Future of Disability in America

The future of disability in America will depend on how well the U.S. prepares for and manages the demographic, fiscal, and technological developments that will unfold during the next two to three decades.Building upon two prior studies from the Institute of Medicine (the 1991 Institute of Medicine's report Disability in America and the 1997 report Enabling America), The Future of Disability in America examines both progress and concerns about continuing barriers that limit the independence, productivity, and participation in community life of people with disabilities. This book offers a comprehensive look at a wide range of issues, including the prevalence of disability across the lifespan; disability trends the role of assistive technology; barriers posed by health care and other facilities with inaccessible buildings, equipment, and information formats; the needs of young people moving from pediatric to adult health care and of adults experiencing premature aging and secondary health problems; selected issues in health care financing (e.g., risk adjusting payments to health plans, coverage of assistive technology); and the organizing and financing of disability-related research. The Future of Disability in America is an assessment of both principles and scientific evidence for disability policies and services. This book's recommendations propose steps to eliminate barriers and strengthen the evidence base for future public and private actions to reduce the impact of disability on individuals, families, and society. Table of ContentsFront Matter Summary1 Introduction2 Definition and Monitoring of Disability3 Disability Trends4 Health Care Transitions for Young People5 Secondary Conditions and Aging with Disability6 The Environmental Context of Disability: The Case of Health Care Facilities7 Assistive and Mainstream Technologies for People with Disabilities8 Access to Health Insurance and the Role of Risk-Adjusted Payments to Health Plans9 Coverage of Assistive Technologies and Personal Assistive Services10 Organization and Support of Disability ResearchReferencesAppendix A Study ActivitiesAppendix B Table of Contents for Workshop on Disability in America: A New Look (2006)Appendix C Risk Adjustment of Insurance Premiums in the United States and Implications for People with DisabilitiesAppendix D The Americans with Disabilities Act in a Health Care ContextAppendix E The Employment Discrimination Provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act: Implementation and ImpactAppendix F Access to Telecommunications Technology by Americans with Disabilities: Key Laws and PoliciesAppendix G Transportation Patterns and Problems of People with DisabilitiesAppendix H Committee on Disability in America Biographical SketchesIndex