People with different abilities are not only part of the most productive members of U.S. society, but they are also part of an amazingly large and diverse group of people. Studies estimate that more than 42 million people in the U.S. alone have what is considered a disability, which makes up about 13 percent of the country’s population. So, one might think that rights for disabled people would be more prominent and respected. That is, unfortunately, not the case. There is still a growing need to find and retain a disability attorney Charlotte NC-based.
What Qualifies As a Disability
In the U.S. and North Carolina, there are unilateral qualifications that determine whether someone qualifies as having a disability. The U.S. Social Security Administration uses a rubric that compares someone’s ability to retain employment versus how their condition affects that ability to establish this status. If someone cannot sit, walk, stand, or perform essential functions for at least one year, then they can be deemed disabled by government standards. However, these rules often miss the entirety of someone’s disability.
The truth is that not all disabilities are visible or fit neatly into a qualifying set of rules. Many people with disabilities do not easily fit within these determining factors, but their disability is still very present. Some conditions that qualify as a disability include:
- Respiratory disorders
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Issues that affect speech and senses
- Digestive disorders
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Immune system disorders
- Cancer
- Mental conditions and illnesses
There are many more beyond what is listed. A disability is anything that prevents someone from engaging and participating in traditional systems expectedly. Of course, traditional and expected are subjective terms that are narrow and not inclusive. People with disabilities are capable and talented in many ways. However, society does not always create spaces for them to be included and participate in a meaningful way. This is part of why a disability attorney is sometimes necessary.
How a Disability Attorney Can Help
Disability attorneys represent differently-abled clients to amplify their legal voice and position that has been denied or ignored due to their disability. In many of these cases, people with disabilities are prevented from accessing something they have a right to have just because of who they are.
People with a disability seek out attorneys to help for many reasons. Some of those reasons include:
- Denial of benefits
- Denial of jobs
- Denial of resources
- Unfair treatment of any type related to their disability
Many more situations could necessitate a person’s need to obtain legal representation to defend or represent their rights when they have a disability. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was established to protect people with disabilities, biased decisions and treatment are aimed at differently-abled people every day. In theory, everyone has a voice that deserves to be heard. For people with disabilities, it is often difficult for their voices to be regarded and respected. That is when a disability attorney can become very helpful.
