Disability Thinking Weekday: 12/17/24
Homecare, workplaces, and air travel
Three more disability links for Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
1. How Fast is New York’s Home Care Program Growing?
Michael Kinnucan, Fiscal Policy Institute - December 12, 2024
“At the heart of this debate is the question of CDPAP growth. New York State Budget Director Blake Washington said during last year’s budget debate that CDPAP has grown more than 1,200 percent over the past decade—a striking figure that has been cited frequently in press coverage of the program.[4] It is certainly true that CDPAP has grown dramatically, but to take this number in isolation is misleading. CDPAP is one of two types of home care offered by New York State Medicaid, alongside agency-model home care, and CDPAP has grown in large part by replacing agency-model care. Only by placing CDPAP in the context of New York’s larger home care program can we understand why it is growing and what, if anything, should be done about it.”
Once again, I am focusing for a minute on an issue that’s more local — to me here in New York State — than the national and international disability issues I usually discuss here. But there are elements of this issue that are relevant in most areas of the U.S., and probably in other countries too. For example, how and why do governments that are usually indifferent to disability programs occasionally turn strongly against them? More importantly, this article and issue highlights the critical difference between more traditional, agency-managed disability services and those that are run by disabled people themselves on a day-to-day basis. Consumer direction of services like home care — like being able to hire and supervise your own home care aids — is an important and liberating trend in disability services. But it feels like it gets relatively little attention in public debate on disability policy, even in disability-focused media.
2. Disability inclusion at work: Why isn’t more progress happening?
Tom Starner, HR Executive - December 13, 2024
“Many HR experts predict that corporate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts will increasingly broaden to encompass more communities in the coming years. However, new research finds significant work remains to create more inclusive, accessible workplaces for one particular group of employees: those who are disabled.”
The data cited in this piece is interesting. Some of it is surprising. But the advice for employers is pretty much what one would expect. Which means the suggestions are mostly right, but not exactly new or transformative. Still, it’s good to keep asking basic questions about why our most familiar and long-standing disability rights goals still haven’t been achieved. It’s important to ask, even if the answers the same as they have always been, and the solutions offered are a bit tepid.
3. This is the world's most disability-friendly airline
Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler - December 14, 2024
“I immediately noticed the warm welcome and helpful approach of the airline staff – a marked difference from the blank stares I typically receive when requesting any form of assistance. Then, in an act that felt more valuable than any upgrade, the cabin manager, Vicky, carefully packed my manual wheelchair and battery-powered attachment into a dedicated onboard cupboard. Her confidence in handling mobility aids and understanding my requirements struck the perfect balance of assistance without being infantilising. I took off with a peace of mind I hadn't experienced since my pre-paralysis days. As I celebrated with a complimentary glass of Champagne, I wished this was the norm for all of us, always.”
Airline accessibility is one of those disability issues that on one level isn’t that important, but is extremely compelling on another. On the one hand, it affects only a fairly small number of disabled people who can afford to even consider air travel, much less shop around for a more accessible and inclusive airline. On the other hand, it instinctively feels like airlines should be able to be a lot more accessible than they are — and it seems ludicrous that they still aren’t. Either way, it’s good to see a specific airline making progress. It’s also worth noting that in the case of Air New Zealand, the key doesn’t seem to be technology alone, which is often cited as a reason why airlines can’t be more accessible and respectful of disabled passengers. Rather, their better performance seems to stem from a culture of authentic disability-informed inclusion that reaches all airline staff. It’s the human side that makes the difference.
Disability Thinking Weekday is moving!
As explained in the December 2 edition, this newsletter is moving from Substack to Ghost on January 1, 2025. I had asked for people to help me with the approximately $400 in moving expenses, by renewing their paid subscriptions early. Unfortunately, Substack doesn’t seem to allow this. So there are two options if you want to provide some extra support for the move:
1. Click the link to make a one-time donation through Ko-Fi, or,
2. Wait until the move in January, and start a new annual membership then.
Either way, annual paid memberships will still be set at a discounted price of $40 through December and January.