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Social Security Administration Announces 1.7 Percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2013

/in /by TJ Sutcliffe

Today the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a 1.7 percent cost-of-living increase for 2013. This modest increase will help preserve the buying power of Social Security benefits for nearly 62 million Americans, including many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive benefits under the Social Security retirement, survivors’, and disability systems.

According to SSA, the average monthly retirement benefit will increase by $21, from $1,240 in 2012 to $1,261 in 2013. The average monthly benefit for a “disabled worker” will increase by $19, from $1,113 in 2012 to $1,132 in 2013.

Higher Medicare premiums will likely offset some of this increase. Changes in Medicare premiums will be announced later this year at Medicare.gov.

The cost-of-living increase will affect many parts of the Social Security system, including important thresholds under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, including:

  • Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level – The SGA for SSDI and SSI will increase from $1,010 per month to $1,040 per month for non-blind beneficiaries, and from $1,690 per month to $1,740 per month for blind beneficiaries.
  • Trial Work Period (TWP) – The TWP for SSDI will increase from $720 per month to $750 per month.
  • SSI Federal Payment Standard – The SSI federal payment standard will increase for an individual from $698 per month to $710 per month, and for a couple from $1,048 per month to $1,066 per month.
  • SSI Student Exclusion – The SSI student exclusion monthly limit will increase from $1,700 to $1,730, and the SSI student exclusion annual limit will increase from $6,840 to $6,960.

Annual cost-of-living adjustments are a vital part of ensuring that Social Security beneficiaries do not see their buying power eroded by inflation. SSDI and SSI benefits are modest, averaging only about $1,111 per month for SSDI beneficiaries in the “disabled worker” category and $520 per month for SSI beneficiaries.

The Arc strongly supports ensuring adequate benefit levels. We recently joined 95 other organizations to send a letter to Congressional leaders to oppose a proposal to reduce these much-needed annual cost-of living increases. Subscribe to The Arc’s Capitol Insider for updates to learn how you can help make sure that Social Security and other vital programs are there for people with IDD.

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Disability Advocates Share the Stage at The Arc’s National Convention and International Forum

/in /by The Arc

Washington, DC – Next week, The Arc will play host to nearly a thousand disability advocates from across the globe during The 2012 National Convention and International Forum. The theme, “Achieving Inclusion Across the Globe,” reflects The Arc’s partnership with Inclusion International for this year’s convention. This four-day event will allow world renowned advocates, self-advocates, experts in the disability field, and family members of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to come together and discuss shared experiences, policy, and advocacy techniques.

“We look forward to addressing issues facing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities not only domestically but internationally during this year’s convention. I hope each attendee can leave with the knowledge that their advocacy work, research, and experiences are shared with millions across the globe who are also working to promote inclusion for individuals with disabilities,” said Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc.

Professional race car driver and Istook Motorsports owner Don Istook and his wife Laurie are being honored with The Arc’s Image and Inclusion Award this year. This award recognizes a person or group who has had an impact on accurate and positive portrayals of individuals with IDD. In 2012, The Arc launched The Arc Audi Rac­ing Program in partnership with Is­took’s Motorsports. The program allowed individuals with IDD the chance to be part of a fast-paced professional race crew as Honorary Crew Members at select races in the Pirelli World Challenge.

The Arc will also be presenting the 2012 Advocacy Matters! Award to The Arc of Virginia. Earlier this year, The Arc of Virginia’s advocacy efforts were rewarded when the Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement requiring the state to move people with IDD out of institutions and provide community-based services through Medicaid waivers and family supports for thousands of individuals with IDD.

Some of the featured speakers include: Rosangela Berman-Bieler, Chief of the UNICEF Disability Section, Vivian Fernández de Torrijos, former First Lady of the Republic of Panama, Eve Hill, Senior Counselor to the Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, and Ricardo Thornton, an inspiring self-advocate who speaks publicly about his life in the community with his family.

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The Arc Featured in TIME Magazine

/in /by The Arc

The Arc is featured in the October 15, 2012 issue of TIME Magazine – get it at newsstands now! You, along with 19 million readers nationwide, will read about The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region’s success working with a local business to employ people with disabilities alongside people without disabilities.

