Expand Protections and Support for People with Disabilities

Expand who receives benefits from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Increase funding for OPWDD for more resources and funding to properly support the lives of people with disabilities.

The Problem 

Due to ongoing stigma and discrimination, people with disabilities overcome countless barriers to accessibility on a day-to-day basis. People with a disability may not be able to earn more than $1,260 a month without risking losing their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), meaning they often turn down promotions or job growth to be able to keep their SSDI. Moreover, OPWDD currently limits who can qualify for benefits, and does not extend its resources to all people with disabilities. Ultimately, this creates problems not only for income, but for quality of life.

Our Plan 

The OPWDD needs to be expanded in who is eligible to receive benefits and staffed by people with lived experience.

• Expand funding and coverage of OPWDD.

  • Change the qualification process to be more accessible. 

  • Recruit people with disabilities to positions at all levels in this organization.  

• Protect funding for disability services. 

• Change the funding requirements for people with disabilities.

  • Establish a flat anti-poverty benefit, which would increase funding for the most in need.

This Matters

Too often, disability services are the first to be eliminated from the budget, which is unacceptable. People with disabilities should not have to decide between working to their full potential or the benefits they need. Reforming the OPWDD and SSDI laws will increase professional growth options, which is essential for protecting the quality and dignity of life. A special thanks to Shain Anderson for sharing your lived experiences with us!