Disability Experts of Florida's Blog

The use of medicinal marijuana is becoming more common around the country, with 27 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico all having some form of medicinal marijuana acceptance laws with a doctor’s recommendation. Eight states now even have full legalization.

Physical and mental disability can leave people struggling to make ends meet, making applying for disability benefits a necessity for many Americans. However, without a doctor’s endorsement, obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits can be difficult. Unfortunately, disability leaves many individuals unable to secure work and a paycheck, greatly hindering their ability to afford to see a doctor.

Omnibus. It sounds ominous, right?

But it makes sense. Derived from Latin and meaning "for everything," the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill covers everything from border walls to baseball. Approved by congress and signed by President Trump in March, the omnibus bill (officially known as the Consolidations Appropriations Act) still left many wondering if and how it may impact Social Security Administration disability payments.

There wasn’t a whole lot of talk about COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, until recently. Now, commercials for COPD medications and treatment consume the airwaves; Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, right Boomers? But for many, we’re wondering what is COPD, who is affected by it, and is Social Security Disability available for those suffering from the disease.

What are the right words? Which are the wrong ones?

What can I do—and what shouldn’t I do?

If you have a friend or loved one who is the parent of a special needs child, these are all questions you may be asking yourself.

As advocates for the disabled, we work tirelessly every day to ensure their well-being and future security. But unfortunately, cases of abuse happen all too frequently—and these are only the ones that we know about. Abuse can happen in a home situation, by a parent, child, or partner. But it can also happen in a special care facility, where we may unknowingly entrust our loved ones to untrained, inexperienced, or simply abusive caregivers (we use that term loosely in some situations).

While progress has been gradual, life for Americans with disabilities has been improving. Laws have been enacted to provide protection; benefits are being provided; housing is becoming equal; and proper public accommodations are being offered. But with the United States Census Bureau reporting that nearly one in five Americans is disabled, we wanted to take a deeper dive into the numbers.

While many people around the world continue to look toward America as the land of opportunity, others are considering making a temporary or even permanent move.

Social Security recipients, we have good news: the Social Security Administration (SSA) has released their annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), and we’re happy to report that there will be a two percent increase.

Designed to keep up with the ever-changing cost of living, this social security benefit adjustment is the highest increase in six years.