Policy

Voting should be a stress-free experience. Most people would probably agree that all aspects of voting, including registering to vote, researching the candidates and issues, and casting a ballot, should be accessible to people with disabilities. And thanks to years of effort from disability advocates, there are more accessible voting options than ever before. But unfortunately, barriers to voting persist for disabled people across America.

When disabled people choose to vote in-person, best practices in accessibility are often not fully utilized due to a lack of training and education. Poll workers are often not trained on how to use accessible voting devices, and some demonstrate microaggressions and implicit biases against voters with disabilities. Many disabled people are unable to drive, and for them, getting transportation to the polling place can be a challenge. [continue reading…]

All United States citizens are encouraged to make their voices heard on Election Day. Unfortunately, people with disabilities face a variety of challenges when registering to vote, getting involved in political campaigns, casting a ballot, and running for office. Poll workers are often inadequately trained in operating accessibility features on voting machines. People who receive Social Security Disability Insurance can be penalized for running for office. If a disabled candidate runs and wins, the offices in which they are expected to serve their constituents are sometimes inaccessible. Aiming to remove some of these barriers and give disabled American voters an equitable opportunity to have their voices heard, Representatives Madeline Dean (PA-04) and Mary Gay Scalon (PA-05) introduced the following three bills to the House, with Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introducing companion bills to the Senate. [continue reading…]

Frank Liang

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal assistance program that provides financial help to low-income disabled individuals and those older than 65. SSI was created after President Richard Nixon signed the Social Security Amendments of 1972 and officially went into effect in 1974. The amount an individual receives depends on their level of income and the resources they have available, such as money in their bank accounts.

Although SSI does help many people who are disabled or elderly, it puts a stranglehold on their economic and professional advancement. Individuals who receive SSI are not allowed to have more than $2,000 in assets at any given time. If two people who receive SSI get married, instead of them each being allowed to have $2,000 in assets, they as a couple are only allowed to have $3,000 combined. This puts a strain on many people’s livelihoods, and makes it more difficult for people wanting to transition out of SSI, save money, or get married.

When SSI was first passed in 1974, the original asset limits were $1,500 for individuals and $2,000 for couples. They increased to the current limits in 1989 and have not changed since. Thanks to inflation, everything from housing to food has gotten more expensive in the past 35 years, and so these limits make it difficult for people like me to save money and live independently. [continue reading…]

Millions of low-income people with disabilities and older adults receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) each month. For these recipients, SSI is a vital source of income that pays for rent, food, transportation, and other living expenses. However, people who receive SSI are trapped in a cycle of enforced poverty. To receive SSI, an individual may have no more than $2,000 in savings at any given time. If a person works part-time or sporadically, their income plus SSI benefits may easily put them over the $2,000 asset limit. This disincentivizes working and saving money.  If two people who both receive SSI get married, they are not each allowed to have $2,000 in assets; they are only allowed to have $3,000 between them. This is known as the “marriage penalty,” because it prevents many couples who receive SSI from getting married. The extremely low asset limits prevent low-income people with disabilities and older adults from working, saving, and getting married.

The bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act would increase the SSI asset limits from $2,000 to $10,000 for unmarried individuals and eliminates the marriage penalty by allowing two SSI recipients to get married and have up to $20,000 in assets as a couple. The bill also requires asset limits to be adjusted yearly to keep up with the cost of living.

How can you help?

In our efforts to ensure that this bill passes through Congress, please contact your Senators and your Member of the House of Representatives to encourage them to sponsor the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. Every call and every voice make a difference!

The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) has been introduced. This bill aims to eliminate certificates that allow employers to pay individuals with disabilities below minimum wage. Over the next five years, we would see a significant shift towards fair wages for all individuals, regardless of their disability status. If passed, this legislation will provide grants and technical assistance to states and employers who currently pay their employees subminimum wage. With this support, businesses can transition their models to competitive, integrated employment, an important step towards creating a more equitable society.

How can you help?

In our efforts to ensure that this bill passes through Congress, please contact your Senators and your Member of the House of Representatives to encourage them to sponsor the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. Every call and every voice make a difference!

On February 6, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it will retain the current American Community Survey (ACS) disability questions for 2025 and work closely with stakeholders in the disability community to ensure that future questions better account for the various types and levels of disability.

In October 2023, the Census Bureau had suggested modifying the questions about disability in the survey, which was likely to significantly undercount of the disability population.

In response to proposed changes, RespectAbility, alongside other disability organizations, asked for your help to tell the Census Bureau to stop the proposed changes and consult with the disability community. The Census Bureau received more than 12,000 public comments regarding the proposed changes to the ACS. Your voice made a difference! Thank you for your support!

With legislatures around the country in full swing, you may be headed to your state capitol or statehouse soon. Effectively communicating with a state legislator to advocate for a piece of legislation involves careful planning, clear communication, and maintaining a professional demeanor. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this process, from reaching out initially to following up. [continue reading…]

On February 8, Kansas joined the ranks of 15 other states that have already abolished or are in the process of phasing out subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities.

RespectAbility is pleased and encouraged that a bipartisan, cross-section of states is moving to ensure that people with disabilities are earning real pay for real work. We look forward to working to continue this momentum in all 50 states.

Is your state onboard? Check out the map and list of states that have abolished or are currently phasing out subminimum wage for people with disabilities! [continue reading…]

Monthly Employment Update for People with Disabilities

According to the latest National Trends In Disability Employment (nTIDE) report:

• The labor force participation rate for people with disabilities grew from 39.6% in January 2023 to 40.5% in January 2024. This continues an upward trend we have observed throughout the past year and remains close to the all-time highs. Workers without disabilities increased their labor force participation rate from 76.8% in January 2023 to 77.3% in January 2024.
• The employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities rose from 36.7% in January 2023 to 37.8% in January 2024. For people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio increased from 73.9% to 74.2%.

Unemployment Rate

According to the US Department of Labor (DOL) disability employment statistics, the unemployment rate of people without a disability rose slightly to 4% from 3.4% in the previous month, within the range of 3-5% deemed healthy by most economists. The unemployment rate amongst those with a disability is more than one and a half times higher at 6.5%.