What if just existing cost you 30% more?

Living with a disability shouldn’t come with a financial penalty—but in the U.S and around the world, it does. Everyday expenses—like prescription drugs, transportation, home modifications, assistive technology, and caregiving—add up to an invisible tax on millions of people, making it harder to work, attend school, and afford basic needs.

I’m Dr. Zach Morris, a professor at Stony Brook University, where I research the extra costs of disability. My work estimates that it takes nearly 30% more per year for a person with a disability to maintain their standard of living in the U.S. But while this financial squeeze shapes daily life for millions, it’s rarely discussed in economic or policy debates.

In The Disability Squeeze, we expose these hidden costs through real-life stories and data-driven insights, exploring how systemic barriers—like unaffordable prescription drugs, outdated benefits rules, inaccessible workplaces, and gaps in healthcare—make life more expensive, and what can be done to fix it.

We want to hear from you. If you or someone you know has faced the financial strain of living with a disability, ⁠fill out the form linked here⁠. Your experiences help highlight the true cost of disability and push for meaningful change.