88. Service Dogs and Disability Rights with Tiffany Lee, JD

Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD, Dr. Linda Bluestein

In this episode, Professor Tiffany Lee is interviewed about service dogs and disability rights and accommodations. They discuss the Americans with Disabilities Act, the definition of disability, and disability benefits. They also explore reasonable accommodations in the workplace and education settings, as well as the challenges and advocacy involved. The conversation covers topics such as disclosing disabilities to employers and universities, getting a service dog, dealing with unresponsive disability lawyers, appealing denied disability benefits, and correcting inaccuracies in medical records. The episode provides valuable insights and guidance for individuals with disabilities navigating legal and practical aspects of their rights and accommodations. Professor Lee wanted to clarify the following points from the discussion of Social Security disability. SSI places limits on assets ($2000 for an individual) and income. SSDI does not have an asset limit but requires the recipient not be able to engage in “substantial gainful activity,” which generally acts as an income limit. There is a “Ticket to Work” program called “Choose Work” available that provides some options similar to those in the earlier “Ticket to Work” program mentioned in this episode.

YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD.

Key points discussed:

**Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):** The conversation explores the ADA, a crucial piece of legislation that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and mandates reasonable accommodations.

**Disability Benefits:** The episode delves into disability benefits, including the process of applying, appealing denied benefits, and addressing inaccuracies in medical records.

**Workplace and Education Accommodations:** Reasonable accommodations in both workplace and education settings are explored, shedding light on the challenges and advocacy involved.

**Disclosure to Employers and Universities:** Professor Tiffany Lee provides insights into the considerations and potential challenges of disclosing disabilities to employers and universities.

**Service Dogs:** The episode discusses obtaining a service dog and the associated considerations.

**Dealing with Disability Lawyers:** Challenges related to unresponsive disability lawyers are addressed, offering guidance on how to navigate such situations.

**Financial Impact of Disability:** The limitations and financial impact of applying for disability, including asset limits and restrictions on work and income, are discussed.

**Flaws in the Disability System:** Issues within the disability system, such as the poverty threshold and its impact on marriage, are highlighted.

**Emergency Response Accessibility:** Making disaster and emergency response accessible to people with disabilities is discussed.

Overall, the episode provides an exploration of the legal, practical, and personal aspects of disability rights and accommodations, offering valuable insights and guidance for individuals with disabilities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:14 Americans with Disabilities Act

03:28 Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace

04:38 Determining Reasonable Accommodations

09:07 Accommodations in High School and College

11:22 Challenges with Disability Services in Education

13:59 Advocating for Accommodations in Education

16:36 Disclosing Disabilities to Employers and Universities

19:03 Determining Job Compatibility with Accommodations

21:03 Getting a Service Dog

23:37 Regulations and Considerations for Service Dog Training

36:33 Dealing with Unresponsive Disability Lawyers

38:07 Appealing Denied Disability Benefits

40:03 Legal Recourse for Undertreatment of Pain

43:07 Accommodations for Productivity Standards

43:45 Correcting Inaccuracies in Medical Records

47:46 Knowing When to Get an Accommodation or Apply for Disability

48:36 Considerations for Applying for Disability

50:23 Assets and Poverty Threshold for Disability

58:58 Making Disaster and Emergency Response Accessible

01:02:44 Hypermobility Hack: Walking Desk

Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/.

Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them.

Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.

YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! 🧬🔬🦓

Resources:

For disability rights in general: https://www.ada.gov and https://adata.org/

For service dogs: https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/ and https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/

For disability rights in employment: https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/disability/ada and https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/your-employment-rights-individual-disability

https://choosework.ssa.gov/

#BendyBodiesPodcast #HealthAdvocacy #DisabilityRights #ADAInsights #AccommodationsTalk #LegalAdvocacy #ServiceDogJourney #DisabilityBenefits #WorkforceChallenges