Disability Experts of Florida's Blog

Living with a disability can at times be challenging and exhausting. Sometimes, when you’re feeling down, it can help to know there are other people out there in the same or at least a similar boat. We scoured the internet to find the best blogs regarding disability, and have come up with five inspirational ones—and an extra one perfect for those with a wry sense of humor.

The federal American With Disability Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990, making it illegal for employers, including private, state and local government, and labor organizations, to discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. This doesn’t just apply to hiring practices—it also includes recruitment, promotions, training, type of work, and firing on the basis of disability.

Fighting for the rights of the disabled has been an uphill battle, but over the years significant strides have been made. A turning point came in 1990, when President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. The ADA made discrimination based upon disability illegal, and specified five key factors:

Unlike most other developed countries, the United States does not have a mandatory maternity law on a national level (a handful of states do, but Florida is not one of them). While many companies have taken it upon themselves to offer some form of paid maternity leave, many others have not. So what is a new mom to do?

Overcoming adversity is a cornerstone of the human experience. For many people, they are able to rise above a challenge and move on from it. However, those with disabilities may face challenges daily. So when a disabled person is able to not just overcome adversity but achieve unparalleled levels of success, it is truly inspiring!

Have you heard about Pebbles, the emotional support hamster? Or Dexter the peacock? What about Hobie the pig? If not, we’ll look at these cases in a bit. But the fact is, the number of people claiming their pet constitutes an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) has risen in recent years, causing lawmakers and business owners to suspect that many are abusing the system. And while ESAs do provide a real benefit to physically and mentally disabled individuals, they are not considered true service animals, which is often where much of the confusion lies.

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.