Thursday, April 18, 2024

What Does Disability Mean To Me

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What Happens If The Adult Child Gets Married

What does Graeae mean to me: Deaf & disabled actors proudly centre stage. (AD & CAP)

If he or she receives benefits as a disabled “adult child,” the benefits generally end if he or she gets married. However, some marriages are considered protected.

The rules vary depending on the situation. Contact a Social Security representative at 1-800-772-1213 to find out if the benefits can continue.

1-800-772-1213

To speed up the application process, complete an Adult Disability Report and have it available at the time of your appointment.

What Can We Do To Recognize And Avert Ableism

  • Believe people when they disclose a disability
  • Similarly, dont accuse people of faking their disability
  • Listen to people when they request an accommodation
  • Dont assume you know what someone needs
  • Never touch a person with a disability or their mobility equipment without consent
  • Keep invasive questions to yourself
  • Dont speak on behalf of someone with a disability unless they explicitly ask you to

The Number Of People Qualifying For Social Security Disability Benefits Has Increased

For over 60 years, Social Security disability has helped increasing numbers of workers and their families replace lost income. Several factors have contributed to this increase, which the Social Security Trustees and our actuaries have projected for decades. For example, baby boomers have reached their most disability-prone years and more women have joined the workforce in the past few decades, working consistently enough to qualify for benefits if they become disabled.

Despite the increase, the 9 million or so people getting Social Security disability benefits represent just a small subset of Americans living with disabilities.

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Check If The Effect Of Your Impairment Is Substantial

A substantial effect on your day-to-day activities means one thats more than minor or trivial.

The effect on your normal day-to-day activities might be substantial if you have more than one impairment. Other examples of when the effect might be substantial include:

  • taking longer with everyday tasks like getting dressed, going to the toilet or preparing meals because of pain, if you didnt take your painkillers
  • finding it difficult to go out on your own because of a phobia, physical restriction or learning disability
  • being unable to concentrate on watching TV or reading a newspaper because of mental health issues
  • finding it difficult to talk to people and avoiding socialising because you have Aspergers Syndrome and cant always understand what people mean
  • having seizures which cause you to lose awareness of your surroundings
  • being unable to read a book without an aid because of a learning impairment such as dyslexia

The effects might only be minor or trivial if they have very little effect on your daily life, like if the only effect on you is that you have to stop for a few minutes’ rest after walking for a mile at a normal pace.

Adults Disabled Before Age 22

What does disability mean to me?

An adult who has a disability that began before age 22 may be eligible for benefits if a parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We consider this a “child’s” benefit because it is paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record.

The disabled “adult child” including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild, grandchild, or step grandchild must be unmarried, age 18 or older, have a disability that started before age 22, and meet the definition of disability for adults.

Example

It is not necessary that the disabled “adult child” ever worked. Benefits are paid based on the parent’s earnings record.

  • A disabled “adult child” must not have substantial earnings. The amount of earnings we consider “substantial” increases each year. In 2021, this means working and earning more than $1,310 a month.

Working While Disabled: How We Can Help

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Disability Means Hard Work And Dedication

It means having to work twice as hard to get things done and often fighting to get the support you require. The hard work and dedication means the end result and small achievements can mean the world. It can mean having to dedicate a day to yourself, just so you can get through the week. Disability is hard work when you are living in a world that was not designed for you. Disabled access is often an afterthought and we have to do the extra leg work, even if we dont have the most functioning legs to begin with!

It means having to go the long way around for literally everything. Plan, plan and plan some more. I sometimes yearn for a bit more spontaneity!

Richard Luke

Your disability doesnt take a day off or go on holiday for the summer. Your disability is always there and this is exhausting! Even if your condition doesnt affect energy levels, the constant uphill battle will hit you at some point. We often try to fight against our own bodies to function in society. Disability means constantly challenging yourself to reach personal goals. These goals may not mean a thing to other people or may seem pointless to able-bodied people around us. Those little victories are what get us through life. Celebrating the small things in life is something able-bodied people may take for granted. It is these triumphs that make us stronger.

My Disability Changes From Hour To Hour

As Ive mentioned earlier, a dynamic disability can change from moment to moment. For example, the other day I went to the mall. I took my walker and I was in and out of the mall in just over an hour.

I was totally fine while in the mall, a little tired but thats normal for me. When I got home is when the dynamic disability kicked in. I was exhausted, I completely crashed, and I could barely walk. I needed my boyfriends help to get up the stairs and into bed, where I felt like I had turned into a different human.

One hour I was fine, walking around and talking, the next hour, I had crashed in bed and could barely move.

This is what I mean when I say a dynamic disability can change from day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute.

Do you consider yourself to have a dynamic disability? What does that term mean to you?

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Definition Of Disability By People With Disabilities

I am vocal about having a disability because I dont want other people defining what having a disability means for me. Whether youre active most days, or spend most of your time in bed, you have the right to define that for yourself.

-Maya Brown-Zimmerman

There are many things I can do that I enjoy, things that bring me great pleasure such as writing, but I envy the freedom of choice that able people have. I dont have that and I havent had it for as long as I can remember, even if I look like I could.

I didnt choose this life but it is the life I have so please do not discount it.

So, how do you define disability now?

-Claire Barnier

You personally cant define your disability. Your body does. Whether it be a mental or a physical illness, its your body that leads the way and you have no choice but to follow. I could fight my illness as long as I want, but at the end of the day Im going to still have trouble living a normal life. I have no choice but to live with a bunch of medication in my pocket and a thing that I have to check my blood sugar with once a day. Im no longer free to do whatever I want.

