A great article in Disability Scoopwritten by Borys Krawczeniuk about a self-advocate who got invited to the State of Union. Sara Wolf helped get the ABLE Act passed. She testified for the bill in front of the Senate. What a neat honor!

Self-Advocate Gets State Of The Union Invite

ByBorys Krawczeniuk

Sara Wolff fought hard to help others like her, so U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., offered her a special thanks.

He invited Wolff to sit in the U.S. House gallery next Tuesday to watch President Barack Obama deliver the State of the Union speech. Wolff helped Casey get a bill passed that helps those with disabilities.

I was very surprised and excited at the same time, Wolff, 31, of Moscow, Pa. said Monday. This is my first time. Im very excited. A little bit nervous, but very excited.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, ABLE Act for short, allows people with disabilities to save money in untaxed accounts similar to tax-advantaged accounts used by families who save for college. The act also allows Americans with disabilities to save money for education, housing, transportation and health care without losing eligibility for government programs.

The bill passed theHouseon Dec. 3 by a vote of 404-17. In the Senate, the provision was part of a larger tax bill thatpassed76 to 16.

Obamasignedthe bill into law Dec. 19.

I call it history in the making, Wolff, who has Down syndrome, said. Its very important for people with disabilities, Down syndrome, autism, etc. Now, they can save money for their future.

Casey said he wanted to honor Wolff because of her advocacy. She kept him focused on getting the bill passed with a catchphrase, Stay pumped, he said. Wolff testified for the bill at a Senate hearing in July.

If she wasnt the leading, she was one of the leading voices in the country for passage of the ABLE Act, he said. I wanted to acknowledge her contribution, which was substantial. She was a personal witness, which was very compelling.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/01/13/self-advocate-state-union/19961/

A great blog on Disability.gov written by Katherine Schneider about the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It's interesting that the ADA has only improved access for 19% of Americans with disabilities. She highlights 25 kinds of access the ADA covers. It's neat to think about all the different things the ADA covers. How will you celebrate the anniversary?

Celebrating 25 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act: What Will You Do?

By Katherine Schneider

This July, the 25thanniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will occur. Access has improved for the 19 percent of us who have disabilities because of the ADA.1It is still a work in progress and involves much negotiating for access in many situations. But if we dont celebrate how far weve come, its easy to get discouraged. So what will you do?

So far, Ive started working on a display for my universitys library, nudged the local Aging and Disability Resource Center to have an open house and get the county board to pass a resolution, and started working on an art contest with the theme of What Does Access Mean to You?

The library display will highlight 25 kinds of access (for those who think only of ramps). They are:

1. Assistance animals more people know the laws and more kinds of assistance animals are allowed.
2. Old and new access symbols. (The new symbol shows motion.)
3. TheEyeNote app, which helps people who are blind tell the denominations of U.S. paper currency apart.
4. TheSchneider Family Book Awardsfor childrens books with disability content are receiving more entries every year, showing mainstream interest in disability as diversity.
5. Checkers or other accessible board games are more widely available.
6. Ramps are more common, although not universal like to pulpits, in churches.
7. Signsabout hearing loops are starting to appear.
8. Interpreters and captioners are at work in more places like medical appointments, school graduations, etc.
9. Playground equipment usable by kids with mobility impairments is more common.
10. Large print programs at worship services and public events are more common.
11. Print/braille books are sometimes available at public libraries for blind parents and sighted kids or vice versa to read together.
12. Buses and some taxis have access for wheelchair users.
13. Voting machines with audio capabilities, so people who are blind can vote independently.
14. Local sources of gizmos from Independent Living and Aging and Disability Resource Centers, so people who are newly disabled can try before they buy.
15. Powered carts to ride at grocery stores.
16. Hearing assistance devices provided in movie theaters.
17. Captioning devices provided in movie theaters.
18. Occasional audio descriptions provided in theaters and on television.
19. Captioned and/or audio described movies available at libraries.
20. Audio and touch tours of museums are more common.
21. Electronic access to websites, newspapers, email, etc. for people who are blind.
22. Occasional Braille menus, bank statements, greeting cards, etc.
23. Para-transit.
24. Reasonable accommodations, so jobs are accessible.
25. Electric doors are more common.

