The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is one of the most comprehensive pieces of civil rights laws in the United States. President George H.W. Bush signed it into law on July 26th, 1990. The legislation forbids discrimination and ensures people with disabilities get equal access to all aspects of mainstream American life.That includes but is not limited to employment opportunities, access to goods and services, and participation in Local and State Government services and programs. In essence, the Americans with Disabilities Act is an equal opportunity law for people with disabilities according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.ADA is modeled on the foundation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a law that forbids discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, and national origin. With that out of the way, let's look at the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act.&nbsp;<h1>Historical Milestones of the Americans with Disabilities Act</h1>September 13th, 1960: The 1960 Social Security Amendments were signed into law. The provisions under this amendment included that persons with disabilities under 50 would also receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for the first time.July 2nd, 1964: The Civil Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The law banned employment discrimination and segregation in public places based on sex, religion, color, race, and nationality. This law didn't outrightly address disabilities. However, it served a crucial role in history, setting the foundation for civil rights legislation. Advocates of people with disabilities referenced the language used in the Civil Rights Act.September 26th, 1973: The Rehabilitation Law was signed into law, and section 504 banned discrimination against people with disabilities in organizations that received Federal Funds. The law facilitated significant legal change, shed some light on prejudice expressed towards people with disabilities, and acknowledged the existence of discrimination in the US.November 27th, 1975: The Individuals with Disabilities Act was signed into law which required all eligible children with disabilities to receive free and appropriate education in a suitable environment. This is currently the most discussed law when it comes to learning disabilities.April 5th, 1977: The San Francisco sit-in was led by Judy Heumann. Protesters occupied the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) regional office and demanded that Joseph Califano establish legally binding standards for 504. No person should be "excluded from the participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination" under any program funded by federal funds, according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973).March 22nd, 1988: The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 becomes law. Disability activists joined forces with those speaking for women and minority groups in the first significant coalition movement involving the disability community to promote The Civil Rights Restoration Act. The Act has ensured a more comprehensive application of Anti-discrimination laws in organizations that receive federal funding.August 30th, 1988: A Congressional Task Force was established by Congressman Major Owens to educate the public and Congress on discrimination against people living with disabilities. The task force comprised civilians and didn't receive federal funding. Justin Dart and Dr. Elizabeth M. Boggs, both who were activists, co-chaired the task force.March 12th, 1990: The Historic Capital Crawl happened in Washington DC. To put pressure on Congress to enact the Americans with Disabilities Act, members of ADAPT (Americans Disabled for Accessible Public Transit) abandoned their mobility aids and climbed the Capital Steps on the National Mall. The demonstration was a turning point in disability activism.July 26th, 1990: President George H.W Bush signed The Americans with Disabilities Act into Law. ADA was created to provide people with disabilities with equal access to opportunities. It affirms and defends the rights of people with disabilities in relation to employment, government services, and other facets of public life. It is modeled after the Civil Rights Act (1964).June 22nd, 1999: The Supreme Court announced the "Sutton Trilogy," which constrained the ADA's application. The Supreme Court drew a line under the ADA's protections when it ruled in the cases of the Sutton Trilogy. The Supreme Court decided in this case that services for people with disabilities must integrate them whenever possible.September 25th, 2008: The ADA Amendments Act was signed into law. Congress passed the ADAAA to overturn some Supreme Court rulings that were thought to have restricted the application of the ADA and narrowed the definition of "disability" beyond what Congress initially intended. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission revised its disability-related rules after the ADAAA was passed, and the legal definition of "disability" was made as inclusive as possible.September 27th, 2017: The Americans with Disabilities Act Education and Reform Act is opposed by The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and Allies in an open letter to Congress. The bill was approved by the House but was rejected by the Senate. The ADA ERA Act would have taken away incentives that have been put in place for companies to follow ADA regulations. This is a sobering reminder that there is still a long way to go in the fight for civil rights protections.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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The legislation forbids discrimination and ensures people with disabilities get equal access to all aspects of mainstream American life. That includes but is not limited to employment opportunities, access to goods and services, and participation in Local and State Government services and programs.

