HELENA, Mont. -- Rural people living with disabilities could feel the biggest impact from changes to the Social Security disability program.
The Trump administration wants to review the disability benefits for about 1 million people more often, according to the Social Security Administration. This could mean every two years instead of every three years.
Catherine Ipsen, associate director of the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities at the University of Montana, says anyone who wants to appeal if benefits are terminated has to visit a Social Security office. In the case of a northeastern Montana community such as Scobey, for instance, that means driving 350 miles to Billings.
"Just traveling to the office -- that's 10 hours round trip of gas, that's one night of lodging, that's finding someone to potentially drive you," Ipsen points out. "There's a lot of hardship in that regard."
Montana has seven Social Security offices, with Billings the easternmost location. Ipsen adds that benefits cases can eventually go before disability administrative judges, who are only in Billings.
The Trump administration says the additional reviews will allow officials to manage the program more efficiently.
According to the Rural Institute, nearly twice as many rural Americans live in counties without a Social Security office as those who do.
Ipsen also notes the rural economy is harder on folks than the urban economy, in general. She says fewer rural residents with disabilities have jobs than did before the Great Recession in 2008, and there can be other challenges to employment.
"For instance, if you have a pretty significant physical disability and the jobs are manufacturing or extraction or those kinds of things, that really narrows your opportunities of what you can do and how you can accommodate, or overcome a loss of that income," she states.
Ipsen says one in four people with disabilities lives in poverty. Currently, nearly 8.4 million people nationwide receive Social Security disability benefits.
The Trump administration wants to conduct an additional 2.6 million reviews over the next decade.
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Teens and young adults in Texas who have disabilities have an opportunity to get a paid internship this summer.
The Texas Workforce Commission offers its Summer Earn and Learn program for students between the ages of 14 and 22. The students are placed with large and small businesses to earn a paycheck and learn valuable work experience.
Joe Esparza, the commissioner representing employers, said all 28 workforce development boards across the state participate in recruiting students and employers
"The employers are obviously benefiting because they're investing in their communities, and they get somebody who's motivated to work," Esparza explained. "I think having that opportunity gives these students a chance to interact with customers, to learn IT systems, to just engage in something that they are very interested in."
He said more than 14,000 students have been placed in internships since the program started in 2017.
More than 1,300 employers across Texas participated in the program last year, giving students hands-on experience. Some of the businesses include the Amarillo Zoo, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Odessa College. Esparza noted the internships last five to eight weeks and student participants attend work readiness training to prepare them for their work experiences.
"We at the state level always encourage employers to get involved and create programs," Esparza emphasized. "In most every business, there's usually an opportunity to bring somebody in as an internship and it's a great opportunity for them to learn new skills and become part of the workforce there."
Some of the students have been hired full-time by the companies at the end of their internships.
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About a third of U.S. parents with children younger than 18 say they worry their children might be bullied at some point and it became a reality for one Nevada parent.
Christina McDarment said her 12-year-old daughter, who has a disability and was in the public school system, began to get bullied at the age of 10. She is now 12 and being homeschooled. McDarment explained her daughter experienced name-calling and others making fun of her appearance, which eventually led to things getting physical.
Zero-tolerance bullying policies have been implemented around the nation to stop such behavior. And while McDarment noted she supports the idea the mandates propose, which consist of a punitive approach to bullying, when put into practice she argued it can lead to a counterproductive response.
"I think the school just doesn't do enough to make sure this stuff stops," McDarment asserted. "What is it going to take? Someone really seriously getting hurt and ending up in the hospital or something?"
McDarment emphasized she was disappointed by the lack of willingness by her daughter's school to address the bullying, resulting in the girl not wanting to go back. Opponents to zero-tolerance policies said they are unjust, harmful and stigmatizing, especially for students with special needs. But proponents countered by saying they are needed to keep a school environment conducive to learning by removing disruptive students.
McDarment acknowledged her daughter's former public school now wants her to return but said she is unsure if it is the best decision for her daughter. She added it is not because her daughter did not like school, she just could not withstand the constant bullying. Today, her daughter is excelling in a homeschool environment.
"She is a lot happier," McDarment observed. "She went from all 'F's to all 'A's and 'B's."
McDarment encouraged parents to be observant and notice changes in their children's behavior or appearance. She added if they say they're being bullied, believe them. If you or someone you know is being bullied, you can text 'CONNECT' to 741741 for free, confidential 24/7 mental health support.
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Several hundred hikers are expected to climb to a summit of over 14,000 feet for this year's Pikes Peak Challenge in Colorado Springs, an annual event that supports people whose lives have been impacted by brain injury.
Zach Hudson, development director with the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado, said participants can choose a summit that fits their skill level. Some will hike up halfway to Barr Camp, and others will walk several miles around Manitou Springs.
"All of the money raised goes toward supporting Coloradans and their loved ones, families, friends and professionals who are living with brain injury and have been affected by brain injury in some way," Hudson said.
The challenge started nearly 40 years ago as a "Walk Through the Clouds" when six hikers made it to the summit of Pikes Peak. Hudson said many brain injury survivors and their families participate to defy the odds and accomplish something they've been told they'd never do.
The all-ages event is set for Saturday, Sept. 7, and registration is now open at 'pikespeakchallenge.com.'
There are over 500,000 Coloradans living with a brain injury, and Hudson explained the challenge helps people across the state access free services. The Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado offers art classes, music therapy, resource navigation and support groups. It also organizes adaptive skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking, fishing and other activities in the summer.
"Our mission is to make sure that all people with a brain injury are able to thrive in their communities and get connected to the resources that they need," he continued.
The alliance has also started offering permanent supportive housing in Denver to address the link between brain injury and homelessness. Hudson said the Pikes Peak Challenge is the organization's largest annual fundraiser.
"And then afterwards, the party in the park is a great way to come together with the community, meet other people, mingle with participants, have a nice meal, enjoy some music and a nice beautiful day in the park," he explained.
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