Category: all 50 states
Google Making Improvements to Smartphone Accessibility
When it comes to accessibility, Google is ahead of the curve. The tech giant recently offered up additional changes to enhance smartphone accessibility, not to shy away from improvements. In fact, Google optimizes many of its features and products for accessibility and encourages those who interface with their platforms and products to do the same. […]
Increased Social Security Benefits Are Coming for the Disabled Community
A 2022 cost-of-living adjustment will positively impact Social Security benefits for the disabled community. The increase, tied to the Consumer Price Index, is the highest since 1982 and the most significant in over ten years. Additionally, the infrastructure bill continues to make its way through the legislative process. In this post, Direct Care Innovations reviews […]
Jobs Act Provides Better Jobs and Better Care for Those with Disabilities
Those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) sometimes face difficult choices. For instance, they can live in segregated settings, such as group homes, attend day programs, or aim for community living with home and community-based services (HCBS). However, the service system must evolve to offer self-directed, person-centered care for those with disabilities. At Direct Care […]
Vaccine Mandates Could Leave Those with IDD Awaiting Care
President Biden recently announced the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which requires healthcare workers to get vaccinated or face losing their jobs. You’ve probably heard about the healthcare worker shortage hospitals are experiencing all across the country. As a result, many employees in the healthcare industry have resigned or faced termination. At Direct Care Innovations, we understand […]
Employers Increasingly Post “Urgent” Home Health Care Job Openings
Job postings on Indeed qualified as “urgent hires” have increased 50% since January, 2021. Many of the open positions with urgent needs are in the healthcare field. At Direct Care Innovations, we support the managed healthcare and home healthcare providers serving people with intellectual disabilities. This segment, too, feels the weight of the current situation. […]
Funding Keeps Those Living With Developmental Disabilities in the Home
Funding and home healthcare staffing shortages could combine to create an untenable situation for those living with developmental disabilities in the home. Many of those with disabilities have loved ones and family members who provide care, and they don’t want congregate care. That being said, many factors contribute to their ongoing needs and their loved […]
Disability Advocates Praise Recent Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare
The Supreme Court recently refused to hear a case against the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which is also known as Obamacare. Why? They declined to hear the case because it lacked standing. Regardless, many healthcare advocates, including those who support people living with disabilities, consider it a huge win. To that end, Direct Care Innovations […]
5 Sensible Guidelines for Interacting with Individuals with Disabilities
Those living with disabilities and those who work with such individuals are all too familiar with others’ discomforts. Certainly, ignorance and prejudice can spark discomfort. At the same time, some people fear they’ll say or do something wrong, and yet others fall somewhere in between. No matter where you place yourself on the spectrum, it’s […]
How to Prepare for the Electronic Visit Verification Mandate
By now, you’re familiar with the federal Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) regulation. The mandate requires caregivers for the elderly or developmentally disabled to track visits electronically. In addition to the length of time and other visit details, GPS functionality also fulfills the requirement. Direct Care Innovations understands the burdens placed on caregiver agencies and managed […]
Biden’s Infrastructure Plan Includes Caregiver Pay Raise
Those struggling with intellectual disabilities who can’t live independently rely on loved ones or paraprofessionals to provide care. In either scenario, lack of consistency and low wages present obstacles to quality care. President Biden’s infrastructure plan includes a $400 billion provision in Medicaid to support caregiver pay raises to address this issue. In this post, […]