-ottobot93

Examples Of Disability In A Sentence

What does ‘Disability’ mean to you?

disabilitydisabilitiesdisabilitiesdisabilityon disabilitydisability The New Republicdisability The Salt Lake Tribunedisability Dallas Newsdisability Los Angeles Timesdisability Dallas Newsdisability San Francisco Chronicledisability Timedisability refinery29.com

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word ‘disability.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Who Is Considered A Person With A Disability Under Section 504 And The Ada

Section 504 and the ADA define the terms “handicap” or “disability” with respect to an individual to mean a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such an individual. Included in the definition are people who have a record of such an impairment, or are regarded as having such an impairment. The definition of disability under Section 504 and the ADA differs from that typically used to determine eligibility in programs that provide cash assistance based upon disability such as the Federal Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs. This definition may also be different from that used by some States to determine whether an individual may be exempt from certain program rules in TANF. For more information on the definition of disability under Section 504, see 29 USC 705 under the ADA, see 42 USC 12102.

The Definition Of Disability

The 2010 Equality Act states that a disability is a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial or long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

For me, disability is so much more than that, its a lot more than just the medical terminology.

But what does disability mean to me?

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Dictionary Definition Of Disability

By far, the simplest definition of disability comes from the dictionary. Merriam-Webster defines disability as:

: a condition that damages or limits a persons physical or mental abilities

: the condition of being unable to do things in the normal way: the condition of being disabled

: a program that provides financial support to a disabled person

Social Security Administration Definition Of Disability

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The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other definitions because it determines who qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits.

To meet our definition of disability, you must not be able to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically-determinable physical or mental impairment:

  • That is expected to result in death, or
  • That has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

The Social Security Administration uses the term substantial gainful activity to describe a level of work activity and earnings.

Work is substantial if it involves doing significant physical or mental activities or a combination of both. For work activity to be substantial, it does not need to be performed on a full-time basis. Work activity performed on a part-time basis may also be SGA.

Gainful work activity is:

  • Work of a nature generally performed for pay or profit or
  • Work intended for profit, whether or not a profit is realized.

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What Is The Definition Of Disability Under The Ada

It is important to remember that in the context of the ADA, disability is a legal term rather than a medical one. Because it has a legal definition, the ADAs definition of disability is different from how disability is defined under some other laws, such as for Social Security Disability related benefits.

The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability. The ADA also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person based on that persons association with a person with a disability.

For additional information, take a look at the following resources:

How Does The Federal Government Define Disability

The term “disability” is defined by the federal government in various ways, depending on the context. For the purposes of federal disability nondiscrimination laws , Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 188 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), the definition of a person with a disability is typically defined as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more “major life activities,” has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. More information on federal disability non-discrimination laws, visit DOL’s Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor.

For purposes of Social Security disability benefits, a person with a disability must have a severe disability that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death, and which prevents working at a “substantial gainful activity” level. State vocational rehabilitation offices define a person with a disability to be eligible for VR services if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that constitutes or results in a “substantial impediment” to employment for the applicant.

More information on the varying ways disability is defined and the origins of those definitions is available on DisabilityStatistics.org, a comprehensive online resource maintained by the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University.

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How Many People With Disabilities Are Working

Both the labor force participation and unemployment rate for people with disabilities are measured monthly through the Current Population Survey and reported on DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy website under “Current Disability Employment Statistics.” More detailed disability employment statistics can be accessed on DOL’s Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

American With Disabilities Association Da Definition Of Disability

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It is important to remember that in the context of the ADA, disability is a legal term rather than a medical one.

A person with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability.

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Social Security Disability Payments Are Modest

At the beginning of 2019, Social Security paid an average monthly disability benefit of about $1,234 to all disabled workers. That is barely enough to keep a beneficiary above the 2018 poverty level . For many beneficiaries, their monthly disability payment represents most of their income. Even these modest payments can make a huge difference in the lives of people who can no longer work. They allow people to meet their basic needs and the needs of their families.

Any Person At Any Time

First, I feel a tremendous pull to start by mentioning how refreshing to see this being talked about .

Im a 29-year-old who was once given a life expectancy of 13. Fifty-three surgeries, countless long-term hospital and rehabilitation stays have been the norm in my life. I often discuss with my partner the disconnect between my queer and disabled identities. How I seem to have developed a sense of pride in being queer, but often reject any identity pertaining to disability. Ive begun to try to weave the two together and noticed that when doing so, Im more comfortable introducing disability into queer spaces, than I am introducing queerness into disability-related spaces. The two feel contradictory, but inside I know they shouldnt. What I do know, or at least believe to be true, is that disability remains invisible and/or hard for able-bodied people to look at, because unlike racial, cultural, or sexual identities, it is an identity that any able-bodied person could possibly face. And lets be honest, thats scary. Most identities are set in stone. You are heterosexual or you are not. You are a person of color or you are not. Disability is something that can happen to any person at any time and thats a reality thats hard to face. Its hard to face when you are disabled, why wouldnt it be hard to face when you are able-bodied and aware that you could become disabled?

Thank you for a pleasant morning read, to both the author, and The New York Times.

Submitted

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A Tough Lesson From Gay Pride

The gay pride movement of the 80s was full of able-bodied young men, many of them with good jobs. They had leisure and strength to make a social movement.

Disabled people tend to be, how shall I say, *disabled.* Some are chronically ill, which doesnt lend itself to sustained activism. Some have other types of limitations which prevent regular work, which also chops up sustained activism. Most disabled people are poor, because disability in this country is criminally expensive.

Why arent they making a pride movement, in other words? Maybe getting by day to day is more important. Living. Surviving. Avoiding more pain, living within what are often narrow physical, mental, and financial constraints.

Other people will have to be heavily involved in any such movement. And thats the problem.

Submitted

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