Disability Issues

The book is titled “Financial Aid for the Disabled and Their Families 2006 - 2008″ Edition by Gail Ann Schlacther and R. David Weber.

The following is an excerpt from the book.

Why This Directory Is Needed

With a total population of 49 million, the disabled constitute America’s largest “minority” group. Each year, billions of dollars in financial aid are set aside to assist persons with disabilities and members of their families. But, how can these individuals find out about the available funding?

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What I found in the book is that most of financial aid is in the form of higher education. Most of the home ownership financial aid is directed to disabled veterans. I am interested in grants towards home ownership, but I was unable to find any home ownership financial aid in the book. The Texas Home of Your Own doesn’t offers home ownership assistance for disabled persons in my city. I checked into HUD’s Section 8 Homeownership Assistance in my area, but it isn’t offered. There is HUD’s Section 8 Rental Assistance, but there is a waiting list to qualify which takes 3 years. There doesn’t seem to be set aside slots for disabled persons in either HUD program.

I think there should be a percentage set aside for persons with disabilities with HUD’s Section 8 Rental Assistance and Homeownership Asistance programs.

The disabled constitute America’s largest “minority” group, and they  are likely the most politically under represented “minority” group.

I think what would be beneficial is access to wealthy philanthropists to plead one’s financial disability needs, but it is like finding a needle in a haystack.

According to the Census 2000, U.S. Census Bureau, 49.7 million people in our country have a disability. That’s nearly one out of five people. One in three Americans living with disabilities also lives below or at the poverty level. 9 million people with disabilities and their dependents collect Social Security benefits.