Individuals with disabilities encounter unique obstacles every day. Doing simple things that many of us take for granted in our daily lives—driving to work, running errands, walking the dog, or simply making dinner—can be a challenge to a person with a disability in Philadelphia and surrounding areas.
Since the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was enacted in 1990, many barriers have been removed for disabled individuals, allowing them more access to their world and more independence. Unfortunately, our current system still makes it difficult for disabled people to live in community settings, receive affordable healthcare and medical support, and hold jobs.
Philadelphia was founded by immigrants who cared for each other as a community. Today, many local programs and support groups serve disabled populations throughout Philadelphia, working to make life more comfortable for disabled individuals.
The Challenges of a Disability in Philadelphia
Living with a disability can be physically, emotionally, and financially challenging. While limitations may be physical, individuals with a disability often also struggle with social isolation and depression.
Physical and cognitive limitations can require ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and the installation of lifts and ramps in the home, which create overwhelming financial burdens. Being dependent on others can weigh on an individual’s feelings of well-being and independence. Disabled individuals are more likely to suffer from serious illnesses and experience obstacles and discrimination when seeking other healthcare services.
Lack of Community Support
Disabled individuals can require many long-term services and support for managing their daily lives. While not all people with disabilities require around-the-clock care, those with significant disabilities can be entirely dependent on others.
People with disabilities prefer to live in communities rather than institutional settings. But in many areas, finding consistent, quality long-term support services for these individuals can be difficult. Our current system lacks adequate quality community care, and those with disabilities often find themselves in more clinical settings than ones that feel like home. This is beginning to change in the Philadelphia area.
The Financial Burdens of Disability in Philadelphia
It is expensive to live with a disability. Individuals have costs that range from ongoing educational services, medications, doctor visits, home modifications, a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, in-home personal care, and adaptive devices and clothing. While government disability benefits are available to eligible disabled individuals, they are often hard-won.
Evidence suggests that disabled individuals often get less preventive care and a lower quality of care than those who are not disabled. Because of the higher cost of disability and lack of access to resources, individuals with disabilities are more likely to have poorer health outcomes and live below the federal poverty level.
Disability Benefits and Employment
Despite their financial burdens, a great majority of disabled individuals do not work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 19.1 percent of people suffering a disability were actively employed in 2021.
One reason for this is that people receiving disability benefits risk losing them if they make over a certain amount of income. Because their disabilities may require that they maintain flexibility in their daily lives to get the services and support they need, they are often unable to consider many employment and financial options.
Are You Having Difficulty Getting Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits?
If you’ve suffered a disability in Philadelphia, you may have been unsuccessful in getting disability benefits from the federal government. Navigating Social Security Disability Insurance benefit eligibility can be complicated, and small errors can result in a denial. At Silver & Silver, we are experienced SSDI attorneys who help disabled individuals navigate the system so they can get the critical benefits they need and deserve. Call us at (610) 638-7255 or contact us online to schedule a no-cost consultation to see how we may be able to help you.
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This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Unless a representation agreement has been signed with the Law Offices of Silver and Silver, we are not your legal representatives.