You, who advocate for access for yourself, family and friends, and the rest of the 19 percent of us who need it will make the next 25 years of implementation of the ADA even better. So lets celebrate how far weve come!

To get involved in celebrating the 25thanniversary of the ADA,contact your local independent living center, disability rights group or see whats going on atThe ADA Legacy Project.

Source: https://usodep.blogs.govdelivery.com/2015/01/09/celebrating-25-years-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-what-will-you-do/

Self-Determination Network News

January 2015

Connect|Share|Learn|http://sdnetworkwi.org/

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! We want to encourage you to take full advantage of this network in 2015. There are several ways to get involved on this network. Its a great time to take a few minutes to explore what the Self-Determination Network has to offer. Networking is a key to success!

It Only Takes "Five"

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:

• Watch: LaNae posted a great video about self-advocacy. This is an awesome video to share with others!

• Powerful Message: Watch another great video LaNae posted that has a very powerful message.

• Interesting Findings: Read about how a study finds that over half of Medicaid providers were unavailable to people on Medicaid.

• Stay up to Date: Here are the Wisconsin Survival Coalitions budget and policy recommendations for people with disabilities for 2015.

• Stay Informed: Stay up to date on the new HCBS settings rule. Two webinars have been released to help people understand the changes. One is a brief summary of the rule and the other one goes in depth about it means.

• ADA Legacy Bus Tour: Here is a great chance to get involved in the legacy of the ADA. Theyre looking for co-pilots to help in this mission. Find out how you can help today!

• Transportation Grants: Find out which Wisconsin county recently got grants from the Department of Transportation that will improve transportation for the elderly and people with disabilities.

• National Park Accessibility: Read about a neat project a team at the University of Hawaii is doing to try to provide unique experiences to people with visual impairments at national parks.

• Be Inspired: This is an inspiring story about a man with a disability who is using his education to design equipment to help people with disabilities partake in recreational activities.

• Disability Champion Leaving: Read about how the senator who shaped the American with Disabilities Act is stepping down after 40 years.

• Learn: Here is a great explanation of the ABLE Act which was recently signed into law.

• Determined Athlete: An excellent story about a high school senior who uses self-determination to overcome her disability.

• Nominations for Chairmans Accessibility Awards: Find out how to nominate products, services, technologies, and practices that advance the accessibility of communications or video programming for people with disabilities for the Chairman's Awards for Advancement in Accessibility. Nominations due March 5^th.

• Read: This New Years message from the National Council on Disability highlights the history of the ADA. Its interesting to see how far weve come, but, at the same time, how much work still needs to be done.

• Post news or start a discussion: It's easy to do and a great way to share information and network with others!

New Members

Stop by to welcomeournewest members

• Shes ateacherwho wants to collect information that might be helpful to pass along to others.

• This person is aparentwho wants to help her son reconnect with friends.

• Shes aparent and an IRIS consultantwho sees the benefits of living a self-determined life.

• Sheworks for Milwaukee Center for Independenceand wants information about self-directed supports.

Do you know someone who should join the Self-Determination Network? Spread the word andinvitefriends, families and other interested folks!

Upcoming Events

Here's a sample ofupcoming eventslisted on the Self-Determination Network:

• Facilitation and Person Centered Planning with PATH and MAPS: February 2^ndto 4^th, Friends Meeting House, Toronto, ON

• Advocacy for Change: A Family Leadership Institute: March 4^th, 8:30a.m. to 5p.m., Concourse Hotel, Madison WI

• The Survival Coalition Disability Advocacy Day: March 17^th, Monona Terrace and Convention Center, Madison WI

Post your eventon the Self-Determination Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions? ContactStacy Ellingen.

We are in the process of reevaluating and possibly revamping how Coffee Breaks are done. Were hoping to start them up again soon. If you have thoughts or ideas regarding Coffee Breaks, please contactStacy Ellingen. We certainly welcome any input.

The Self-Determination Network is powered by In Control Wisconsin and supported financially by ourmembersandSponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you! Find out how you can help support the Network.

An article inDisability Scoopby Michelle Diament about how President Obama signed the ABLE Act into law in late December. This will allow people with disabilities to open special accounts where we can save up to $100,000 without losing our benefits. This article explains that each state will need to come up with regulations.. The hope is that by the end of 2015 every state will have it setup.

