Social Security Advisory Board

Discussion Forum on the Definition of Disability

April 14, 2004

 

Agenda and Papers

 

October 2003 SSAB Report—The Social Security Definition of Disability:

Is It Consistent with a National Goal of Supporting Maximum Self Sufficiency?

 

 9:00 a.m.        Welcome         Hal Daub, Chair; Dorcas Hardy, Board Member

 9:15 a.m.        Introductions  Gerben DeJong, University of Florida

                                                            Richard Burkhauser, Cornell University 

Panel I

Moderator – Gerben DeJong 

Is the current Social Security disability program consistent with a 21st century national vision of disability policy—integrating benefits, services, civil rights and employment for people with disabilities? 

9:30 a.m.         Presentation 1            The current Social Security disability program and definitions impede the development and operation of a consistent national disability policy

                                                            David Stapleton, Cornell University

                                                            Paper (.pdf file) – Presentation (.ppt file) 

Presentation 2            The current disability program framework can be maintained (with modest changes) and remain consistent with an integrated national disability policy

Virginia Reno, National Academy of Social Insurance

                                                            Paper (.pdf file) – Presentation (.ppt file) 

10:30 a.m.                                           Keynote Address

Transforming SSA's Disability Programs for 21st Century America

David Walker, Comptroller General of the

  United States

Presentation (.ppt file)  (Note: this is a large file – 1.8 mb)

11:00 a.m.       Presentation 3            Definitions from disability programs in other countries

Marilyn Howard, Social Policy Analyst

Paper (.pdf file) – Presentation (.ppt file) 

11:30 a.m.       Lunch/Discussion 

12:00 p.m.       Discussants                Robert Anfield, UnumProvident Corporation

                                                            Bobby Silverstein, National Center on

  Workforce & Disability

   Silverstein Talking Points (.pdf file)

                                                            Peter Blanck, University of Iowa

                                                            Tony Young, NISH 

12:30 p.m.       Group Discussion
Panel II

Moderator - Richard Burkhauser 

Visions of reform: What are the necessary features of a consistent national disability benefits/supports system? 

1:30 p.m.         Presentation 1            Early intervention, multiple definitions, variable benefits/services, and a functional approach to benefits eligibility

                                    Monroe Berkowitz, Rutgers University/Disability Research Institute

                                    Paper (.pdf file)           

Presentation 2            A national vision for disability policy with emphasis on integrating benefits, incentives to work and removal of barriers to work

Bruce Growick, Ohio State University/Disability Research Institute

Paper (.pdf file) – Presentation (.ppt file) 

2:30 p.m.         Discussants                Eugene Steuerle, Urban Institute

                                                                        Steuerle comments (.ppt file)

                                    Michael O’Brien, Washington Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation

                                                O’Brien comments (.pdf file)

                                                            William Kiernan, Institute for Community Inclusion

                                                            Mark Dakos, BTE Technologies, Inc.

                                                                         Dakos paper (.pdf file)

 3:00 p.m.       Group Discussion 

4:00 p.m.         Moderators’ Wrap-up and Closing Discussion 

4:30 p.m.         Adjourn