Beyond Love, Relationships and Disability

Man and woman with down syndrome kissing

People with disabilities have been fighting for their rights for decades. While many areas of community life have improved, people with disabilities often have trouble successfully navigating loving long-term intimate relationships. This 3-part vodcast (video) and podcast (audio) series review the common struggles including, but not limited to the “marriage penalty”, considerations for service delivery, and planning for the future.

Watch the Vodcast

Episode 1: Finding Love – evaluates guardianship considerations, safe ways to meet people, impact on benefits such as SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Home and Community-Based Services, and the “marriage penalty.”

  • 2:03 – Dating Safety
  • 4:42 – Dating Logistics
  • 6:50 – Marriage Impact on Benefits & the Marriage Penalty
  • 9:50 – Marriage impact on HCBS Waivers & Services
    • Episode 2: Strategies to make it work –  reviews civil union, domestic partnerships, and common law “traps”, becoming a paid caregiver, and adjusting benefits and bank accounts.

  • 1:50 – Common-Law Marriage
  • 3:43 – Civil Unions & Domestic Partnerships
  • 5:32 – Paid Caregiving as a Spouse
  • 8:18 – Wedding Gifts
  • 10:44 – Additional Benefits to Consider
  • 11:38 – HUD = The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (Rental assistance, housing benefits, etc.)
  • 12:20 – Finances in a Marriage
  • 14:10 – Solving Problems in Marriage

Episode 3: Planning for the future, with special guest Von Limbaugh from the Limbaugh Law Firm – navigate Advanced Directives, having children, and Estate Planning.

  • 1:35 – Who to talk to when navigating marriage services, benefits, and more
  • 3:06 – Entering into a Marriage, Legally
  • 5:13 – Facing Questions of Capacity to Marry
  • 5:20 – Advance directives: medical directions a person gives in case they become incapacitated. Also known as a “living will”.
  • 7:15 – Having Children & Parental Rights
  • 10:55 – Estate Planning
  • 13:38 – Final thoughts from Von Limbaugh

Listen to the Podcast

Podcasts are also available Spreaker, Itunes, iHeartRadio, or Spotify

Listen to “TRAININGS: E41: Finding Love” on Spreaker.

Listen to “TRAININGS: E43: Planning for the future” on Spreaker.

Made possible through support from Developmental Pathways, Limbaugh Law Firm, Arc Thrift Stores, and The Arc of Aurora