The impact of the Davis and Doe litigation was significant.  First, the SSA modified form number SSA-821-BK (Work Activity Report) by adding language that addressed individuals with mental as well as physical impairments.  Second, the SSA agreed to provide accommodations, including training for SSA field office employees in the use of alternative communication methods with plaintiffs to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which requires that all government agencies must ensure effective communication with disabled individuals for equal meaningful program access.

We also hold legal clinics (i.e., consultations with attorneys) for beneficiaries of Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income who have mental and/or developmental disabilities and are having post-entitlement / eligibility issues, including overpayments, due to returning to work.

PWDF’s Education Program does outreach and education on issues relevant to developmental disabilities through seminars, workshops, community outreach, and written and video resources.  This includes many events focusing on employment, either related to reasonable accommodations or to Social Security disability benefits.  PWDF’s founder and Legal Director, Steven Bruce, has led trainings on reasonable accommodations in employment for psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities for US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigators. He has spoken on the topic in many fora, including for the Federal Executive Board’s Disability Opportunity Council and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, among others.

PWDF has produced two video resources on reasonable accommodations in employment for people with mental disabilities:  Understanding Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities and Accommodating Employees and Job Applicants with Psychiatric Disabilities in the Workplace.  The content of these videos includes many concepts and strategies that are transferrable to individuals with developmental disabilities and may provide insights into the range and types of accommodations that could be successful for this population. Understanding has been recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health as an effective national anti-discrimination/anti-stigma campaign.

PWDF also submits written public comments to federal agencies on relevant issues that support competitive, integrated employment for people with developmental disabilities.  Examples include comments and recommendations on the SSA’s proposed plan for meeting its requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, recommendations for potential revisions to the SSA’s Ticket To Work program rules in response to the SSA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and comments to the U.S. Department of Labor for a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities.

PWDF continually offers educational events that address issues specific to mental and/or developmental disabilities.  We offered a public awareness seminar entitled, “Autism and Technology: Resources and Opportunities for Transitional Age Youth,” and are now planning a follow-up public awareness seminar related to autism.  We provide educational workshops regarding employment issues for people with developmental disabilities as well.  One recent example includes our SSDI (Title II) and SSI (Title XVI) Work Incentive Rules and Overpayments, which was presented to staff and clients of an organization that serves people with developmental disabilities. The workshop covered SSI and SSDI work incentive program rules, work review process, and overpayment information as they pertain to people with developmental disabilities.

PWDF continues to research, discuss, and present workshops, trainings and seminars regarding the diversity of concerns surrounding developmental disabilities. PWDF is deeply committed to independent, community living that allows all individuals to thrive.