Obama Signs ABLE Act

By Michelle Diament

With his signature, the president has paved the way for people with disabilities to open tax-free savings accounts where they can amass more than $2,000 without losing government benefits.

President Barack Obama signed the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act Friday before leaving Washington for the holidays.

The new law will allow people with disabilities to open special accounts where they can save up to $100,000 without risking eligibility for Social Security and other government programs. Whats more, individuals can keep their Medicaid coverage no matter how much money is accrued in an ABLE account.

Modeled after 529 college savings plans, interest earned on savings will be tax-free. Funds accrued in the accounts can be used to pay for education, health care, transportation, housing and other expenses.

To be eligible, individuals must have a condition that occurred before age 26 and each person may only open one ABLE account. Under current gift-tax limitations, as much as $14,000 could be deposited annually.

People with disabilities may be able to start opening ABLE accounts as soon as 2015. However, some hurdles remain. While the new law alters federal rules to allow for ABLE accounts, each state must now put regulations in place much as they have done for other types of 529 plans so that financial institutions can make the new offering available.

We cant mandate that a state will create a 529, but given the lobby that weve seen, I think by the end of next year, I think well see this in every state, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., one of the measures chief sponsors, said on a recent call with reporters.

The laws name was amended in recent weeks to honor Stephen Beck, Jr., a longtime proponent of the bill who died unexpectedly in early December.

Source:http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/12/22/obama-signs-able-act/19935/

This is the New Year's message from the National Council on Disability. It's interesting reading about the history of the ADA.. 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of it. It's amazing how far we've come, but, yet, there's certainly more work that needs to be done.

New Year's Message 2015

The beginning of a new year is a natural time to pause and ask, What will the future hold for people with disabilities? When marking the 25th anniversary of landmark legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as we will in 2015, this forward look is not only more likely, it is arguably more important. A new year provides a perfect opportunity to contemplate the future by looking back.

Since becoming law in 1990, the ADA has assisted millions of people with disabilities overcome and eliminate barriers in all areas of society, from schools and the workplace to housing and public transportation. The National Council on Disability (NCD) proposed what became the ADA as part of our mandate to find ways to empower individuals with disabilities with the resources and means to achieve economic self-sufficiency, live independently, and be included and integrated into all aspects of society. Today, our role has evolved to gather information about the implementation, effectiveness and influence of the ADA.

For a quarter of a century, the ADA has been a legislative foundation to create more inclusive communities where people with disabilities live, work, and play on their own terms. Not incidentally, while doing so the rest of society has learned more about what people with disabilities can achieve, if given a fair shake and equal access.

As one of the landmark civil rights laws of the 20th century, with the likes of retiring Senator Tom Harkin dubbing it the Emancipation Proclamation for people with disabilities, the ADA seeks nothing special. Put simply, it provides the legislative foundation to ensure that people with disabilities can go places and do things that many, if not most, non-disabled Americans take for granted. As the slogan emblazoned on the back of countless wheelchairs reminds society even today, to finally, boldly go where others have gone before.

That is no small feat.

Over the past 25 years, the ADA has provided opportunity and access for more approximately 57 million Americans with disabilities. Prior to passage of this landmark civil rights legislation, Americans with disabilities routinely faced discrimination, stigma and barriers of both imagination and architecture in their everyday lives. And while there is still more work to do, we can now assuredly say that across this great nation, Americans with disabilities now have more opportunities than ever before to participate more fully in the civic, social and economic heartbeat of our communities through the steady reduction of obstacles to employment, transportation, public services, telecommunications and in public accommodations.

When the ADA was passed in 1990, and not too long ago when the ADA amendments became law in January 2009, bipartisanship in Congress made such progress possible. Today, headlines are dominated more by a sense of frustration and political gridlock. While issues related to employment, transportation and education remain central in our work no one could have imagined the ways that technology would help level the playing field in just over two short decades, nor could we imagine the concerns wed be facing with Social Security, healthcare and Medicare reform or predict that parenting with a disability would be the next wave of civil rights efforts or that the threat of violence against people with disabilities would reach levels never before documented.

