Fact Sheets

What is the cost of providing job accommodation? Recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) refocused attention on workplace accommodations by broadening the definition of disability. This increased attention has some employers concerned about the costs of providing job accommodations. However, a study conducted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), shows that workplace accommodations not only are low cost, but also positively impact the workplace in many ways.

Waivers allow people to pay for needed home health and personal assistance so they may live in community rather than institutional settings. Little research has examined how effectively these programs ensure proper use of health care services or how they improve the health of people with disabilities or at how effective these programs are when people move from institutional to community settings. The bottom line? People with disabilities continue to have unacceptably high rates of disease.

This fact sheet discusses the status of Medicaid and state budgets in light of the continuing recession and the federal fiscal relief provided to state Medicaid programs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA money has helped address budget shortfalls, preserve Medicaid eligibility and soften program cuts. But ARRA funds are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2010, which may prompt some states to turn to cost-saving measures such as restrictions on Medicaid eligibility.

Annual survey of all 50 States finds that during this time of recession the number of people on Medicaid is greatly increasing, as is the amount of money being spent on the program by individual States. Despite federal assistance from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), this leads to further strain on already tight State budgets. This trend is expected to continue & States should be expecting a predicted increase of 6.3% on Medicaid spending in the 2010 fiscal year.

Looking for quick talking points on how the expansion of home and community-based long term care services can significantly help address the health care needs of many older adults? A new Fact Sheet provides examples and data on why HCBS is a critical component of Health Reform.

What are the policy options for Medicaid HCBS? This fact sheet suggests: broadening the scope of covered services, enhancing federal Medicaid matches to states to expand HCBS, allowing Medicaid HCBS beneficiaries to retain more assets to pay for home modifications or health services not covered by Medicaid, and allowing Medicaid HCBS waiver programs to serve people with lower levels of functional disability than those required for people in nursing homes.

This policy brief presents four options that merit serious consideration in the current health care reform discussions. The first two options would improve long-term care for people with low incomes and limited financial resources. Review ideas on expanding Medicaid support for home and community-based services and improve coordination of medical and long-term care for Medicare-Medicaid “Dual Eligibles”. Poll results also gauge interest in reform if long-term services and supports were included.

The Demonstration aims to provide 75 to 100 low-income residents with rental assistance for up to 3 years as they wait for permanent housing assistance. A process map showing how a subsidy is provided, marketing materials, sample contracts, and several worksheets for gathering unit and participant information and determining assistance eligibility and amount are given here.

Do you have questions about the different models of fiscal services in consumer-directed care? The first fact sheet compares the Fiscal/Employer Agent (either government or vendor), Agency with Choice, and Fiscal Conduit models. The second illustrates the factors that influence the costs of these different models.

To support self-employment, START-UP / USA provides resources to people with disabilities and generates data and information to validate systems change and capacity-building strategies. The site offers case studies, fact sheets, training materials, webcasts and seminars.