Psychiatric Disabilities/Mental Illness

The Federal Transit Administration released a report that examines the accessibility, cost efficiency, and effectiveness of public transit for passengers with disabilities. The report provides an assessment of public transit and offers suggestions for improvements that align with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. This report uses 12 case studies to analyze the state of current paratransit practices and highlight the most successful models.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report has released new data on prevalence of disability and disability type, from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based health survey. This includes data by state, and data by disability type that is based on functional categories. The main finding showed that "1 in 5 adults or over 53 million" Americans live with a disability.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), this annual report focuses on how the ADA and other federal legislation has been implemented by five different state and local agencies. The report examines employment, education, health care, transportation, and housing to demonstrate the importance of the federal legislation and disability advocates. The report also offers recommendations to inform policymakers on changes to be made in the future legislation.

The white paper examines the impact that managed care organizations can have on cost and quality of care for older adults and people with disabilities. The National Council on Disability found that MCOs can lower the costs of services for these populations. However, MCOs must face the challenge of training staff on person-centered planning and competency for the quality of care to genuinely increase. This provides an analysis of the positives and negatives of MCOs and where to move from here.

Convergence Center for Policy Resolution and the Long Term Care Financing Collaborative released two papers regarding the affordability and vision for delivery of long term care in the United States. The papers reflect the idea that the role of families and communities must be recognized when delivering long term services and supports. Additionally, giving elders the ability to finance their own care increases independence and autonomy and allows for support of family members and communities.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted a study to examine the policy issue of long term care and its financing. This research investigated the awareness, attitudes, and understanding of long term care by Americans over the age of 40 through three different studies. The studies have explored diverse issues surrounding long term care like the caregiving experience, person-centered care experiences, and opinions on long term care policy.

Mathematica Policy Research published a report examining the relationship between the primary impairments of Social Security disability beneficiaries and the employment and earning experiences of the beneficiaries. The report can inform policymakers on innovative ways to assist beneficiaries in becoming self-sufficient and gaining employment. The researchers found considerable differences in employment and earning across the primary impairments studied.

This report for the Department of Labor examines the workforce system's current efforts to provide assistance to youth with disabilities. The focus of the research is mainly at the local level, coming from practitioners to gain insight on what factors are in need of improvement. Data was obtained through surveys completed by representatives of Local Workforce Investment Boards with specific attention to the practices and policies currently in place.

This report is a study of the severe housing affordability problems experienced by people with disabilities. Priced Out calculates the difference between what an individual receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can reasonably afford to pay for housing costs and the average cost of modest housing units. The report confirms that non-elderly adults with disabilities living on SSI confront an enormous housing affordability gap across the entire nation.

This technical assistance document aims to help State and local government offices understand how Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to their programs, activities, and services. The illustrated guide outlines general nondiscrimination requirements, like provisions regarding communication with people with disabilities or service animals. The guide also tells how the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design apply to the built environment.