While much progress has been made there is clearly much more work to do.

As the ADA marches and rolls steadily toward its 3rd decade and on into adulthood, its 25th anniversary provides an opportunity to recommit to the next generation of disability rights leaders and advocates. May 2015 mark an era of renewed, vigorous support for the NextGen of individuals with disabilities who will, in the not too distant future, become the mentors and role models for the young people with disabilities who are currently benefiting from changes that the ADA, to a large degree, made possible.

Just as the disability community will continue work to make certain people with disabilities are included at the decision-making table on every level we must lead by example by ensuring that we include diverse representation from across our nation by making a deliberate effort to bridge racial, religious, sexual, and socio-economic lines. This means, over two decades since the ADA became law, that we must not only demand a place at the table, but also set it and make sure when we assemble the guest list that there are always seats for our allies while making sure that they hold seats for us.

Throughout 2015, NCD will spotlight lessons of the ADAs legacy on our website, listserv, on social media and related activities. Well share exciting glimpses of, and plans for, the future of disability policy and inclusion in the United States. We look forward to sharing these with you and to celebrating the ADAs legacy and moving forward toward a more inclusive future in 2015 and beyond.

Thank you for your support of NCD through 30 years of contribution, including all the Council members, staff, and other personnel of many administrations who have steadfastly supported the important work of the agency. The ADA was imagined and eventually realized through sustained effort by the disability community and its champions. NCD supports your leadership and vision in the evolutionary progress of fulfilling Americas potential and promises through the ADA.

------------

National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
202-272-2004 Voice
202-272-2074 TTY
202-272-2022 Fax

Website:
http://www.ncd.gov
Get regular updates via NCDs Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/NCDgov
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http://www.ncd.gov/subscribe

This is a great opportunity to nominate products, service, technologies, and practices that advance the accessibility of communications or video programming for people with disabilities for the Chairman's Awards for Advancement in Accessibility.

http://www.fcc.gov/document/advancement-accessibility-awards-nominations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FCC Accepting Nominations for Chairmans Accessibility Awards BeginningJanuary 5, 2015

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be accepting nominations for the 4thhttp://www.fcc.gov/chairman-awards-for-advancement-in-accessibility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chairman's Awards for Advancement in AccessibilityfromJanuary 5 - March 5, 2015. The awardsrecognize innovative products, services, technologies and practicesthat advance accessibility of communications or video programming technologies for people with disabilities. Nomination categories include wearable devices, real-time text and video description. Send nominations toChairmansAAA@fcc.govno later thanMarch 5, 2015. For information about last June's winners visithttp://www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-wheeler-honors-innovators-accessibility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">http://www.fcc.gov/document/chairman-wheeler-honors-innovators-accessibility.

A great article in theLa Crosse Tribune written by Nathan Hansen about a young lady who uses self-determination to overcome her challenges.

Extra Effort: Melrose-Mindoro senior finds way to excel despite disability

By Nathan Hansen

M

ELROSE When Jessica Windsor was growing up, she was teased for being different.

Born without her right hand, kids teased her about being different, and Jessica tried to hide the limb that made her stand out. But with a change in school, and the constant support and encouragement of her parents, Jessica isnt teased anymore.

Jessica, now 17, is the Melrose-Mindoro High School Extra Effort honoree. Nominated by teachers and staff at the school, they all remarked about how Jessica finds a way to tackle any challenge and reach for any opportunity she sets her sights on.

But growing up, Jessica was not always so comfortable in her skin. Originally attending school in the Sparta Area School District, Jessica was teased by her classmates in elementary and middle school. They would hide their arms in their shirts to mock her, and said negative things about her missing hand.

At first, Jessica said she didnt know what to do in response and tried to brush the bullying off. But as the teasing became more regular, she began to hide herself. Jessica would wear baggy clothing and cross her arms a lot. It hurt to be picked on.

It was hard when I was little, she said. The kids in class werent the nicest.

Jessicas parents Avery and Becky Windsor were there for her, though, encouraging and supporting her. Instead of hiding who she was, Avery said, they tried to make sure she was comfortable in being open and honest about herself.

She doesnt have to do anything different than anyone else, Avery said. We have always tried to motivate her in a positive way.

