December 14, 2024

2024 has brought both advancements and challenges for the disability community at the federal level. While significant policy initiatives addressed key issues such as healthcare, accessibility, and workforce support, some setbacks highlight the need for continued advocacy. Below is a summary of notable developments and areas to watch moving forward.

1. Advances in Healthcare Equity

• Health Disparities Designation: The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities officially recognized people with disabilities as a “Health Disparities Population.” This designation opens doors to targeted research funding, policy initiatives, and programs to address inequities in healthcare access and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
• Section 504 Reforms: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized updated regulations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, reinforcing non-discrimination in healthcare settings. These changes aim to ensure that people with disabilities receive equitable treatment in medical facilities and programs.

2. Strengthening Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

• Disability Community Act: Bipartisan legislation introduced in early 2024 aims to address workforce shortages and funding gaps in Medicaid-supported services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This act increases the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) temporarily, enabling service providers to meet new wage requirements while maintaining quality care.

3. Improved Accessibility in Transportation

• Air Travel Enhancements: As part of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024, new measures target increased accessibility in air travel. These include improved seating options, enhanced training for airline staff, and updated guidance for handling assistive devices.
• Mobility Initiatives: The U.S. Department of Transportation released updated rules and best practices to improve the mobility of individuals with disabilities across public and private transportation services.

4. Employment Opportunities and Economic Empowerment

• Expansion of AbilityOne Programs: Federal employment initiatives, such as the AbilityOne program, have expanded their outreach in underserved regions, including tribal lands. These programs provide meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities, ensuring economic inclusion and workforce participation.

5. Disaster Response and Emergency Housing

• FEMA Housing Accessibility: In response to long-standing advocacy, FEMA issued an interim final rule to improve accessibility in disaster relief housing. These updates aim to ensure that individuals with disabilities receive equitable and timely support during emergencies.

Challenges Faced in 2024

• Workforce Shortages in Care Services: Despite progress with the Disability Community Act, workforce shortages in I/DD services remain critical. Many providers are struggling to comply with new wage requirements, exacerbating service gaps in some areas.
• Accessibility Gaps in Federal Programs: While FEMA’s rule on housing accessibility was a step forward, implementation challenges and delays have been reported in some disaster-affected regions, leaving people with disabilities without adequate support during emergencies.
• Transportation Shortfalls: Although strides were made in air travel accessibility, systemic issues like inconsistent compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations in other transportation modes persist.
  
  

Looking Ahead: Key Areas of Focus

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Reforms: The federal SSI program remains a critical area for improvement. Advocates are pushing for an increase in asset limits, which have not been updated in decades, to allow recipients greater financial stability without risking their benefits. Additionally, there is a need for indexing SSI benefits to inflation, ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive adequate support in the face of rising living costs.
• Long-Term Workforce Solutions: Advocates must push for sustainable funding mechanisms to address workforce shortages in I/DD services, ensuring continuity of care and compliance with federal regulations.
• Comprehensive Transportation Accessibility: Continued efforts are needed to enforce ADA compliance and improve accessibility across all transportation sectors, including ridesharing and public transit.
• Healthcare System Reforms: The designation of people with disabilities as a Health Disparities Population sets the stage for transformative change, but tangible outcomes will depend on robust funding and accountability measures.
• Emergency Preparedness: Advocacy is essential to ensure FEMA’s accessibility standards are consistently implemented in disaster responses, preventing further inequities.
  
  

Implications and Next Steps

While 2024 has seen notable federal progress, the challenges underscore the need for vigilant advocacy and collaboration. Organizations like ours play a crucial role in monitoring policy implementation, providing feedback to policymakers, and raising awareness of unmet needs within the disability community.