Cognitive Disabilities, Disability Insurance and Trades
Why we need to do more than just provide disability insurance
We are lucky to have access to things like disability insurance or SSI because some people absolutely need it to help them get by in this life. That said, I do not think that SSI should be a goal to achieve, especially when young adults are capable of so much more and deserve to live a life that provides them with more income and a good reason to “get up and go every day.”
If having SSI means someone is sitting at home either sleeping all day or watching TV, they are not feeling very accomplished. In addition, having too much time on one’s hand without having a sense of purpose (Dharma) can lead to drug and alcohol addiction; hanging out with “the wrong people;” or even having encounters with law enforcement for unacceptable behaviors.
So let’s take a look at other reasons that SSI may not be enough and why training in the trades can be beneficial.
While Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides some financial assistance to young adults with cognitive disabilities, it is often not enough to meet all of their needs. Here are some reasons why SSI may not be enough:
- Limited income: SSI provides a limited income that may not cover all of the expenses that these young adults may have. For example, SSI may not be enough to cover the costs of housing, transportation, and medical care.
- High cost of living: The cost of living can be particularly high for ALL young adults, and even more so for those with cognitive disabilities who require specialized services and supports. These services and supports may include housing modifications, assistive technology, and personal care services, which can be expensive.
- Limited access to healthcare: Young adults with cognitive disabilities may require more frequent and specialized healthcare services, which can be expensive and may not be fully covered by SSI. In addition, individuals with cognitive disabilities may have difficulty accessing mental healthcare services, due to limited availability or affordability. Without access to these services, they may struggle to manage their mental health conditions effectively, which further contributes to the inability to hold a job long term.
- Social isolation: Being without work and on SSI, individuals with cognitive disabilities may struggle to form and maintain social connections, which can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Without support and social interaction, their mental health conditions may worsen over time.
- Unique challenges: Overall, young adults with cognitive disabilities may face unique challenges related to their disability that can increase their expenses and make it difficult to make ends meet, such as specialized diets, transportation needs, services, mental health and assistive technology.
While we are thankful that SSI exists and can provide some financial assistance, it may not be enough to meet all of their needs. Additional support and resources, such as specific hands-on vocational training, employment support, and access to healthcare, may be necessary to help them live full and independent lives. As a parent, that is one of the ultimate goals…. To help our kids be happy and independent.
As mentioned above with respect to vocational training, there are several reasons why young adults with cognitive disabilities may benefit from working in trades such as landscaping, painting, and plastering:
- Develop vocational skills: Trades such as landscaping, painting, and plastering provide practical, hands-on experience that can help young adults with cognitive disabilities develop valuable vocational skills. These skills can help them become more independent, increase their self-confidence, and improve their overall quality of life.
- Opportunities for social interaction: Working in trades often involves working in teams, which can provide young adults with cognitive disabilities opportunities for social interaction and building relationships with their peers and co-workers.
- Physical activity and exercise: These trades can also be physically demanding, which can provide this group with opportunities for exercise and physical activity. Often, weight and health can be an issue for this population, as they do not tend to take care of themselves in a very healthy way. Again, if at home for long periods of time, many young adults are bored and turn to food and drink.
- Sense of accomplishment: Completing a task, such as painting a room or landscaping a yard, can provide a sense of accomplishment and pride in one's work, which can be especially important. This group often faces challenges in many areas of their lives. So, they deserve to feel good about what they can do.
- Opportunities for creativity: Trades such as landscaping, painting and plastering can provide young adults with with opportunities for creativity and self-expression. This can be especially important for individuals who may struggle with traditional academic pursuits. Dharma Dreams Vocational Center puts the focus on what students CAN learn and not on what they CANNOT learn very easily.
As you can see, working in trades such as landscaping, painting, and plastering can provide our students at Dharma Dreams Vocational Center with valuable vocational skills, opportunities for social interaction, physical activity, a sense of accomplishment, and opportunities for creativity. These are all good reasons to come learn these skills here at our program. APPLY NOW
