Most people are familiar with certain kinds of attorneys because of exposure to them through media. You have all kinds on TV and social media ads. You may have watched CSI or Law & Order and have become familiar with trial lawyers handling criminal cases. You most definitely have seen ads for personal injury attorneys on TV. But what about some of the more obscure kind you never hear about? What about disability attorneys?
As you may have assumed, a disability attorney handles cases involving disability claims in relation to SSDI (Social Security Disability). They handle just about every aspect, from collecting medical records to filing the actual application. They also follow up on each case on a regular basis to find out what the status of your application is.
A Disability lawyer in Melbourne, Florida named Maria had this to say “We strive to build a relationship with the client first and foremost. That’s step one. Getting to know the individual and their situation helps us win the case for them. That’s what it’s all about.”.
In the United States, disability cases and the enforcement of disability law highlight both progress and ongoing challenges under frameworks like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted in 1990 to prohibit discrimination and ensure equal access. According to recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment-population ratio for people with disabilities reached a record high of 22.7 percent in 2024, up slightly from 22.5 percent the previous year, with labor force participation hitting 24.5 percent—showing gradual improvements in workplace inclusion but still lagging far behind non-disabled individuals. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported a surge in disability discrimination charges, totaling part of over 88,000 workplace discrimination filings in 2024, reflecting persistent issues with reasonable accommodations and hiring practices. Meanwhile, ADA-related lawsuits, often centered on accessibility in public and digital spaces, are projected to average around 8,500 cases in 2024, underscoring the financial and compliance burdens on businesses, particularly in e-commerce where websites average over 83 accessibility issues.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cases reveal additional strains, with a backlog of over 331,000 appeals as of September 2024 and an average processing time of 231 days, delaying benefits for many applicants amid rising applications driven by economic pressures and health crises. The average monthly SSDI benefit for disabled workers stood at $1,581 as of February 2025, providing critical support but often insufficient, given that 24.9 percent of disabled individuals lived in poverty in 2022—more than double the rate for non-disabled people. These statistics emphasize the need for stronger enforcement of disability laws to address barriers in employment, housing, and healthcare, while the collective purchasing power of disabled Americans, exceeding $490 billion, highlights their economic potential when inclusion is prioritized.
Disability is something which affects millions of Americans. Their only lifeline is the Social Security system. This is not a charity outfit. This coverage is paid for by the individual over the course of their working life. We are all entitled to help should we become disabled. This is why they are called “entitlements”.