Educate Employees about Disability Income Protection
Topic: Disability Employment
Author: Council for Disability Awareness
Published: 2009/10/02 - Updated: 2013/06/14
Contents: Summary - Introduction - Main Item - Related Topics
Synopsis: Critical employers consider to help employees understand threat of disability.
Introduction
The Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) is alerting all employers that disabling illnesses have become one of the fastest growing threats to employees' income. In fact, they now account for 55 percent of workplace absences.Main Item
Employers Urged to Educate Employees about Disability Income Protection This Enrollment Season
CDA Offers Tools You Can Use to Keep Workers Physically and Financially Healthy
The Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) is alerting all employers that disabling illnesses have become one of the fastest growing threats to employees' income. In fact, they now account for 55 percent of workplace absences.
The CDA's recently published 2008 Long-Term Disability Claims Review revealed that income-limiting disability claims have risen by 35 percent in the last decade. This same study found that 95 percent of reported disability claims are due to non-work related illnesses, such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes and back impairments.
Based on the rising frequency of disability, the CDA is urging employers to increase their efforts to educate employees about the risk to their incomes - and encourage them to take steps to avoid this risk if possible and prepare financially if unavoidable.
"This benefits enrollment season it's critical that employers consider how to help their employees understand the very real threat of disability," said Barry Lundquist, interim president of the CDA. "Employees often mistakenly believe that disability is only caused by devastating physical injuries or accidents. But they're much more likely to be caused by illnesses - like cancer or heart disease. Benefits enrollment season presents a perfect opportunity for employers to educate their employees about the financial risks caused by disability."
To help employees better understand their own personal chances of becoming disabled by illness or injury, employers can direct employees to the Personal Disability Quotient (PDQ), a new online tool found at www.whatsmypdq.org. The tool provides personalized information about the chances of disability based on a person's age, lifestyle and history, and calculates the amount of income at risk.
The CDA also provides employers with easy-to-use tools to educate their employees through its online Employer Resource and Information Center (www.disabilitycanhappen.org/employer). The Web site includes information and resources that illustrate the financial impacts of disability, tips on prevention and information about wellness programs.
"Through planning and prevention, employees can minimize their chances of becoming disabled - or at least minimize the financial impact a disability can have on their income and lifestyle," said Lundquist. "For most employees, their income is by far their most valuable asset and their ability to earn that income cannot be taken for granted."
Additional resources available through CDA's Web site include personal financial security planning tools, sample employee newsletter disability articles, a common myths and misconceptions flyer, five questions every employee should ask about disability preparedness and links to a variety of other helpful articles and organizations.
Employers should visit www.disabilitycanhappen.org/employer to obtain educational tools and emails, or urge their employees to visit the PDQ link at www.WhatsmyPDQ.org this enrollment season.
Reference: The Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) is a non-profit group dedicated to helping the American workforce become aware of the growing likelihood of disability and its financial consequences. The CDA engages in communications, research and educational activities that provide information and helpful resources to wage earners, their families, employers and others who are concerned about disability and the impact it can have on wage earners and their families.
Explore Related Topics
1 - Barriers to Entry for Disabled Tech Professionals - Research into barriers and challenges disabled tech professionals face when obtaining certifications.
2 - Many Orthotists Want to Quit the Profession - Over a third of orthotists, specialists who improve quality of life for people with long-term conditions and disabilities would leave the profession if they could.
3 - European Space Agency Seeks Parastronaut Recruit - ESA looking to recruit first disabled parastronaut for possible space missions to the International Space Station (ISS), The Moon and Mars.
4 - 2020 Canadian Employer Summer Job Funding Applications - The Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program helps employers create quality summer job opportunities and provide valuable work experience for youth aged 15 to 30.
5 - Lime Connect Partners on Ground-breaking Corporate Disability Study - A report titled Disabilities and Inclusion has uncovered that employees with disabilities make up an enormous talent pool that employers overlook far too often.
Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer
Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.
Cite This Page (APA): Council for Disability Awareness. (2009, October 2 - Last revised: 2013, June 14). Educate Employees about Disability Income Protection. Disabled World. Retrieved October 7, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/employment/disability-income-protection.php
Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/employment/disability-income-protection.php">Educate Employees about Disability Income Protection</a>: Critical employers consider to help employees understand threat of disability.
Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.