Learning how to do some things were difficult, Jessica said, such as tying her own shoes or putting back her hair. But with her parents support and an independent streak, Jessica has learned to do things on her own.

I feel more independent about everything, she said. I can do pretty much anything anyone else can do. I just have to do it in a different way.

Jessica said she is very involved in soccer, a sport she loves. She also enjoys going bow hunting with the help of a prosthetic that lets her fire by using the muscles in her cheek.

School is going better as well. Avery grew up in a smaller school environment and wanted that for his daughter, so the family open enrolled into the Melrose-Mindoro district.

At the new district, Jessica made a lot of friends. They dont make a big deal of things, and things are a lot better.

When I was little I would let it get to me, she said. I have definitely overcome hiding it and worrying.

Jessica hopes to go into radiography after high school, having applied and been accepted to Western Technical College. Growing up, Jessica had several tests to diagnose and treat a back issue and was interested in how the technology worked. It was cool figuring out how the machines could create and image on her screen and Jessica said she is interested in learning about everything from CT scans to ultrasounds.

Jessica said she is looking forward to going off to college. Because of her familys support and building her own self-confidence, she knows she can do anything she sets her mind on.

I have definitely been Type A with everything in my life, she said. Its helped to have that attitude. I really havent let anything get in my way.

Source: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/extra-effort-melrose-mindoro-senior-finds-way-to-excel-despite/article_45e9e584-c376-556f-acef-7921b793411d.html

Here is a great explanation of the ABLE Act from the National Disability Institute. This explains what the Act means for people with disabilities.

Congress Passes ABLE Act: Major Victory for Persons with Disabilities and Their Families

(Washington, D.C. Dec. 17, 2014) Last night, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 by a vote of 76 to 16. First introduced in 2006, and subsequent sessions of Congress, the ABLE Act will allow people with disabilities (with an age of onset up to 26 years old) and their families the opportunity to create a tax-exempt savings account that can be used for maintaining health, independence and quality of life.

Today marks a new day in our countrys understanding and support of people with disabilities and their families, Michael Morris,National Disability Institute(NDI) Executive Director, said. A major victory for the disability community, ABLE, for the very first time in our countrys policy on disability, recognizes that there are added costs to living with a disability. He continued. For far too long, federally imposed asset limits to remain eligible for critical public benefits have served as a roadblock toward greater financial independence for the millions of individuals living with a disability.

NDI has long championed the ABLE Act as a critical strategy to providing a pathway to a better economic future for all people with disabilities. As the nations first nonprofit dedicated to improving the financial health and future of all people with disabilities, the organization has extensively documented and called attention to the daily reality and extra expenses associated with living with a disability, and the challenges of navigating the complex web of government rules to maintain public benefits eligibility.

In recognition of this unprecedented legislation, NDI has created a list of 10 items about ABLE accounts that individuals with disabilities and their families should know:

ABLE Accounts: 10 Things You Must Know

1. What is an ABLE account?

ABLE Accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families, will be created as a result of the passage of the ABLE Act of 2014. Income earned by the accounts would not be taxed. Contributions to the account made by any person (the account beneficiary, family and friends) would not be tax deductible.

1. Why the need for ABLE accounts?

Millions of individuals with disabilities and their families depend on a wide variety of public benefits for income, health care and food and housing assistance. Eligibility for these public benefits (SSI, SNAP, Medicaid) require meeting a means or resource test that limits eligibility to individuals to report more than $2,000 in cash savings, retirement funds and other items of significant value. To remain eligible for these public benefits, an individual must remain poor. For the first time in public policy, the ABLE Act recognizes the extra and significant costs of living with a disability. These include costs, related to raising a child with significant disabilities or a working age adult with disabilities, for accessible housing and transportation, personal assistance services, assistive technology and health care not covered by insurance, Medicaid or Medicare.

For the first time, eligible individuals and families will be allowed to establish ABLE savings accounts that will not affect their eligibility for SSI, Medicaid and other public benefits. The legislation explains further that an ABLE account will, with private savings, secure funding for disability-related expenses on behalf of designated beneficiaries with disabilities that will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurance, Medicaid, SSI, the beneficiarys employment and other sources.

