The Kessler foundation and the National Organization on Disability released its survey looking at quality of life measures for persons with disabilities. http://www.2010disabilitysurveys.org/pdfs/surveyresults.pdf
The survey shows where the ADA has generated progress and where there are still significant gaps between Americans with and without disabilities. Employment of persons with disabilities still lags far behind employment of persons without disabilities. Consequently, household income and those areas where income significantly affects participation also lag behind. According to the report the gaps between Americans with and without disabilities show that persons with disabilities were much more negatively affected by the economic recession. No surprise there!
Disability policy in this country mandates that persons with disabilities impoverish themselves in order to qualify for critical services that are not covered under traditional insurance. In order to regain financial independence, we have a longer way to go than those without disabilities. While there are well-intended patches to this system, there is little likelihood these patches will result in great changes. A total overhaul of disability policy is in order.
The survey did show a couple of areas of progress; There has been improvement in the numbers of Americans with disabilities who have attained educational levels that should result in improved employment outcomes and there has also been an improvement in political participation by persons with disabilities. Both of those areas of improvement bode well for the future.
Read the full study to see where the ADA has been effective and where we still have lots of work to do.
Annette Bourbonniere
401-846-1960
Fax: 401-846-1944
Twitter: @AccessInclude
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