Ask UCP: A Disability Resource Blog
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Sequestration and its Effects on Special Populations
Overview
On March 1, 2013, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB will sequester approximately $85 billion in Fiscal Year 2013 spending as mandated by the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011.
OMB recently calculated that sequestration will require an annual reduction of roughly 5 percent for nondefense programs and roughly 8 percent for defense programs. However, given that these cuts must be achieved over only seven months instead of 12, the effective percentage reductions will be approximately 9 percent for nondefense programs and 13 percent for defense programs. These large and arbitrary cuts will have severe impacts across the government.
This overview on sequestration and its effects on special populations includes information related to: Medicaid, Social Security, and CHIP programs; Medicare; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Education and Special education (IDEA); the Head Start Program; and Housing.
National Implications
Medicaid, Social Security, and CHIP: While Medicaid, Social Security, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are exempt from the talks, most other health programs will be affected.
While Social Security payments are not affected, sequestration would force the Social Security Administration (SSA) to furlough most of their workforce, causing SSA offices to close earlier or permanently. Beneficiaries who visit these offices or call the 1-800 number will most likely have to wait longer for services. The furlough would also impact the ability of disability claims, retirement claims, and disability hearings to be processed.
Medicare: The sequester includes a two percent cut to Medicare, as well as much larger cuts to federal healthcare agencies. The Medicare cut is big — $11 billion just this year, according to the White House budget office. These cuts will affect those who receive Medicare, including Dual Eligible’s (those who receive both Medicare and Medicaid).
This would also result in billions of dollars in lost revenues to Medicare doctors, hospitals, and other providers, who will only be reimbursed at 98 cents on the dollar for their services to Medicare beneficiaries.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Sequestration would reduce access to behavioral healthcare. If sequestration takes effect, up to 373,000 seriously mentally ill adults and seriously emotionally disturbed children could go untreated. This would likely lead to increased hospitalizations, involvement in the criminal justice system, and homelessness for these individuals.
In addition, close to 8,900 homeless persons with serious mental illness would not get outreach, treatment, housing, and support they need through the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program. Admissions to inpatient facilities for people in need of critical addiction services could be reduced by 109,000, and almost 91,000 fewer people could receive substance abuse treatment services.
Education and Special education (IDEA):
Title I: Title I education funds would be eliminated for more than 2,700 schools, cutting support for nearly 1.2 million disadvantaged students. This funding reduction would put the jobs of approximately 10,000 teachers and aides at risk. Students would lose access to individual instruction, afterschool programs, and other interventions that help close achievement gaps.
Special Education (IDEA): Cuts to special education funding would eliminate Federal support for more than 7,200 teachers, aides, and other staff who provide essential instruction and support to preschool and school-aged students with disabilities.
Head Start: Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 70,000 children, reducing access to critical early education. Community and faith based organizations, small businesses, local governments, and school systems would have to lay off over 14,000 teachers, teacher assistants, and other staff.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Under sequestration, HUD would not renew about 125,000 Tenant Based Rental Assistance vouchers (Section 8). This would affect over 300,000 individuals across the country. Half of Section 8 households have children, 40 percent are disabled, and 20 percent are elderly.
Empowering the Disability Community Through Innovation and Ideas
Marc Irlandez, Director of Technology & Life Labs
Each year, millions of Americans donate to countless worthy causes. United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is lucky enough to be one of those causes, and we are so grateful for all of our supporters.
As UCP moves forward, the ways in which people support us is evolving—and one of the most interesting approaches is not through money, but through ideas. We want to know: what would make the life of an individual with a disability better, or easier, or more accessible? And how would it be done? Instead of UCP deciding our path forward, we are asking you, your neighbors, your friends, anyone and everyone to tell us your ideas, so we can incorporate them in our strategy, bring them to life, and share them with others.
In 2012, UCP, our affiliates and global partners joined together to establish the first annual World Cerebral Palsy Day, an international day of awareness about cerebral palsy. As part of the day, we introduced the “Change my World in 1 Minute” contest. We asked people with disabilities from around the world to create a one minute video telling us what could be created, developed or modified, that would change their world and how. We received a staggering 500 submissions, and from this incredibly diverse pool, a specially appointed committee selected three finalists: a solar-powered wheelchair, a fold-up motorized wheelchair, and a documentary about people living with cerebral palsy in the 21st century.
The next phase of the “Change my World in 1 Minute” contest is the most exciting; we are challenging, the world’s inventors, craftsmen, makers and hackers, tinkerers and anyone who thinks they can bring one of these ideas to life, to compete for a share of a $25,000 prize. So if you or someone you know could build or create one of these ideas, let us know! We are so excited about this contest—not only will we get to see the world’s creativity at work, but the final products will make a significant difference in the lives of people living with disabilities.