The ADA- The History of the Americans with Disabilities Act

We owe our safety, freedom, and way of life to the unsung heroes who served our country in the armed forces, whether in peace or war. That's why as a way for America to show gratitude to these veterans and their families for their sacrifices to protect our nation, the government offers them veteran grants.Essentially, the government assists the veterans in obtaining home loans, finding well-paying jobs as civilians, starting small businesses, and securing quality health care services. That said, if you're a veteran and need assistance transitioning to civilian life, this article is in your best interest.We will cover the wide range of resources available to help you. While grants are an excellent financial tool for promoting the growth and development of veterans, there's often a lot of competition. Luckily, since there's a smaller pool of applicants, you may have a better chance of qualifying for veterans grants than other government funding. With that in mind, let's explore the different available grants for veterans.<h1>1. Small Business Grants for Veterans</h1>All Americans, including veterans, can apply for SBA loans and grants. It's crucial to note that the Veteran Administration doesn't provide veterans with small business grants. And although the Small Business Administration (SBA) doesn't provide grants for starting or expanding small businesses either, they offer loans, and surety bonds, among other venture capital programs.The SBA is essentially just a loan guarantor. That means that the FED doesn't offer small business money directly. Instead, the SBA guarantees loans availed by lending institutions to qualified veterans and small businesses that qualify. By stepping in as a guarantor, SBA makes it easier for veterans to be eligible for small business loans that they probably wouldn't have qualified for.Small business grants with an open application as of Tuesday 9th August 2022 include;<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="" href="http://www.federalgrants.com/NIOSH-Centers-of-Excellence-for-Total-Worker-Health-174-U19-83459.html">NIOSH Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health® (U19)</a> Deadline: 31st October 2023</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="" href="http://www.federalgrants.com/UNITED-STATES-MILITARY-ACADEMY-Broad-Agency-Announcement-81685.html">UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY Broad Agency Announcement</a> Deadline: 31st March 2025</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="" href="http://www.federalgrants.com/Army-Applications-Lab-Broad-Agency-Announcement-For-Disruptive-Applications-76646.html">Army Applications Lab Broad Agency Announcement For Disruptive Applications</a> Deadline: 1st May 2024</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="" href="http://www.federalgrants.com/Cooperative-Agriculture-67956.html">Cooperative Agriculture</a> Deadline: 30th September 2023</li></ul><h1>2. Housing Grants for Veterans</h1>The United States federal government has two grants available to assist disabled veterans in purchasing a home or modifying an existing one to meet their health needs. The SAH Grant- Specially Adapted Housing Grant pays for veterans with specific disabilities to build a new home or remodel an existing one so they can live independently.The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant is for veterans who want to buy a home that has already been modified to accommodate their disability or who want to modify a current home owned by the veteran or a veteran's family member. The online application links for these veteran housing grants are as follows; <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/about/feature?feature=sah-grant">SAH Grant Application</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/about/feature?feature=cert-of-eligibility-home-loan">SHA Grant Application</a>Furthermore, the government offers veterans home mortgage loans with better financing terms than private bank mortgages. The Veterans Benefits Administration offers four programs to help with this:<ul><li>VA Home Purchase Loans</li><li>VA Cash-Out Refinance Loans</li><li>Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans</li><li>Native American Direct Loan Program</li></ul>&nbsp;<h1>3. College Grants for Veterans</h1>The US Federal Government offers six significant grants to help veterans afford college education and career training. That includes;<ul><li>The Post-9/11 GI Bill</li><li>The VOW to Hire Heroes Veterans Retraining Assistance Program</li><li>The Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)</li><li>The Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD)</li><li>The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)</li><li>The Post-Vietnam Era Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)</li></ul>Veterans can apply for these college grants in person at the Veterans Affairs Office, online at the <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vonapp">Veteran Affairs Website,</a> through a Veteran Affairs Certifying Official, or over the phone at 1-888-GIBILL-1.<h1>4. Health Grants for Veterans</h1>The United States government provides health care benefits to all veterans (except those with dishonorable discharges). The Department of Veterans Affairs provides these healthcare benefits. Among the services offered include; hospital care, outpatient services, medical specialty services, dental, vision, and preventive care. &nbsp;Healthcare services are provided for free in situations where a medical condition is related to their service, and income limits are met. If the condition was not service-related, there might be a copay. To apply for health care grants, veterans can either by phone, mail, in person, or online through the <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vonapp">Veteran Affairs Website.</a>&nbsp;<h1>In Summary</h1>As established in the last decade, there's often a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about veteran grants online. Many unreliable sources offer fake charities that may only end up defrauding veterans. That's why you must understand what is covered in veteran grants and stay vigilant as you look for veteran grant sources.

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Since there's a smaller pool of applicants, you may have a better chance of qualifying for veterans grants than other government funding. With that in mind, let's explore the different available grants for veterans.

Financial Grants for Veterans- Which Grants are Available for Veterans? 

