The following is a little off topic but is a good example of external forces adapting to assist the need of disabled individuals:


NPR just ran a program on "All things Considered" wondering why so many disabled people are unemployed:

I had to comment based on my experience.

Private "For Profit" Insurance Corporations that are supposed to provide coverage for people disabled at work but don't are one reason In the last 15 years the number of people in the U.S. receiving payments from the federal government for disability has nearly doubled.

I suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury at work in 1992 when improperly installed shelving collapsed on me. I thought My company would take care of me and my family after the accident, after all I was paying for Long term disability (LTD), Health, dental, short term disability (STD), workers compensation
(WC), and accidental death and dismemberment (ADD) insurances. I was so wrong! Delay and Deny is the mantra of modern insurance. Disabled from the accident, I had a 10 year battle with workers compensation which finally settled and provides medical coverage for the brain injury but what about other health issues, dental care, eyesight and income? That's where long term disability (LTD) is supposed to take over. It doesn't! The first thing The LTD insurer requires is your application to social security for Social security disability income (SSDI). So you go through the SSDI process and if you are lucky like I was you get approval for your permanent total disability. The LTD carrier then notifies you that they will do their own investigation because they don't have to accept the Social Security decision. Again they Delay and Deny hiring unethical doctors to dispute the disability. When through legal proceedings you are fortunate to have the LTD carrier accept responsibility they notify you that the income you expected is now being offset by the SSDI income you are receiving. They pay you little or nothing!. The $300,000.00 ADD insurance you purchased to protect your family from catastrophe Denies your claim. Even though the documentation in your companies benefits summary plan description (SPD) states that you will have peace of mind because your family will be covered in the event of your death or permanent disability. 20 years after the accident I find myself wanting to do some productive work. maybe build my self esteem, contribute to society and improve my economic position, But wait, if I work I risk loosing my health care and the SSDI. Would you risk it?

Fortunately there seems to be some light at he end of this very dark tunnel. Ford Vox's article "How Obamacare Will Impact Americans With Disabilities" explains how "For most Americans then, the ACA is ending a major dysfunctional social dynamic with which rehabilitation providers are intimately familiar. Our system’s built-in disincentive to work will weaken."

If we required LTD insurers to pay up instead of cahsing in by shifting their burden to Social Security we would also make great strides in reducing the cost of Social Security and our Federal deficit.