Handicapped vs. Disabled

Some may use these terms interchangeably. Handicapped vs. Disabled. Is there a difference? Is one politically correct?

Here's what Villanova University has to say about this matter:

A disability is a condition caused by an accident, trauma, genetics or disease which may limit a person’s mobility, hearing, vision, speech or mental function. Some people have more than one disability.

A handicap is physical or attitudinal constraint that is imposed upon a person, regardless of whether that person has a disability. A set a stairs would be a handicap for a person with a disability who uses a wheelchair.

Things you need to know about disability insurance

This is a guest article by Donald Brown D.O.

Things you need to know about disability insurance

Your need for disability insurance is greater than your need for life insurance. Most people have no problem purchasing life insurance yet they hesitate to purchase disability insurance. Physicians like anyone else are not invincible. 43% of all people age 40 will experience a long-term disability event before age 65 (JHA Disability Fact Book, 2006)

Without a disability plan in place, will you be able to maintain your standard of living if you are not working? Can your family survive on one income when most families struggle with two people employed? How long before your savings are decimated?

Student loans are a concern for physicians who are just starting out. These loans are not discharged in the event of bankruptcy. Paying them off or expiring are two ways to eliminate them. You are responsible for them even if you are disabled. SallieMae.com states on their web site that loans may be "discharged" if you are disabled. They continue to state that even if you qualify for social security disability (extremely difficult to qualify for) you may not qualify for "discharge", and it will take a minimum of three years due to Federal Regulations, during which time you are still responsible for the debt.

100 Days to the ADA

Countdown to the 20th Anniversary of the ADA: Day 98 - Preparing the Workplace for Everyone: Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities in the Workplace

On April 19, 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was the site of domestic terrorism when it was bombed by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. Out of this senseless tragedy came legislation addressing the protection of federal buildings and workplaces. As we remember the events of that sad day, let us take the opportunity to ensure that in an emergency everyone - including individuals with disabilities - knows what to do and has been considered in the plan to get all occupants to safety.

Preparing the Workforce for Everyone
(http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/ep/preparing2.htm) provides guidelines that individuals, employers and emergency managers can use to create inclusive emergency preparedness plans for their workplace. Developed by an interagency council of federal agencies, the guide includes some of the best methods being used in the federal government to ensure that the needs of all individuals are considered during an emergency.

Society of Disabled Physicians

Learn about the Society of Disabled Physicians here:
http://www.DisabledPhysicians.org

International Conference on Physician Health

International Conference on Physician Health
Physician Health and Resiliency in the 21st Century
3-5 October 2010
Swissotel, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Hosted by the American Medical Association (AMA) in conjunction with the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

Visit www.ama-assn.org/go/physicianhealth for more information.

American Society of Handicapped Physicians

We are looking for active members of the American Society of Handicapped Physicians (ASHP) to learn more about us. The ASHP does not currently have a website and we have not had any success contacting anyone at this organization. If anyone is an active member or has received information from the ASHP recently, please contact us.

It is our hope to collaborate with the American Society of Handicapped Physicians and to provide disabled physicians with valuable resources and tools.

ePhysicianHealth

ePhysicianHealth is an online health and wellness resource designed to help physicians and medical students "be resilient in their personal and professional lives."

http://ephysicianhealth.com/

Association of Medical Professionals With Hearing Losses

The Association of Medical Professionals With Hearing Losses provides information, promotes advocacy and mentorship, and creates a network for individuals with hearing loss interested in or working in health care fields.

To learn more, visit: http://www.amphl.org

Job Bias Claims Based on Disability, Religion Rise

ABC News reports that job bias claims near record high; complaints based on disability, religion, national origin up. That report indicates the following:

Charges of discrimination based on national origin rose by about 5 percent to 11,134 claims, while religious discrimination claims rose less than 1 percent, to 3,386 claims.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=9490631

Welcome to the Society of Disabled Healthcare Professionals

The Society of Disabled Healthcare Professionals is a group of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses who have been injured or who have other forms of disability. The society provides resources and support for disabled healthcare professionals.

To join the society, click here.