If your loved one has limited mobility, they will primarily benefit from the right kind of home modifications. Even the most straightforward home improvements, such as grab bars in the bathroom, improve the sense of safety, comfort, and dignity for people with disabilities. Unfortunately, making these home modifications can be much more expensive than you can afford.But don’t worry as there are government programs that can help finance these home modifications. Every state usually has a Medicaid program to help foot home modifications costs for people with disabilities. Some home modifications Medicaid can cover include the installation of wheelchair ramps, grab bars in the bathroom, and brighter lighting solutions, among others.The idea behind these home modifications is making the home more livable to foster independence. While this may seem pretty straightforward, Medicaid has specific rules about who can financially and functionally qualify for the program. With that in mind, this article will discuss how you can work with Medicaid for home modifications.&nbsp;<h1>What is the Funding Process for Medicaid Home Modifications?</h1>Step 1: A family member contacts the Medicaid Agency in their state and submits their application for the home modification process.Step 2. If the application for home modification is approved, the Medicaid Agency assigns a Case Manager.Step 3. The Medicaid Agency contacts an Occupational Therapist to provide the appropriate home evaluation of the disability. The OT then recommends specific home modifications that need to be covered under the Medicaid waivers for home modifications.Step 4. The Occupational Therapist submits a recommendation summary to the Case Manager. The CM can provide the family member with a comprehensive list of approved contractors, or they can contact the contractors on behalf of the family.Step 5. Since Medicaid is a competitive bid process, the family should have at least 2-3 bids from different contractors for the project. These bid estimates are forwarded to the Case Manager.Step 6. The CM will choose a specific contractor’s estimates and send them for approval on the specified amount.Step 7: The chosen contractor is provided with a PAR (Prior Authorization Request) to serve as a green light to commence the home modification process.&nbsp;<h1>How Long Will the Home Modification Process Take?</h1>The Medicaid home modification process takes 6 and 9 months to a year before the project begins. Also, note that you are not guaranteed to get funding from your Medicaid Home Modification application.<h2>What is Medicaid’s Waiver Amount for Home Modifications?</h2>The amount you receive for your Medicaid waiver depends on whether you are an adult or a child. Generally, the Medicaid waiver amount for children is $10,000 at an interval of 5 years until they turn 18. As soon as the child turns 18, he/she is transferred to an adult waiver which offers waivers of $14,000 lifetime maximum cap. &nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>What Disabilities Does Medicaid Cover for Home Modification?</h2>Medicaid home modification program covers a wide range of disabilities including;<table><tbody><tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Brain injury·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Multiple sclerosis·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cerebral Palsy·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; HIV/AIDS·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Epilepsy·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ALS·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Autism</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1">·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nursing Facility Care·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Developmental Disability·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Hospital-Level Care·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Geriatric·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Amputee·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Intellectual Disability·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Among other disabilities</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<h2>What Kind of Home Modifications Qualify for Medicaid?</h2>Medicaid programs cater to home and environmental accessibility modifications. That said, some of the home modifications that qualify for Medicaid include:<ul><li>Wheelchair Ramps for improving accessibility for people with disabilities and reducing the risks of falling.</li><li>Lighting adaptations for better overall lighting to reduce the risks of falls. Lighting adaptations also include accessible sockets and light switches as well.</li><li>Widening of the doorways in order to accommodate wheelchairs as well as other mobility aids for people with limited mobility</li><li>Shower modifications to accommodate roll-in wheelchairs. These shower modifications may also include hands-free controls, seat installations, and cube-less showers.</li><li>Medical dispensers help your loved one track their medications, ensuring a single dose is missed.</li><li>Grab bars and handrails to reduce the risk of falls and injuries, especially in bathrooms and staircases.</li><li>Personal Emergency Response Systems to help your loved ones notify someone in case of an accident.</li><li>Stair/Wheelchair lifts help people with limited mobility go up and down the stairs without any risk of falling.</li><li>Accessible handles like lever-style handles make it easier to open and close doors and cabinets.</li><li>Bidets and toilet modifications help people with limited mobility get up and down better and clean themselves after using the toilet.</li></ul>

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Every state usually has a Medicaid program to help foot home modifications cost. Some home modifications Medicaid can cover include the installation of wheelchair ramps, grab bars in the bathroom, and brighter lighting solutions, among others. 