1. Am I eligible for an ABLE account?

Passage of legislation is a result of a series of compromises. The final version of the ABLE Act limits eligibility to individuals with significant disabilities with an age of onset of disability before turning 26 years of age. If you meet this criteria and are also receiving benefits already under SSI and/or SSDI, you are automatically eligible to establish an ABLE account. If you are not a recipient of SSI and/or SSDI, but still meet the age of onset disability requirement, you would still be eligible to open an ABLE account if you meet SSI criteria regarding significant functional limitations. The regulations to be written in 2015 by the Treasury Department will have to explain further the standard of proof and required medical documentation. You need not be under the age of 26 to be eligible for an ABLE account. You could be over the age of 26, but must have the documentation of disability that indicates age of onset before the age of 26.

1. Are there limits to how much money can be put in an ABLE account?

The total annual contributions by all participating individuals, including family and friends, is $14,000. The amount will be adjusted annually for inflation. Under current tax law, $14,000 is the maximum amount that individuals can make as a gift to someone else and not pay taxes (gift tax exclusion). The total limit over time that could be made to an ABLE account will be subject to the individual state and their limit for education-related 529 savings accounts. Many states have set this limit at more than $300,000 per plan. However, for individuals with disabilities who are recipients of SSI and Medicaid, the ABLE Act sets some further limitations. The first $100,000 in ABLE accounts would be exempted from the SSI $2,000 individual resource limit. If and when an ABLE account exceeds $100,000, the beneficiary would be suspended from eligibility for SSI benefits and no longer receive that monthly income. However, the beneficiary would continue to be eligible for Medicaid. States would be able to recoup some expenses through Medicaid upon the death of the beneficiary.

1. Which expenses are allowed by ABLE accounts?

A qualified disability expense means any expense related to the designated beneficiary as a result of living a life with disabilities. These include education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology, personal support services, health care expenses, financial management and administrative services and other expenses which will be further described in regulations to be developed in 2015 by the Treasury Department.

1. Where do I go to open an ABLE account?

Each state is responsible for establishing and operating an ABLE program. If a state should choose not to establish its own program, the state may choose to contract with another state to still offer its eligible individuals with significant disabilities the opportunity to open an ABLE account.

After President Obama signs the ABLE Act, the Secretary of the Department of Treasury will begin to develop regulations that will guide the states in terms of a) the information required to be presented to open an ABLE account; b) the documentation needed to meet the requirements of ABLE account eligibility for a person with a disability; and c) the definition details of qualified disability expenses and the documentation that will be needed for tax reporting.

No accounts can be established until the regulations are finalized following a public comment period on proposed rules for program implementation. States will begin to accept applications to establish ABLE accounts before the end of 2015.

1. Can I have more than one ABLE account?

No. The ABLE Act limits the opportunity to one ABLE account per eligible individual.

1. Will states offer options to invest the savings contributed to an ABLE account?

Like state 529 college savings plans, states are likely to offer qualified individuals and families multiple options to establish ABLE accounts with varied investment strategies. Each individual and family will need to project possible future needs and costs over time, and to assess their risk tolerance for possible future investment strategies to grow their savings. Account contributors or designated beneficiaries are limited, by the ABLE Act, to change the way their money is invested in the account up to two times per year.

1. How many eligible individuals and families might benefit from establishing an ABLE account?

There are 58 million individuals with disabilities in the United States. To meet the definition of significant disability required by the legislation to be eligible to establish an ABLE account, the conservative number would be approximately 10 percent of the larger group, or 5.8 million individuals and families. Further analysis is needed to understand more fully the size of this market and more about their needs for new savings and investment products.

1. How is an ABLE account different than a special needs or pooled trust?

An ABLE Account will provide more choice and control for the beneficiary and family. Cost of establishing an account will be considerably less than either a Special Needs Trust (SNT) or Pooled Income Trust. With an ABLE account, account owners will have the ability to control their funds and, if circumstances change, still have other options available to them. Determining which option is the most appropriate will depend upon individual circumstances. For many families, the ABLE account will be a significant and viable option in addition to, rather than instead of, a Trust program.

