When it comes to movies, people with disabilities are rarely seen. So, when a film depicting a disabled individual comes around, no matter the disability, we like to highlight it. Be sure to check out part one of this series, and take a look at a few more covered below.

As the government shutdown wears on, many Americans who are on Social Security disability or retirement benefits are becoming increasingly worried. Shutdowns since 1980 have lasted, on average, five and a half days, making them of little concern to recipients; however, the current government shutdown is now the longest in our country’s history with over 800,000 employees furloughed, as President Trump and Congress struggle to reach an agreement that would reopen it.

In our recent blog 8 Tips to Winning Your Social Security Disability Case, we said that honesty is always the best policy. We also recommended that you don’t overshare, e.g. bringing up a criminal record or a history of drug abuse if you’re not asked about it. If you are asked, it’s not grounds for dismissal and it’s likely they will find out about it anyhow, so stick to the truth. That said, here are five statements that are probably going to hurt you when you go before the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

Since 1965, Medicaid has been helping families on welfare, low-income seniors, disabled individuals, pregnant women, and newborns by providing a form of health coverage. Under President Obama, Medicaid was expanded, allowing states to cover millions more low-income adults. Today, this federal-state collaboration covers more than 70 million Americans, making it the nation’s largest health insurance program.

Many people believe that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is focused mainly on preventing discrimination for those with disabilities seeking employment. What they may not realize is that ADA legislation is also there to provide job security to those who become disabled while already employed, whether the disability is job-related or not. First, a little background on the ADA.

For most people who are unburdened by physical and mental challenges, July 26, 1990 was a day like any other. But for an estimated 55 million Americans at that time, it was a historic day that changed their lives forever. On that day, President George H.W. Bush sat down at a desk on a stage that had been erected on the White House lawn. Surrounded by Evan Kemp Jr., the Equal Employment Opportunity commissioner, and Justin Dart, the disability rights leader, Bush picked up a pen and signed into law the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Deciding whether to put a family member in an assisted living or nursing home facility is never an easy choice. It can mark a time in a person’s life that many are afraid to acknowledge. So, it only makes sense that, if it must be done, your grandparents, parents, or other family member receives the best care possible. One of the more costly aspects of this choice is exactly that: the cost.

Depression is a mental illness that leaves many feeling helpless, useless, and stuck, going far beyond feelings of sadness. The debilitating effects for a person with depression can keep them in bed for days, ignoring basic hygiene and daily activities, and heavily impacting their work and personal relationships.

According to World Health Organization and World Bank figures, about 1 billion people—15% of the world’s population—are disabled. With that in mind, the United Nations held the Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities in 2006. At the convention, held in New York City, a human rights treaty was presented, designed to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and ensure their right to education and work, among other things. Today, the treaty has 162 signatories and 177 parties. And while there has been much progress, there have also been a number of setbacks. For example, only 28% of surveyed countries constitutionally guarantee quality education for people with disabilities, and only 18% guarantee their right to work. So, here's a look at three very different countries and reported treatment of the disabled in each.

Since 1955, Tax Day has rolled around once a year, typically on April 15th for those living in the United States, and June 15th for US citizens living abroad or in a US territory (due to a two-month automatic extension granted by the IRS). For individuals working for an employer, tax season is pretty straightforward; your employer deducts taxes from your paycheck, and at the end of the year you receive a W-2 form telling you how much you owe the government—or how much the government owes you. For Social Security Disability (SSDI) beneficiaries, it’s not quite as cut and dry. Let’s take a closer look.