Social Security Administration forming disability think tank

[Guest guest]

January 22, 2000

Social Security Administration forming disability think tank

By Ann Farrell

The Social Security Administration is getting ready to look more closely at

disability issues under a newly formed Disability Research Institute.

Policies and topics addressed by the institute may not affect those with

disabilities right away, but could have an impact down the road on

everything from disability determination interviews to medical technology

and the workplace.

According to the Social Security Administration, there are some 8 million

Americans who receive federal benefit checks from it.

So what will the Disabilty Research Institute be?

" It's an idea that came to us from our retirement program, " says a

Laird, DRI project officer. " It's a type of think tank that looks and gives

us new insights into the policies we make so that Social Security can stay

informed about developments in the retirement community and which way we

should be directing our policy. "

Social Security staff thought the same opportunities might work for the

disability community it serves.

Laird says the institute will also examine how the Social Security

Administration affects people with disabilities and how the current system

can work better.

The federal agency is seeking a group or institution to help run the

institute, she says.

" We announced open applications for the grantee (position) in the Federal

Register and that was closed as of Jan. 12. We're not allowed to go into

detail as to who submitted or what their proposals were. "

The decision will be announced by April 1, she says.

" Whoever the grantee will be, we're looking at something like a coalition of

think tanks or a university which can put together the best individuals to

look at new policies in the areas of disability, " she says.

Rambath, the alternate project officer, says the institute will look

into at least three specific areas.

" The first is looking at the impact in advancements in technology and

medicine on work and people with disabilities, " Rambath says.

" Second is the effects of rehabilitation and support on that project for

people with disabilities who continue to work.

" And third, we want to look at the impact of medicine and occupational

factors on making our disability determinations. That, of course, would

affect everyone who files for disability. "

Presently, there are conditions such as fibromyalgia, certain back pain,

chronic fatigue syndrome and other impairments that affect large numbers of

people but are not considered issues when it comes to collecting from the

SSA. Would the administration consider altering its determinations on who

gets what?

" It could change, " Rambath says. " How functional people are is the key word

here. It could broaden the scope but I don't know. Then again, when it comes

to other areas, it could narrow the scope of it. "

Rambath does say he hopes the institute will put the SSA more in touch with

all kinds of disability issues and medical conditions.

" Hopefully it will improve lives, " he says. " The more SSA knows about the

average person with a disability, the effects of that impairment and the

effects of medical technology and rehabilitation services, the more we can

administer effectively.

" We now have the new work incentives program which will dramatically change

the lives of those with disabilities (in that they can also now collect from

other employment and still collect from the SSA). The one thing we do know

is that nobody with a disability looks to stay with Social Security for the

rest of his life. That's a myth. Anything SSA can do to give greater

opportunity will be an improvement. "

The day-to-day operations and staff of the institute will be determined

later. The public, however, can keep up with its workings. For more

information, write SSA, ORES; 6401 Security Boulevard, 4C15 Operations

Building, Baltimore, MD 21235.

The SSA will also post updates and institute findings on its Web site:

http://www.ssa.gov/ When the site comes up, type in the phrase Disability

Research Institute. The new findings will then appear.

If you're an individual who collects from Social Security because of a

disability, you might want to keep up with the institute's findings. In

time, it could not only affect your determination and eligibility, but also

your current medical and occupational services.

(Send inquiries about this column to: Ann Farrell, Knight

Ridder/Tribune News Service, 790 National Press Building, Washington, DC

20045.)