NATIONAL DISABILITY INSTITUTE JOINS DISABILITY ORGANIZATIONS ON CAPITOL HILL TO BRIEF CONGRESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ABLE ACT
ABLE Act will help the 1 in 3 individuals with disabilities living in poverty and their families take important steps toward economic self-sufficiency and independence
(Washington, D.C. – Feb. 16, 2012) – National Disability Institute joined Congressional leaders and other national disability organizations on Capitol Hill today to advocate for the passage of the Achieve a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, legislation long championed by National Disability Institute as a key to providing a pathway to a better economic future for persons with disabilities and their families.
National Disability Institute as well as Autism Speaks, The ARC and the National Down Syndrome Society joined original bill sponsors Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Sen. Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA) on a panel of experts to outline the impact the ABLE Act’s tax-free savings accounts will have for millions of Americans with disabilities and their families. Also included on the panel were staff members from the Joint Economic Committee and the offices of Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).
The ABLE Act, re-introduced by Rep. Crenshaw and Sen. Casey in November 2011, is designed to encourage and assist individuals with disabilities and their families to set funds aside in a tax-advantaged savings account that allows the funds to be withdrawn to cover costs of health care, housing, transportation, the purchase of technology and lifelong education. The funds will supplement but not replace benefits provided through Medicaid, Social Security and private insurance, allowing families with sons or daughters with significant disabilities a means to provide for extra costs associated with every day activities and community participation.
“This legislation is the most critical since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to promote the independence and productivity of individuals with disabilities and their families.” said Michael Morris, National Disability Institute’s Executive Director.
As the first national disability organization committed exclusively to championing economic empowerment, National Disability Institute supports the passage of the ABLE Act and continues to promote public policy changes that encourage work, saving and asset development for people with disabilities that reduce dependence on public benefits. The ABLE Act was introduced originally in 2009 the 111th Congress and had more than 200 cosponsors in the House and 20 in the Senate. Time ran out before Congress moved the legislation forward.
National Disability Institute will continue to join with organizations and individuals in the disability community to educate Congress about the importance of this vital public policy change.
About National Disability Institute
National Disability Institute (NDI) is national non-profit organization dedicated to building a better economic future for people with disabilities. The first national organization committed exclusively to championing economic empowerment, financial education, asset development and financial stability for all persons with disabilities, National Disability Institute effects change through public education, policy development, training, technical assistance and innovative initiatives such as the Real Economic Impact (REI) Tour, which brings tax and financial education for people with disabilities to more than 100 cities nationwide. Since 2005, the REI Tour has helped more than 1 million people with disabilities receive more than $1 billion in tax refunds. To learn more, visit www.realeconomicimpact.org.
Contact:
Lisa Karp
National Disability Institute
(202) 695-2180
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