News
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Texas A&M Launches State’s First Inclusive 4-Year College Program for Students with Disabilities
Jesse Fryburg on 08/01/2019by Char Adams (via People Magazine) Texas A&M University is opening the door to higher education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities — making history as the first program of its kind in the state. The school has vowed to help students with disabilities realize their dreams of becoming Aggies with a four-year post-secondary […]
The post Texas A&M Launches State’s First Inclusive 4-Year College Program for Students with Disabilities appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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NOD Meets with Six U.S. Senators to Focus Attention on Increasing Employment Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities
Amber Cecil on 08/01/2019“Increasing the employment of people with disabilities is a bipartisan issue and I greatly appreciate Gov. Ridge’s efforts to secure support for my Transformation to Competitive Employment Act,” Senator Casey stated. “Increasing the number of people with disabilities in competitive integrated employment will not only increase their economic self-sufficiency, it will also make our labor force stronger.”
The post NOD Meets with Six U.S. Senators to Focus Attention on Increasing Employment Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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NOD Statement on the 29th Anniversary of the ADA
Amber Cecil on 07/26/2019When he signed the ADA into law, President George H.W. Bush delivered a purposeful message to corporate America saying, “You have in your hands the key to the success of this Act, for you can unlock a splendid resource of untapped human potential that, when freed, will enrich us all.”
The post NOD Statement on the 29th Anniversary of the ADA appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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George H.W. Bush wanted more for people with disabilities
Amber Cecil on 07/23/2019OPINION BY GOV. TOM RIDGE, NOD CHAIRMAN | When commemorative events are held this week to recognize the anniversary of the ADA — the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act — it will be the first such anniversary without the man arguably most responsible for its existence. The nation lost President George H.W. Bush last November. As vice president under Ronald Reagan, and later as president, he personally championed and eventually signed the ADA into law in July 1990. Later in life, when President Bush used a wheelchair himself, he considered the civil rights legislation among his greatest accomplishments.
The post George H.W. Bush wanted more for people with disabilities appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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Apple announces ‘disability-themed emojis’ to arrive in the fall
Amber Cecil on 07/17/2019“These new emojis will enable one billion people with disabilities around the world to more fully and authentically express themselves,” NOD’s director of external affairs, Priyanka Ghosh, said in a statement to NBC News. “Perhaps corporate America can also seize upon these new icons to embed disability seamlessly into their everyday lexicons, enabling employees to better communicate with each other and build more disability-inclusive cultures.”
The post Apple announces ‘disability-themed emojis’ to arrive in the fall appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
Affordable Care ActThe Impact on Special Needs Trusts
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law puts in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will roll out over four years and beyond.
The ACA removes lifetime limits on health benefits and creates new coverage options for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Colorado later approved Medicaid Expansion for individuals under 65 years of age with income below 133 percent of the federal poverty level (Approximately $15,000 for an individual), which began January 2014. There is currently no asset test for this program.
What is NOT changing with the implementation of the ACA? (Why a Trust is still needed)
The Medicaid Waiver Program will remain the only real benefit program that will cover significant custodial home care services for people with disabilities.
Long-term care in Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Facilities will still be paid by Medicaid when an individual does not have Long-Term Care Insurance, or income/resources to privately pay.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue to have a resource limit of $2,000 for individuals.
When a Trust May Not Be Needed
When an individual who meets the income requirements for Medicaid Expansion and does NOT need Long-Term Care or a Waiver program receives a windfall (PI Settlement, Back-payment in SSA, Inheritance), as there is no asset test for the Medicaid Expansion Service.
Individuals need to evaluate their eligibility for other programs such as LEAP, Food Stamps, etc.
Individuals need to evaluate the other benefits of placing funds in a Special Needs Trust, like:
- Budgeting – CFPD provides a plan for spending or saving to reflect your goals
- Protection from exploitation.
- CFPD provides a link to a network of community partners and resources.
So what are my next steps?
Consult with an attorney who is well-versed in the Affordable Care Act.
Call CFPD to discuss your individual situation. Our staff have been trained in the ACA and follow the implementation of new services and the impact of SNTs.
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Texas A&M Launches State’s First Inclusive 4-Year College Program for Students with Disabilities
Jesse Fryburg on 08/01/2019by Char Adams (via People Magazine) Texas A&M University is opening the door to higher education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities — making history as the first program of its kind in the state. The school has vowed to help students with disabilities realize their dreams of becoming Aggies with a four-year post-secondary […]
The post Texas A&M Launches State’s First Inclusive 4-Year College Program for Students with Disabilities appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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NOD Meets with Six U.S. Senators to Focus Attention on Increasing Employment Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities
Amber Cecil on 08/01/2019“Increasing the employment of people with disabilities is a bipartisan issue and I greatly appreciate Gov. Ridge’s efforts to secure support for my Transformation to Competitive Employment Act,” Senator Casey stated. “Increasing the number of people with disabilities in competitive integrated employment will not only increase their economic self-sufficiency, it will also make our labor force stronger.”
The post NOD Meets with Six U.S. Senators to Focus Attention on Increasing Employment Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
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NOD Statement on the 29th Anniversary of the ADA
Amber Cecil on 07/26/2019When he signed the ADA into law, President George H.W. Bush delivered a purposeful message to corporate America saying, “You have in your hands the key to the success of this Act, for you can unlock a splendid resource of untapped human potential that, when freed, will enrich us all.”
The post NOD Statement on the 29th Anniversary of the ADA appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
-
George H.W. Bush wanted more for people with disabilities
Amber Cecil on 07/23/2019OPINION BY GOV. TOM RIDGE, NOD CHAIRMAN | When commemorative events are held this week to recognize the anniversary of the ADA — the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act — it will be the first such anniversary without the man arguably most responsible for its existence. The nation lost President George H.W. Bush last November. As vice president under Ronald Reagan, and later as president, he personally championed and eventually signed the ADA into law in July 1990. Later in life, when President Bush used a wheelchair himself, he considered the civil rights legislation among his greatest accomplishments.
The post George H.W. Bush wanted more for people with disabilities appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
-
Apple announces ‘disability-themed emojis’ to arrive in the fall
Amber Cecil on 07/17/2019“These new emojis will enable one billion people with disabilities around the world to more fully and authentically express themselves,” NOD’s director of external affairs, Priyanka Ghosh, said in a statement to NBC News. “Perhaps corporate America can also seize upon these new icons to embed disability seamlessly into their everyday lexicons, enabling employees to better communicate with each other and build more disability-inclusive cultures.”
The post Apple announces ‘disability-themed emojis’ to arrive in the fall appeared first on National Organization on Disability.