Missed it? Don’t worry, we have it on our website! The feature is perfectly timed with National Disability Employment Month (in October) and highlights The Arc’s national network of chapters!

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Helping a Community Go Green!

/in /by Guest Blogger

By Kerry Mahoney, The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport

The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport has partnered with The City of Newburyport to implement The Newburyport eRecycle Project. In addition to job training and employment for adults with IDD we are busy at work educating area residents on the impact e-waste has on the environment and City.

We have developed a multimedia approach to educate the residents in the goals of the project:

  • To demonstrate the abilities of people with IDD
  • The impact and benefit eRecycling has on the environment
  • The benefit to the City of Newburyport.

In addition to press in the local papers we have reached out to the local cable station and radio station to raise awareness. A student with disabilities from Newburyport High School is assisting us in producing a film about the project through the local media station. This film will be on the websites of The Arc of GHN, City of Newburyport and their contractor-Electronic Recyclers International’s website. This student along with his sister (a graphic design major at UMASS/Amherst) also created a logo for the project. (Attached) A message is listed on the local cable news announcing the project along with a trivia game with prizes about eRecycling to capture viewer’s interest. The local radio station had us as special guests with an interview on air.

The staff attends social events arranged by The Chamber of Commerce to network with other businesses. To meet the needs of the business community we have established a separate date during the week for them to drop off their electronics. The Chamber member newsletter distributes announcements about the project to over 800 members via email.

On Saturday our eRecycle employees will be at the local grocery store displaying a table full of electronic waste and distributing information on ewaste as well as the opening celebration at the Newburyport Recycling Center on October 6th. The eRecycle employees are also busy at work constructing a scarecrow complete with electronic cords to be placed on a lamppost in downtown Newburyport during the Harvest Festival.

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Act Today to Protect Yourself From the Flu

/in /by Julie Ward

Guarding yourself and your loved ones during flu season has always been important, but a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has shown how important it truly is for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The study showed that children with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and other neurologic disorders were at a great risk of complications from the influenza virus.

The study, which focused on the 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak, found that a disproportionately high number of kids with neurological disorders died from the virus. The 2009 flu season was particularly severe and the number of children who passed away was five times higher than the median for the previous five flu seasons.

“We’ve known for some time that certain neurologic conditions can put children at high risk for serious complications from influenza,” said Dr. Lyn Finelli, chief of the surveillance and outbreak response team in CDC’s Influenza Division. “However, the high percentage of pediatric deaths associated with neurologic disorders that occurred during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic was a somber reminder of the harm that flu can cause to children with neurologic and neurodevelopmental disorders.”

Now is the time to protect yourself and your family. The CDC is recommending that everyone over 6 months old get an annual influenza vaccination. To learn more about the flu and where to get a flu shot visit the CDC website.

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Do You Know What’s at Stake in the Upcoming Election?

/in /by The Arc

Now that you are registered to vote, do you know what’s at stake on November 6th? So many issues facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are being debated at the local, state and federal level – you just need to tune in to learn.

Take the Presidential race – did you watch last week’s debate in Denver, Colorado on television? Both candidates talked about their views on Medicaid – the lifeline for people with IDD. And the Affordable Care Act, the new health care law that will bring about comprehensive reforms that will benefit Americans with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination based on health status and improving access to care, was hotly debated. If you missed it, you have two more chances to hear from President Obama and Governor Romney (and their running mates have a debate scheduled too).

In late September, the campaigns sent representatives to speak on their behalf at the National Forum on Disability Issues in Columbus, Ohio. This was the only chance both campaigns had to talk about disability-specific issues in the context of what they would do as President. If you missed watching it live online, you can go to the Forum’s website to watch it and find other materials.

You can also educate yourself by going to the candidate’s websites:

Now is your last chance to get educated before you cast your ballot in this election – get the facts!

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The Arc Reacts to Disturbing Report on the Rights of Parents With Disabilities

/in /by The Arc

Washington, DC – The National Council on Disability’s new comprehensive report on the rights of parents who have disabilities reveals startling statistics showing how vulnerable these parents are to losing their children via the court system. According to their research, more than 4 million parents—6 percent of American mothers and fathers—have a disability. Yet their rights are often in jeopardy – the rate at which children are taken from parents who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is between 40% and 80%.

