Author: Grace W. Dow

Miguel Luna Perez of Michigan sued the public school system in Sturgis. Perez is now 27 years old. He is deaf and requires a certified interpreter to understand information. According to Perez’s lawyers, the school system failed him by failing to provide a certified sign language interpreter. An aide who assisted him did not know… Continue reading America’s Education System Leaves Disabled Students Behind

Before adulthood, I rarely thought about the impact Cerebral Palsy would have on my life. Growing up, I assumed my adulthood wouldn’t look that different from my peers. I had high expectations for myself. I knew I wanted to go to college to get my bachelor’s degree. I’ve always loved learning. I have been looking… Continue reading The Impact of Cerebral Palsy in Adulthood:

On Capitol Hill, legislators are examining the federal government’s resources and support for caregivers. The HCBS Access Act would make HCBS a mandated benefit under Medicaid, allowing eligible seniors and those with disabilities to choose between home care and institutional care. The HCBS Access Act will also improve the caregiving workforce by providing respite for… Continue reading Americans Need Home and Community-Based Services

A new Medicaid rule establishing standards for what counts as home and community-based services for people with disabilities will take effect this week, after nine years and numerous delays, but many states are still unprepared. The deadline for states to comply with the so-called “settings rule” was March 17, 2023. The Centers for Medicare &… Continue reading How Will the Settings Rule Affect Home and Community-Based Services?

For two weeks, the Hackneys’ infant daughter lay in a Pittsburgh hospital bed, dehydrated. Her parents seldom left her side, occasionally sleeping on the room’s fold-out sofa. When their daughter was moved to a rehabilitation center to restore her strength, they stayed with her around the clock. The 8-month-old eventually stopped refusing her bottles and… Continue reading What Will Artificial Intelligence Mean for Disabled Parents?

President Joe Biden and House Republicans have vowed not to touch Social Security in their debate over lowering spending to address the nation’s debt ceiling situation. Within a decade, tens of millions of seniors and other recipients could see their payments cut by at least 20%. According to the most recent Congressional Budget Office estimate,… Continue reading What Will Social Security Look Like in the Future?

CW: Property Damage & Ableism: Carson Brière, a Mercyhurst University men’s hockey player and the son of Daniel Brière, interim general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers and a 17-year NHL veteran, has apologized for pushing an empty wheelchair down a flight of stairs. A video of the incident was released online Tuesday afternoon. The Twitter… Continue reading Mobility Is Freedom

Megan Swanson has anxiously watched her family’s savings dwindle as inflation eats away at a reserve for emergencies. Ms. Swanson, 37, is a part-time student who hadn’t worked since she was laid off during the beginning of the pandemic when the local Nordstrom store closed in 2020. Her husband, Brett, 37, is the wellness director… Continue reading Healthcare or Food?

CW: Abuse, Neglect, & Death Cian Milligan, 17, was involved in a car accident that resulted in life-changing injuries. The teenager who lives in Castlewellan, a town in northern Ireland, now requires around-the-clock care. The family is having trouble finding caregivers. They initially had caregivers during the day and overnight. Cian’s father, Damian, says there… Continue reading Care Is a Matter of Life or Death

CW: Institutionalization Judy Heumann, a lifelong disability rights advocate, passed away on March 4 at 75 years old. Heumann worked with the Clinton and Obama administrations, published books, and organized the The 504 Sit-in in 1977. She also helped found the first Center for Independent Living in the U.S. Despite decades of hard work, Judy… Continue reading For Disabled People, Employment Is Challenging throughout Life