Source: http://www.realeconomicimpact.org/News.aspx?id=460

An article inDisability Scoopby Michelle Diament about how the Senate voted to pass the ABLE Act. The bill now goes to the President to sign. The ABLE Act would allow people with disabilities todeposit up to $14,000 annually under current gift-tax limitations and accrue as much as $100,000 without risking eligibility for Social Security and other government programs.

Tax-Free Disability Savings Bill Headed To Obama

By Michelle Diament

The U.S. Senate has voted overwhelmingly to send legislation to the president establishing a new way for people with disabilities to save money without risking their government benefits.

Lawmakers voted 76 to 16 to approve the bill as part of a package of tax measures Tuesday evening. The legislation will now go to President Barack Obama to sign.

Originally known as the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act, the legislation which has been under consideration since 2006 was recently renamed the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014. A longtime proponent of the bill, Beck died unexpectedly earlier this month.

The ABLE Act would allow people with disabilities to establish special accounts where they could save money to pay for education, health care, transportation, housing and other expenses. Individuals could deposit up to $14,000 annually under current gift-tax limitations and accrue as much as $100,000 without risking eligibility for Social Security and other government programs.

Meanwhile, the bill ensures that people with disabilities can retain Medicaid coverage no matter how much money is saved in their ABLE account.

This landmark legislation puts a stake in the ground that people with disabilities, for the first time ever, can work and save money for the future, said Sara Weir, interim president of the National Down Syndrome Society.

The accounts are modeled after 529 college savings plans and interest earned on savings would be tax-free.

The bill does include some limitations, however. Each person may only have one ABLE account and to qualify a person must have a condition that occurred before the age of 26.

Its utterly unacceptable that our current laws doom a child born with a disability to a lifetime of poverty and dependence, said Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., one of the measures chief sponsors. The ABLE Act will take the first critical step in ending this injustice.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/12/17/tax-disability-savings-obama/19926/

An article inDisability Scoop by Michelle Diament about how the senator who shaped the American with Disabilities Act is stepping down after 40 years. It's interesting to read what he all has done.

Disability Champion Leaving Congress

By Michelle Diament

After 40 years on Capitol Hill, a U.S. senator who shaped the Americans with Disabilities Act is leaving his post.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, is retiring at the conclusion of the year, after choosing not to seek re-election.

The departure will leave disability advocates without their strongest ally in Congress.

Often inspired by the experiences of his late brother Frank, who was deaf, Harkin has long prioritized the needs of people with disabilities, authoring the landmark ADA and pushing for legislation expanding opportunities for education, independent living, employment and physical accessibility.

Harkins passion to create a world where people with disabilities live independently and are assured of basic equal opportunity has created a lasting and positive impact on the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities, said Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, who called Harkin the disability communitys number one champion in Congress.

I do not think anyone will replace Harkin, either in spirit or in actuality. I anticipate that many senators will take up various pieces of the disability agenda, but no one will take up the entire cause, Perriello said.

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who worked side-by-side with Harkin on the Senates Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee echoed that sentiment.

Sen. Harkins legacy is secure, Alexander said. He is the Senates champion of Americans with disabilities. Itll be a long time before theres a greater champion of Americans with disabilities in this body and I salute him for that.

Speaking on the Senate floor last week, Harkin urged his colleagues to continue his work.

We have made significant strides forward in changing America to fulfill two of the four goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These two are full participation and equal opportunity, Harkin said. The other two goals independent living and economic self-sufficiency need more development.

Specifically, he called on lawmakers to support expanded opportunities for competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities, acknowledging that he hadnt done enough in that realm. And, he said more work is needed to further deinstitutionalization of people with disabilities by providing opportunities for true independent living with supports.

Harkin also lamented the Senates failure to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

I dont think anything has saddened me more in my 30 years here than the failure of the Senate to ratify the CRPD, Harkin said. I hope the next Senate will take this up and join with the rest of the world in helping make changes globally for people with disabilities.

Noting that he once delivered an entire speech on the Senate floor in sign language, Harkin turned to just one sign to close his time in Congress, pausing to teach those in the chamber the sign for America.

All of us, interconnected, bound together in a single circle of inclusion with no one left out. This is the ideal America toward which we must always aspire, he said.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/12/16/disability-champion-leaving/19924/