The federal government will be required to release a tool to assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accessing community services. President Biden signed the Think Differently Database Act last month. The law requires the US Department of Health and Human Services to create a clearinghouse of federal and state resources and information for people with disabilities, their caregivers, and families.
The website must offer information about Medicaid-covered long-term support services, as well as information regarding healthcare and mental health treatment. The act requires that database resources be searchable by zip code, according to lawmakers who spearheaded the legislation.
“Currently, many individuals with disabilities, families, and caregivers don’t know what services are available to them. My bipartisan bill helps solve this by creating a first-of-its-kind national website with federal and state resources for individuals with disabilities,” former Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., said when he introduced the measure in 2023. “This site will be a one-stop shop for locating resources that support and empower individuals with disabilities. This measure represents an important first step for the federal government to begin living up to its promise to support individuals with disabilities.”
The Department of Health and Human Services has three years to complete the clearinghouse. In addition to mandating the database of disability resources, Biden recently signed legislation requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on assistance to people with disabilities during major disasters, as well as measures to improve accessibility at Amtrak stations and federal buildings.
Accessing services can be difficult depending upon where you live. I live in Western Massachusetts. There are some resources available for disabled people here, but in my opinion, there are not enough.
Two years ago, I was able to have a roll-in shower installed in my apartment. The project was paid for by the state using American Rescue Plan Act funds. Unfortunately, there were no local contractors approved by the state, and it was done by a company located outside Boston.
I was told that the project would take a couple of weeks. It ended up taking over a month. The contractors had to travel two hours each way. After the project was completed, I asked why there were no approved contractors available locally. I was told that there wasn’t enough need for the program in Western Massachusetts.
Hopefully, the development of this website will help disabled people find more resources. Disabled people need more help to ensure that they can live their lives. Unfortunately, Medicaid is facing potential cuts that could affect these services.
Sources:
Diament, Michelle. “Law Mandates National Disability Services Clearinghouse.” Disability Scoop, Disability Scoop, 14 Jan. 2025, http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/01/14/law-mandates-national-disability-services-clearinghouse/31250/.
“Massability Home and Community Life Services.” Mass.Gov, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts , http://www.mass.gov/info-details/massability-home-and-community-life-services. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.