“This report uncovers the heartbreaking reality for too many families across the country – parents with disabilities are treated unjustly when it comes to their rights as parents, and far too many families are broken apart by outdated and discriminatory practices,” said Peter V. Berns, CEO of The Arc.

The National Council on Disability’s report provides a comprehensive review of the barriers and discrimination people with disabilities – including IDD, psychiatric disabilities, sensory disabilities, and physical disabilities – experience when they are creating and maintaining families. Two-thirds of dependency statutes allow the court to reach the determination that a parent is unfit on the basis of the parent’s disability. In every state, disability may be considered when determining the best interest of a child for purposes of a custody determination in family or dependency court. The National Council on Disability wrote: “People with disabilities are the only distinct group that struggles to maintain custody of its children.”

In positive news, a chapter of The Arc was particularly highlighted by the National Council on Disability for their good work in this area. The United Arc of Franklin and Hampshire Counties in Greenfield, Massachusetts runs a program called The Positive Parenting Resource Center which provides services and support to families headed by parents with IDD, including one-on-one support, education groups, mentoring, and more.

The report highlights twenty findings, makes numerous recommendations, and provides examples of how laws in Kansas and Idaho have been changed to protect the rights of parents with disabilities.

“The good news is that there are plenty of ways that we can improve the lives of parents with disabilities, illustrated by The United Arc of Franklin and Hampshire Counties and other organizations across the country. Now we must put pressure on decision makers to enact the changes necessary that protect parental rights, before more families are impacted by decisions that discriminate against disability,” said Berns.

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The Arc of Delaware County Speaks Out on Attack on Woman With Disabilities

/in /by The Arc

The Arc of Delaware County is appalled at the senselessness of the recent attack on a woman with disabilities in Chester, Delaware County. According to Frank Bartoli, Executive Director, “This was a savage and cruel act on a person with a disability.”

People with disabilities are far too often targets of crime. This extreme example of bullying calls for better public awareness and sensitivity training in our schools. What possible circumstances would lead teenage girls to think these acts would meet their needs for notoriety. The Arc hopes this horrific incident leads to a forensic analysis of the events and that lessons are learned so that persons with disabilities are treated with equal respect. The Arc believes that this incident draws attention to the need for students with and without disabilities to be educated together, to learn from each other and to value each other as peers and friends.

The Arc has a long history of standing up for the rights of people with disabilities and The Arc stands ready to assist local law enforcement in their investigation and to assist other people with disabilities who may need our assistance.

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Register to Vote: The First Step to Empowering Yourself

/in /by The Arc

With elections around the corner we are all being inundated with advertisements from both ends of the political spectrum. All the focus seems to be on the candidates when the most important people in any election are the voters. That’s right – you are the most important part of this election.

Too often we forget that voting is not only a right but a way to empower ourselves. Our vote represents our beliefs and our hopes for our nation. It is also an opportunity for us to tell those leading our country what we expect them to be doing. It isn’t just about what is happening in Washington, DC, the right to vote can influence what happens in your backyard. Each time you vote you empower yourself, and you make sure that your opinion matters.

Take the first step to empowering yourself and register to vote today!

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The Arc of Nassau County New York Develops eWorks

/in /by Guest Blogger

By Karleen Haines, The Arc of Nassau County New York

The Arc of Nassau County New York (AHRC Nassau) over the last two years has developed a small business providing e-waste recycling to local organizations, titled AHRC eWorks. eWorks hires adults with intellectual disabilities as dismantlers to inventory, sort, clean work areas, dismantle electronic items, and label pallets. Though this position requires specific skill sets and flexibility based upon the types of electronics to be dismantled, several individuals have achieved great success.

Thanks to The Arc’s eXplore eRecycling program funded by a grant from the Walmart Foundation, eWorks was recently able to offer another employee – James – this work opportunity. James is an older gentleman who recently came to AHRC Nassau and immediately showed great ability within eWorks. As a result of attaining this position, James is hopeful and excited about the possibility of setting aside money to find a modest apartment where he can live more independently.

Also, it appears that this opportunity for advancement has also encouraged James to “come out of his shell”. Now while at work, James has become more sociable with his fellow employees. We here at AHRC Nassau are hopeful that James and other current and future employees will all be able to share in similar positive experiences.