A Guide on How to Work with Medicaid for Home Modifications 

In the United States, living with a disability can be a double-edged sword financially. It’s widely known that there are high additional costs to live with a disability and for those who support individuals with a disability. Luckily, public benefits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid provide financial support and subsidies for individuals with a disability to improve their quality of life. However, these public benefits also come with a means test that restricts eligibility, and the benefits are available only to individual beneficiaries with less than $2,000 in liquid resources–cash savings, non-ABLE checking accounts, savings accounts, and some retirement funds. That means that if an individual with a disability saves more than $2,000 in most general accounts, they can lose access to these benefits, which may be their primary financial support.  This issue is paramount for individuals and their families who are looking to save for future expenses.This week’s article will introduce and break down one of the most underutilized financial vehicles for individuals with disabilities and their families, the ABLE Account.<h3>What is an ABLE account?</h3>An ABLE Account is a tax-advantaged savings account for eligible individuals with qualified disabilities. The “account owner” is the beneficiary of the account, and each owner can have only one account. The income earned (e.g., interest) in the account is not taxable. Any person (e.g., family, friends, the beneficiary, etc.) can contribute to the ABLE Account.<h3>Who is eligible for an ABLE account?</h3>Individuals who developed a qualified disability before turning 26 years old are eligible for an ABLE Account. If an individual is older than 26 but developed their disability before age 26, they can still open an ABLE Account.You can open an account <a href="https://www.ablenrc.org/select-a-state-program/">entirely online</a> or directly through the participating banking institutions in each participating state.<h3>Are there contribution limits on an ABLE Account?</h3> The annual contribution limit into an ABLE account is $15,000. If the funds in an ABLE Account exceed $100,000, this may impact the SSI eligibility for the account owner. Note that in addition to the annual contribution limit, each state has its own specific ABLE account balance limit (e.g., $396,000 in Montana, $500,000 in Texas).<h3>What can you buy with the funds in an ABLE account?</h3>Funds in an ABLE Account can be spent on “qualified disability expenses” (QDE). QDE’s are defined as any expense related to the account owner’s disability that assists them in increasing and/or maintaining their health, independence and/or quality of life. Account owners can cover expenses such as assistive technology, health care expenses, home modifications, transportation, housing, employment training, and more.<h3>What are some practical uses for an ABLE account?</h3><ol><li style="list-style-type: none;"><ol><li>Providing Financial Control: The account owner can make final financial decisions,  including how to spend, invest, and save the funds in the ABLE Account. This autonomy differs from a special needs trust, where every expenditure must be approved.</li><li>Paying for household expenses: An account owner can use funds from their ABLE Account on utilities and housing expenses and this will not incur an SSI      “in-kind support and maintenance” (<a href="https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v74n3/v74n3p39.html">ISM</a>) penalty.</li><li>Shielding Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) and Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) Account Funds: Once a child with a disability becomes an adult, if they have a savings account and/or funds in a UGMA/UTMA account, those funds will be counted towards determining eligibility for public benefit programs. If funds are moved from these accounts to an ABLE Account, they will not be counted for eligibility. </li></ol></li></ol><h3>Can I invest the funds contributed into an ABLE account?</h3>Yes! An ABLE account is like a 529-college savings plan where individuals can create investment strategies to meet their risk tolerance. Individuals can only change their investment allocations twice a year.<h3>What are the ABLE Account guidelines per state?</h3>There are 46 states that offer an ABLE Account plan. Those states offer different account balance caps and requirements. If an Account Owner is a resident in a state that does not offer an ABLE Account, s/he/they are eligible to open an account in another state. You’re able to check evaluate each state’s ABLE Account plan <a href="https://www.ablenrc.org/select-a-state-program/">here</a>.Follow this <a href="http://www.ablenrc.org/select-a-state-program/">link</a> and select the state to find additional state-based information including but not limited to:<ol><li>Annual Contribution Limit</li><li>Banking Institutions</li><li>Investment Options</li><li>State program at a glance</li></ol><h3>Where can I find more information on ABLE accounts?</h3><ol><li style="list-style-type: none;"><ol><li><a href="https://www.ablenrc.org/">ABLE National Resource Center</a></li><li>The Indicator from Planet Money (podcast): <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/26/1049446936/revisiting-the-able-act">Revisiting the ABLE Act</a></li><li>IRS: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/federal-state-local-governments/able-accounts-tax-benefit-for-people-with-disabilities">ABLE Accounts - Tax Benefit for People with Disabilities</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ablenow.com/resources/blog/introducing-the-ablenow-mobile-app/">ABLEnow Mobile App</a> – The first mobile app offered by an ABLE program, providing a convenient way to access and manage an ABLEnow account from an iOS or Android device.</li><li><a href="https://www.ablenow.com/resources/blog/pay-with-your-mobile-device/">ABLEnow Mobile Wallet</a> – Now, account owners can pay for qualified disability expenses with their phone by adding their ABLEnow Card to their mobile wallet.</li></ol></li></ol>

Money showering individuals. Featured image for the ABLE account article

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With an ABLE account, you pay taxes on money going into your account, and then all income earned is tax free.  Learn how this account can help you with costs associated with accessible living!

Demystifying accessibility policy

Latest stories for demystifying accessibility policy

The ADA- The History of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Financial Grants for Veterans- Which Grants are Available for Veterans?

A Guide on How to Work with Medicaid for Home Modifications

The ABLE Account: The Tax-advantaged Savings Account for Individuals with Qualified Disabilities