A New SSA Definition of Disability is Forthcoming

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A New SSA Definition of Disability is Forthcoming

Source: http://www.ssab.gov/Disability-System-for-the-21st-

century.htm

A Disability System for the 21st Century

In its October 2003 report, The Social Security Definition of

Disability, the Social Security Advisory Board observed that, " The

original Social Security disability programs were.designed to serve

those who had no realistic expectation of a return to the workforce

because of a combination of severity of disability and attainment of

near retirement age. " That report raised the question of whether or

not the Social Security definition of disability facilitates an

appropriate approach to supporting and enabling persons with

disabilities. After 3 years of intensive study of this question, the

Board has issued a followup report outlining its vision of a

disability system for the 21st century that is in alignment with the

Americans With Disabilities Act, which proclaimed " the Nation's

proper goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure

equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and

economic self-sufficiency for such individuals. "

The Board's report is available now in a preliminary electronic

version. Printed copies will be available at a later date. See:

http://www.ssab.gov/documents/disability-system-21st.pdf Their

availability will be announced here.