By Shelly Gigante Editor’s Note: Employment is the key to financial independence for all Americans, but the obstacles are greater for those with disabilities. To set yourself up for success in the job market today, you must know your rights, advocate for inclusivity, and ask for what you need. With assistive technologies, flexible work schedules,…
Read MoreBy Steve Perrigo Editor’s Note: When you’re approved for Social Security Disability Income benefits by the Social Security Administration, you receive monthly financial payments (upon approval) and Medicare (after 24 months). A secondary benefit of SSDI is the ability to participate in the Ticket to Work program that allows beneficiaries of SSDI to return to…
Read MoreAlexandra Ginieres Head of Disability Marketing, Individual Markets Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® Editor’s Note: Experiencing a disability doesn’t have to be career ending. Being prepared for those “what if” moments is important. If you have the right coverage in place when an injury or illness strikes, you can ensure your income is…
Read MoreBy Juliane Kowalski, Senior Vice President, Group Benefits, MetLife Editor’s note: Life insurance is not only a way to pay for funeral expenses. It can cover major expenses such as housing, childcare, and college tuition as well as everyday ones like groceries, transportation, and credit card bills. If we’ve learned anything from the past…
Read MoreBy Ian Bridgman Editor’s Note: Ian Bridgman is a longstanding member of The Council for Disability Awareness board. He also happens to be British – although, according to Bridgman, he became a “bloody American” in 2008. (Despite his citizenship, Bridgman still carries his wonderful dry sense of humor.) In this post, which first appeared on…
Read MoreFor HR folks, the fall is sort of like their own version of the retail holiday season or the big football final…that’s because it’s open enrollment, the time when employees are able to make major changes to their benefits plans without penalties. And just like retailers start planning their holiday promotions early, so should the…
Read MoreBy John Feeney, vice president, group sales and market development for the Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of America. Attention Gen Z and Millennials: disability insurance is an important coverage for you, too. Some view employer-sponsored group disability insurance as an ancillary benefit reserved for older individuals, when in fact, disability insurance should…
Read MoreEvery employer knows how difficult it can be to recruit and retain top talent. For far too long, however, one important and immense sector of the workforce has been under-utilized. Millions of Americans with disabilities have been excluded from the workforce simply due to the inaccessibility of the workplace. This constitutes not only significant…
Read MoreAs we age, previously manageable aspects of our houses can become hazardous. Studies show that household accidents account for an annual average of 20 million hospitalizations in the U.S. Renovating your home for accessibility can help you age gracefully without relocating. Deciding Whether to Age in Place Choosing to remain home has several…
Read MoreBy Holly Devine Editor’s Note: Holly Devine grew up knowing how to advocate for herself and what she needed – as it related to being a person with a physical disability. But it wasn’t until she was working at her first job after college that she learned how to ask for support with a mental…
Read MoreHappy New Year! Wait…aren’t we a little early (or a lot late) for that greeting? The truth is that for many people, September is the “real” new year, despite what the calendar says. And it’s easy to see why—after all that was traditionally the time we came back to school in a new outfit, maybe…
Read MoreBy Nigel Robert Editor’s Note: The prevalence of mental health conditions (most commonly anxiety and depression) accelerated during the COVID pandemic and has been on the rise in many places. Some people may find that letting a reptile into their life can help combat some of the effects of their condition – and this…
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