Policy

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Spotlight  

Did you know that 44% of companies in the US don’t allow remote work? These companies are missing out on a reliable, skilled, and motivated talent pool, people with disabilities. Earlier this year, our Senior Policy Advisor, Matan Koch, moderated a webinar called Presenting the Business Case For Disability Inclusion Within Your Organization. This presentation highlighted the positive contributions that people with disabilities bring to an organization and is an excellent resource for companies looking to recruit from a diverse, underutilized talent pool. [continue reading…]

Since 1971, the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton, Massachusetts has served as an institution for individuals with developmental disabilities. To help patents stop dangerous behaviors, the center uses aversive therapy, in which a patient experiences a form of discomfort given by a therapist if the patient engages in perceived inappropriate behaviors. The goal is for the patient to recognize that continued occurrences of such behaviors will result in further exposure to the discomfort given by the therapist, leading them to stop the behavior.

But the Judge Rotenberg center is the only one in the country that performs aversive therapy using a device known as the Graduated Electronic Decelerator (GED). The device is usually worn by a patient on their bodies and, if the patient is exhibiting behaviors the staff deems inappropriate, an electric shock is administered from the device to the patient via a remote control.

The center states the device is only used as a last resort if a patient continues to engage in “self-injurious or violent behavior” after prior attempts at prevention have failed. But several incidents at the center have come to light demonstrating that usage of the device is ineffective at reducing harmful behaviors, left lasting physical and psychological scars on patients, and has often been used as an initial form of treatment. [continue reading…]

Every year, the Rehabilitation Services Administration engages in a reallotment process for the Federal fiscal year, both for vocational rehabilitation funding and for the State Supported Employment Services (Supported Employment) program. This means that every year, even though there are tens of thousands of people going without services, unspent funds are moved from their original state of allocation to another state.

In supported employment alone, 13 state agencies relinquished almost $2.5 million in supported employment funds, up from under $2 million in FY 2022. The relinquishment means that for 13 populations, some of the unserved folks were unserved because their programs lacked the capacity to properly spend the funds to serve them. Learn whether your state agency is relinquishing funds in the chart below. Engage with the agencies in your state to learn what you can do to help, from writing to your state or federal politicians to mobilizing your local disability community. [continue reading…]

RespectAbility’s federal policy advocacy is often done in coalition, ensuring the input of people with disabilities and the power of the disability community at large is appreciated at the federal level. Check out our latest advocacy highlights working in partnership with the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities:

Designating People with Disabilities as a Health Disparity Population

We urged the National Institutes of Health to formally designate people with disabilities as a health disparity population. This proposal would help to reduce health disparities and promote health equity for people with disabilities. This would also align with broader efforts to promote equity for those who are multiply marginalized. [continue reading…]

Spotlight on Service Dogs

September is National Service Dog Awareness Month. Did you know that 500,000 service dogs are tasked with helping their disabled partners every day in the United States? This month and every month, we celebrate the service animals that help our community live more independently and fully participate in all aspects of community.

Monthly Employment Update for People with Disabilities

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

In August 2023, the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities continued to surge to an all-time high of 41.2% compared to 37.6% in August 2022. This continues the substantial growth from last year in the labor force participation rate for people with disabilities as we work towards closing the gap between workers with and without disabilities. Workers without disabilities also increased their labor force participation rate, which was 77.5% in August 2022 and rose to 78.2% in August 2023. [continue reading…]

Advocating for the disability community takes our policy team all over the country and the Indianapolis State Capitol is only the latest stop for State Policy Manager Jimmy Fremgen!

Jimmy was in Indy for the 2023 Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures and met with legislators and potential policy partners from across the United States, in addition to spending time with the Indiana legislature’s host delegation, where he raised top priorities:

Nothing about us, without us.

Our policy team is pushing hard for every legislative decision that impacts the disability community to include those with disabilities in the decision-making. [continue reading…]

According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of Americans 75 or older and 24% of Americans aged 65 to 74 report having a disability.

On August 21st each year, Americans recognize the contributions of older adults in all aspects of society as part of Senior Citizens Day. Older adults contribute significantly to the American economy, with around 22% donating $1,000 or more each year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that seniors account for 20-25 hours of unpaid labor in the home every week. Seniors also vote historically at a rate higher than other groups. We celebrate the contributions of older adults with disabilities to society on this awareness day and every other day of the year. [continue reading…]

Veterans with Disabilities

According to the U.S. Census, veterans who served after September 11th have a 43% chance of acquiring a disability. At the same time, only 27% and 16% respectively of Gulf War and Vietnam War Veterans had a service-connected disability. Veterans serving in “peacetime” had a 9% chance of acquiring a service-related disability.

Our former Policy Fellow Roy Payan is a proud veteran with a disability. Roy acquired a visual impairment overseas, and when he returned, he learned to be independent with a new set of skills. Roy sought his independence through education, where he would face new challenges and barriers, including discrimination and ableism while completing his degree. Roy fought discrimination by taking his case to the courts for resolution.

Roy is not alone. Nearly two in three student veterans share that they have a disability and have faced barriers. It is essential to ensure that all people with disabilities have a path to the life they want. [continue reading…]

Suad Bisogno

RespectAbility is proud to be a member of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), a national organization that promotes the importance of community-integrated employment for people with disabilities. In early June, Wally Tablit, Senior Director for Leadership and Workforce Development, and I attended APSE’s annual conference in Columbus, Ohio, where we met with leaders from across the country. After the conference, I was able to follow up with APSE board member and disability employment leader, Suad Bisogno, CEO of Integrated Resources Institute. Explore our conversation about employment first policy and some of the crucial issues facing Suad’s home state of California. [continue reading…]