recommendations for improvement.

The National Council on Independent Living released its 2022 Advocacy Priorities Guide. This document contains specific information on the national legislative and policy priorities identified biannually by the NCIL membership, including funding for the Independent Living Program, healthcare and long-term care, housing, transportation, education, and more.

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Are you a person with a disability, ages 18 and up, working for an employer in the United States? If so, the Southwest ADA Center would like to hear from you. Many employers today offer programs and activities designed to improve the health and wellness of their employees. We would like to learn about the wellness programs that your employer offers and your experiences with them. Participant information will be kept anonymous. For more information or to participate in this survey please contact us at 832-708-869 or email: Megan.Gillespie@memorialhermann.org to schedule a brief interview via Zoom.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy in the Department of Labor has released a paper on the digital divide and disability. It discusses details in three main categories: employment outcomes, home internet subscriptions, and internet use. It entails data on each. Overall, people with disabilities use the Internet less than the average person. This could be due to many factors. 

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