Category: I/DD
3 Questions to Ask as You Set Intentions for the New Year
New Year’s resolutions and personal goals are valuable tools to motivate ourselves as we implement positive life changes. For caregivers or individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), it can be challenging to find the time, motivation, and energy to set goals and meet those expectations. Concentrating on our intentions — the why behind […]
How an SSI Update May Increase Benefits for the I/DD Community
More than seven million Americans receive supplemental security income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This valuable benefit helps many individuals, including those living with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DDs), pay for living expenses such as utilities, groceries, and rent. The agency is proposing an update to its current SSI calculations that would result […]
4 New Resources to Help State Medicaid and Partner Agencies
As family members who care for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities (I/DD) age, there is an increasing need to support aging caregivers. Family members may need to plan for their loved one’s future or access state Medicare or Medicaid services for themselves. In response to this concern, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services […]
How Record Inflation Hit Individuals with Disabilities the Hardest
Almost everyone has noticed the ever-increasing prices of items we need for the basic standards of living. From rent and groceries to gas and utilities, the post-pandemic, record-breaking inflation has left many of us trying to figure out what we can cut so we can pay our bills. For individuals living with disabilities, this current […]
New Federal Resources Supporting the Disability Community
The developmental disability and special needs community has gained new ground with the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. This $1.7 trillion federal spending package provides resources across a variety of government programs, including those that assist individuals with special needs and developmental disabilities. At Direct Care Innovations, we are happy to celebrate […]
More Support Needed for Family Caregivers
In the fall of 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) revealed its first collaborative and strategic national plan for providing family caregivers with various supports and resources. The 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers consists of several hundred action steps that can help relieve family caregivers of the extra burdens […]
How Adaptive Bikes Assist Individuals Living with Disabilities
Not only is bicycling a great form of exercise, but it’s also a fun leisure activity individuals can enjoy on their own or with others. In recent years, adaptive bicycles have been developed so individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) can experience bike riding in a way that accommodates their needs. Direct Care Innovations […]