Through our nearly 100 affiliates around the country, UCP works to enact real change—to revolutionize care, raise standards of living and create opportunities—and impact the lives of millions living with disabilities. Ideally, we want to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with a spectrum of disabilities by providing services and support to more than 176,000 children and adults everyday— one person at a time, one family at a time. For more than 60 years, we have continued to push for the social, legal and technological advances that will enable people with disabilities to live a life without limits.
For the estimated 57 million Americans and 650 million people around the world living with disabilities, World CP Day and the “Change my World in 1 Minute” contest is more than just a single day or awareness or a cash prize. It is a daily recognition of their lives—and the need to increase accessibility and independence for everyone.
It’s an innovative approach for a nonprofit: Asking for ideas instead of dollars. Then rewarding the people who can make those ideas a reality.
We are empowering our community to challenge the world to solve specific problems. Not problems and solutions that we deem best. We want to help create solutions for issues that are important within our local communities and around the world. “Change my World in 1 Minute” is about collaboration and becoming part of the solution, moving from asking for money or help to empowering the community to take the lead and make the change.
Rebuilding in the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy
Colleagues and friends,
Over the last few days, we have seen the incredible devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy impacting millions of Americans along the Eastern seaboard. The thoughts and prayers of the entire UCP network are with those that have been impacted by this massive storm, particularly our northeast affiliates and the communities they serve. As we begin the process of recovery, know that we stand ready to help in any way we can.
Individuals with disabilities often are disproportionately impacted during times of disaster. A variety of barriers may already exist, such as lack of transportation and inaccessible buildings, and other barriers are either created or worsened by the disaster itself. Our UCP affiliates were well prepared for Hurricane Sandy—but the loss of power, flooding and infrastructure problems have made providing services and ensuring the safety of their clients that much more difficult. Their commitment and dedication to both their clients and staff is remarkable, and yet characteristic of how our affiliates rise to meet each occasion or adversity.
If you are in an affected area and are in need of assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has information and support available. Click on the states listed below for local emergency response information.
As our UCP affiliates continue to provide assistance to those impacted in their communities, we encourage you to help support their work. Each of our affiliates in the states impacted by the storm is listed below, or use our local resources guide to determine which is in your area.
Hurricane Sandy is an unprecedented disaster and its impacts continue to be felt. It is during these times of crisis that communities must come together to rebuild. Thank you to everyone involved in the emergency response effort, our entire UCP network and all of those who are working to ensure that people with disabilities can live a life without limits.
Best regards,
Stephen Bennett
UCP President & CEO
United Cerebral Palsy
How to help:
Click on the name of your state below to access local emergency information, or on the name of your local affiliate to support their work.
UCP of Washington DC & Northern Virginia
Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia
UCP of Northeastern Pennsylvania
UCP of Philadelphia & Vicinity
UCP of South Central Pennsylvania
UCP/CLASS (formerly UCP of Pittsburgh)
Health Disparities Chart Book on Disability and Racial and Ethnic Status in the U.S.
The basic purpose of this chart book is to answer the question of whether working age (18-64) people with disabilities in the United States experience health disparities similar to those experienced by members of racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. The report also explores the role of disability in the context of national efforts to address health disparities. Are the socio-economic and health experiences of people with disabilities similar to other recognized minority groups in the United States, such as underserved racial and ethnic groups? Read more...
Website Reviews Apps for People with Disabilities
SNApps4Kids or Special Needs Apps for Kids is a community of parents, therapists, doctors and teachers who share information about how they are using popular mobile devices like the iPad, iTouch and iPhone with children who have special needs. These Apps allow children and adults with disabilities to communication, learn new skills and have fun. Browse through the site to find Apps categorized by device type, skill (color recognition, manual dexterity, decision making) or broad category such as math or reading.
The First Ever World Report on Disability
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank just released the World Report on Disability which found that approximately 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability, of whom 2-4% experience significant difficulties in functioning. The report contains topic-specific chapters on health; rehabilitation; assistance and support; enabling environments; education; and employment. Within each chapter, there is a discussion of the barriers confronted, and case studies showing how countries have succeeded in addressing these by promoting good practice. This report updates previous WHO data from the 1970's that found disability prevalence rates to be 10%.
The report is available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese as well as accessible formats and DAISY from the WHO's report landing page.
Read the Press Release for a summary of information contained in the report.