The Importance Of Providing Better Assessments For Adults With Disabilities

Disability has been a difficult topic of society for years. Many people find discomfort in the presence of the disabled and many feel pity for those who are disabled. Back in the 1800s, the disabled were perceived as unable to contribute to society, often forced to undergo sterilization, and forced into institutions and asylums (“A Brief History”). In fact, this treatment of the disabled and mentally ill has been persistent until somewhat recently, when the Civil Rights movement took place, and those with disabilities decided to take a stand for their rights. Although people with disabilities continue to face difficulties in finding jobs, legitimizing their opinion, having the right to vote, and choosing whether or not they receive or refuse

Federal policy has attempted to address the issue of discrimination in housing choice with the enactment of the Fair Housing Act (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2010). In fact, “in 1988, the Fair Housing Act expanded protection to include persons with mental and physical disabilities” (Ziaja, 2002, p. 313) in an effort to thwart discrimination in housing choice for disabled individuals. Ziaja (2002) noted that the enactment of the Fair Housing legislation has led to other federal policies dedicated to ensuring the rights of disabled individuals, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); however, disabled adults continue to experience discrimination in housing

The workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act created the Independent Living Administration. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are “advocacy-driven organizations that are run by and for people with disabilities (p.3).” CILs wants to see people with disabilities valued equally, and capable of doing anything in society without discrimination. One of the things to help achieve their envision to participate fully is by their core service by WIOA which is called Transition. This service helps the transitions from nursing homes to community-based residencies, the ones at risk of entering institutions, and the youth with significant disabilities.

Persons with disabilities from minority communities have higher unemployment rate and little access to services than non-minority communities. While presenting the National Council on Disability findings, Leung & Wright, (1993) in their report to the President and Congress stated that persons with disabilities as a group “are more at risk, have fewer personal and family resources, have less knowledge and understanding of externally available resources, and fare less well socioeconomically than do minorities without disabilities” (Leung & Wright, (1993 p.

Research and Training Center on Independent Living. (1993). Guidelines for reporting and  writing about people with disabilities (4th ed.) [Brochure].  Lawrence, KS: Author.

Developmentally disabled individuals for many years were not assured the basic rights afforded nondisabled people. People with mental disabilities and illnesses were relegated to the status of second-class citizens, and therefore few services were provided to aid in improving their daily lives. Nonetheless, many families of mentally disabled children continued to raise them in their own homes”

4)Long-term outcomes “Independence and a higher salary for individuals with disabilities will reduce the financial burdens and stress for family members and caregivers,” the following must be met to achieve this outcome.

In June 1999, the United States Supreme Court affirmed a judgment in the Olmstead case, which regards two individuals with mental and cognitive disabilities living in a state operated institution, who claimed a right to care in an integrated setting based on the guarantees under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). As a response, Texas implemented the Texas Promoting Independence Plan. The goal of this plan is to ensure that the state’s long-term services and supports system (i.e. HCS) effectively fosters independence for all individuals who have a disability and provides opportunities for individuals to have a quality of life in the setting of their choice (HHSC 2012). Today, individuals who choose to reside in the community are able to maintain their independence with the assistance of community-based services. For instance, when Marisa received her slot for community-based services, she also received the supports she needed to remain living at home and do the things she wants to do including volunteering, giving back to the community and doing the everyday things she needs to do to be independent (ADA). The cost of not increasing funding for the interest list denies the rights of individuals who are both mentally and physically at a disadvantage compared to most of us. The benefit of increasing funding gives individuals a voice to choose their independence in a community setting and provides equal opportunity.

Veterans Benefits was evaluated due to a push for independent living that encouraged disabled Americans to leave the hospitals and institutions. A proposed change in 1978 gave way for a need to examine the issues facing disabled civilians in society and in public places. The goal was to bring people out of the confinements of their homes and into the community (Haugen, 2008). Many of these individuals were capable of becoming participating members of society which would in turn alleviate the growing problem of disabled veterans returning from war. The population reached a level critical level of overcrowding and inadequate care and inaccessible care for some. The development of plans for transportation and public facilities was an essential tool to propel the rights and needs of the disabled to the forefront. A continued focus helped initiate the 1988 Fair Housing Amendment Act to alleviate the discrimination issues of the disabled (Haugen, 2008). The powerful force created by the nation’s veterans helped enable the revision of the Rehabilitation Act to also include the civilians with disabilities. The formation of the ADA or Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 was groundbreaking in achieving change with regard the individual rights in all aspects of society. Haugen reports, “much of the language and philosophy used in the ADA is borrowed from section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act” (p. 40). The provisions of section 504 eliminate and prevent discrimination in public services and assure no disabled person is denied the benefit of public transportation (Haugen,

Many young adults with intellectual disabilities still live at home with their guardian(s). While personal choice and over-protectiveness plays a role in that fact, the lack of housing for disabled adults is a key factor. Group homes, where several adults with disabilities will live together to form a functioning household with staff supervision, are closing down nationwide. Full-inclusion has come so far that it is beginning to threaten the independence of disabled adults by removing the idea of living with peer roommates. Instead, the model is going to host-homes, where a person with a disability can apply to live with a family or roommate who does not have a disability. In this case, it makes more sense to leave the young adult with his/her guardian(s) instead of uprooting their current existence. A regular paycheck from a job is almost rendered useless, due to the freeloading nature of “staying with mom and dad.” A guardian can state on the application for SSI whether he/she are providing shelter and food, which affects the monthly reward. It is simple to say shelter and food aren’t being provided, when he/she actually is, to try and receive a higher amount of monthly SSI reward. While there are guardian(s) who adhere to the rules and restrictions of SSI, there are those who do not and try to receive more monetary reward than what is actually deserved. Without the disabled

Kin with disabilities have An harder chance gaining entrance to lodging. Example: a over 2,800 doctor look assignments led from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010 ponder discovered. The individuals getting general population mental wellbeing administrations clinched alongside san diego were 30 times less averse will a chance

At the macrosystem level, several risk factors have been identified that include societal views devaluing the disabled, race/poverty, architectural barriers to escape and lack of accessibility to and in shelters (Fried, 2001; National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1996; Saxton et al., 2001). As a result of the negative stereotypes given to children and adults with physical disabilities, many laws were enacted; one in particular was the Disabilities Act of 1990. This act has contributed greatly to the elimination of architectural barriers and equal treatment for individuals with disabilities by making provisions for the physically disabled.

The empowerment model places importance on people with disabilities being an advocate of their own lives. I view this model as the opposite of the charity model in that we should encourage those with disabilities to stand up on their own two feet and be as independent as possible. This model encourages those with disabilities to show society that they are not helpless and not completely dependent. If we can emphasize those with disabilities to identify their own needs, rather than someone do it for them, then they can achieve a higher level of self-confidence and independence. This will then encourage a more positive public view of those with disabilities as being an integral part of our society.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, nearly fifty million individuals, one in every five people ages five and older in the United States are living with potentially disabling conditions (United States Census Bureau website, 2012). Because so many Americans are living with a disability, the Americans with Disability Act, enacted in 1990, was a landmark act that reduced many barriers for people with disabilities (Thompson, 2015). However, more needs of the disabled population are being identified. Consequently, more regulatory policy formulation needs to be done to improve the health of people with disabilities and their families (Mason, Gardner, Outlaw, & O’Grady, 2016).

In reality, there are lots of families that are in crisis and when support or help are needed, there’s no choice within the community. People with disabilities and their families should not be forced to select an institution, if they are disabled. They should have the choice to be treated in the comfort of their own home.