Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities

On November 16, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a new Language Access Plan, which includes critical actions to improve access to HHS programs and services for people with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency. With provisions that specifically address the effective communication and accessibility requirements found in sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the HHS Language Access Plan is the latest in a series of important actions taken by ACL and our partners across federal government over the last several years to uphold the rights of people with disabilities.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides guidance on how employers can address situations where identifying effective accommodations for employees with disabilities becomes challenging within the framework of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). JAN recommends a collaborative approach, involving the employee in discussions, reviewing previous accommodation attempts, and seeking external resources if needed. Employers are advised to explore trial accommodations, assess reassignment to available positions, and conduct individualized assessments to determine whether providing the accommodation would result in undue hardship.JAN also offers real-life examples of successful accommodations to illustrate potential solutions...

In a proclamation for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2023, President Biden acknowledged the significant contributions of disabled Americans to the nation's economy and emphasized the country's commitment to equal dignity, respect, and opportunities for all citizens. The proclamation highlights legislative milestones, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and addresses ongoing challenges, including lower employment rates and wage disparities for individuals with disabilities. President Biden outlines efforts to promote job opportunities, accessibility, and inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of diversity and equity in the workforce while urging all Americans to support equal employment opportunities...

Community Care Corps recently released their annual "Grantee Snapshots" publication, featuring the achievements of their 2022-2023 grantees. These snapshots offer program overviews, showcasing the innovative approaches these grantees have implemented to address the unique needs of diverse communities, including rural areas, historically marginalized populations, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The publication aims to inspire organizations to develop their own innovative programs dedicated to supporting the independence and well-being of older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently released a commemorative resource guide about the recruitment, hiring, and employment of individuals with disabilities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The EEOC and DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) issued this guide to explain the key roles these agencies have in Rehabilitation Act enforcement, outreach, and education. This resource guide also includes recruitment and hiring “Best Practices”, retention and advancement “Best Practices”, as well as other key resources for guidance and technical assistance.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a set of resources addressing the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) living with, and receiving care from, aging parents or guardians. The resources cover a range of topics, including interagency partnerships, engagement and navigation support, person- and family-centered support systems, and future planning, all designed to aid state Medicaid and partner agencies in better serving this population. The resource set also describes state policies and practices for understanding current and future service system needs for serving adults with I/DD and aging caregivers, as well as policies for states to implement person-centered planning...

On September 26, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) designated people with disabilities as a population with health disparities for research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Designated populations experience significant disparities in their rates of illness, morbidity, mortality and survival, driven by social disadvantage, compared to the health status of the general population. This designation is one of several steps the NIH is taking to address health disparities experienced by people with disabilities and to ensure representation in NIH research studies.

A recent study featured in the "Journal of Education and Work" aims to address the lack of longitudinal studies on the employment outcomes of long-term disabled individuals. While previous research has primarily focused on transitional factors and individual-level characteristics, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of disabled individuals' labor market experiences over time and across their life course. Leveraging social sequence analysis and extensive Norwegian longitudinal registry data spanning 24 years, the research is dedicated to identifying, describing, and forecasting stable employment paths among young individuals with disabilities, with particular attention to exploring the impact of gender...

Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE) has released a new resource titled "What Can State Agencies Do? A Step-by-Step Implementation Guide for State Agencies." This guide offers practical steps that state agencies can follow to promote awareness of disability-inclusive workplace policies and practices, both internally and externally. This initiative is a collaborative effort among various organizations aiming to showcase supportive workplaces that are inclusive for all workers.

This week, CMS announced its Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, which aims to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, reduce strain on unpaid caregivers, and help people remain in their homes and communities through care coordination and management, caregiver support, and respite services. Through the GUIDE Model, CMS will test an alternative payment for participants who deliver key supportive services to people with dementia, including comprehensive, person-centered assessments and care plans, care coordination, and 24/7 access to a support line. The intended beneficiary population is community-dwelling Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, including beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare...