HN 300 Unit 7 Seminar Disability Policy Madelyn Harvey, PhD Human Service and Social Policy

CHAPTER 6 DISABILITY POLICY FROM PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO CIVIL RIGHTS Slides developed by David H. Johnson Millersville University of Pennsylvania 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto A Fair Definition, A Fair Policy  Public policy typically uses binary definition, which fails to consider degree of disability  No consideration for individual’s self concept  Controversy over qualifications for benefits

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Public Assistance for the “Deserving Poor”  State programs pre-1935  Social Security Act included Aid to the Blind  Aid to Permanently and Totally Disabled added in 1950  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) enacted in 1972

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Supplemental Security Income (SSI)  Federalized adult categorical assistance programs  Replaced three programs:  Old Age Assistance  Aid to the Blind  Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto SSDI and SSI  Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is social insurance  Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a means- tested public assistance program  Elderly and disabled can receive SSI in addition to Social Security benefits

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Disability Determination  SSI Income and Asset Tests  Federal Definition of Disability is any physical or mental impairment which prevents an individual from engaging in any “substantial gainful activity ” (SGA).  SGA is defined by amount of earnings

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Appealing Decisions  Level 1: Reconsideration – different administrative team  Level 2: Administrative Law Judge hearing  Level 3: Appeals Council Review  Level 4: Civil suit in U.S. District Court

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto SSI Hot Spots  People with drug and alcohol problems  Legal Immigrants  Children and Older Adults  People who are homeless  Race

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Veterans Administration  Unlike SSI or SSDI, VA covers partial, permanent disability  Service-connected disability  Battlefield injuries  Disability incurred or aggravated while in service

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Disability and Work  Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)  Combined federal and state funds  States administer VR  State employment offices  Workforce Investment Act

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Removing Work Disincentives  Persons receiving benefits lose them if they work  Trial Work Period  Nine months of earnings over a 60 month period  Earnings of less than $720/ month (2010) after deducting work-related expenses

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)  Allows SSI recipients to save money to attend school or for business startup costs  Money saved must be from income other than SSI  Money saved is disregarded in calculating SSI benefits

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Civil Rights for Individuals with Disabilities  Deinstitutionalization  Independent Living Movement  Independent Living Centers

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto A New Bill of Rights  Air Carrier Access Act of 1986  Architectural Barriers Act of 1968  Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – Title V  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Disability Policy for Children  Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 1975  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)  No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Social Welfare: Politics and Public Policy, 7e DiNitto Discussion Questions  What is the history of disability policy?  What is the legal and social definition of disability?  Discuss the controversy over the definition of disability.  Explain Social Security Supplemental Income.