1. National Disability Institute6
The mission of National Disability Institute is to drive social impact to build a better economic future for people with disabilities and their families.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

2. healthcare costs on individual finances
National Landscape 8
Renewed focus on low wage workers
Shift from employment to financial stability
Increased understanding of the impact of
healthcare costs on individual finances
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

3. Why the Shift 9
Welfare reform called for a movement of individuals from welfare to work – this led organizations to take a closer look at what tools an individual and family needed to be economically self-sufficient.
Significant research by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and others showed progress when certain strategies (as we will describe) were applied within concentrated low income communities.
Poverty numbers started to increase and in 2008 were their
highest since 1997.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

4. Asset Poverty Varies Significantly11
33% of all American households have no assets or are in debt.
54% of Hispanic households have a similar status.
60% of African American households have no net assets.
80% of persons with disabilities have no net assets.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

5. Disability and Poverty12
People with disabilities are more likely to be unemployed and to live in poverty than any other single demographic group in the United States today.
Public benefit programs for people with disabilities, especially Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are not aimed at increasing assets and independence for people with disabilities.
More so then any other population on a fixed income, services and policies do not hold the expectation of economic self-sufficiency.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

6. Financial Stability What is it? & Why is it important? 13
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

7. Defining Terms 14
Financial Capability: Combination of knowledge and skills to inform financial decisions and behaviors, identify opportunities to improve financial stability, and manage financial resources effectively.
Economic Security: the condition of having stable income or other resources to support a standard of living now and in the foreseeable future.
Asset: a resource or item with economic value that an individual owns or controls with the expectation that it will provide future benefit.
Asset Development: a series of strategies that can help people
improve their economic status.
Work Supports: any subsidy or service that supports one’s ability to obtain or retain employment.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

8. Financial Education vs. Financial Capability vs. Financial Stability15
Financial Education vs. Financial Capability vs. Financial Stability
Financial Education
(Knowledge & Skills)
Financial Capability (Actions)
Financial Stability (Outcomes)
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

9. Financial Stability What is it?16
Financial Stability What is it?
Financial Stability is a series of strategies that has the potential to:
help people with disabilities improve their economic stability,
decrease stress and financial crisis in an individual’s life
expand opportunities for community participation, and
positively impact an individual’s quality of life experience.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

10. 17
Paradigm Shift
The notion that employment is one goal NOT the only goal.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

11. Strategies 18 Financial Literacy Banking Budgeting Employment Medicaid
Credit Repair
Employment
Use of work incentives
Use of tax incentives
Earned Income Tax Credit
Medicaid
Buy-in
Family Self-Sufficiency Programs Ways to Work
Individual Development Accounts Assistive Technology Loan Funds
Student Loans
Post-secondary education
Self-employment Micro-Enterprise Home Ownership
Transportation
Protection and Advocacy, Taxpayer Advocates, Credit Counseling, Debt Management, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Benefits Specialist, Vocational Rehabilitation
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved 18

12. Financial Stability Why is it important?19
The presence of a disability and the need to maintain a public benefit should not require one to forfeit their economic stability and live in poverty. Without knowledge, guidance and encouragement, individuals are not empowered to earn, learn, save and build.
To a person with a disability, saving money and developing assets will produce choices that directly impact their quality of life, especially regarding:
mental and physical health
positive self-concept and level of community participation
expectations and status with other community stakeholders
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

13. So what’s the barrier? Public attitudes21
Public attitudes
Low expectations of and within the disability community, and
Current partnerships don’t support savings and
building a financial future.
Regulations discourage saving for the future;
retirement, emergencies, etc.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

14. Create New Expectations22
Assume all people want to better their lives.
Engage people with disabilities in the conversation.
Provide simplified opportunities for individuals to improve their financial stability.
Acknowledge the limited financial literacy of all Americans including those with disabilities.
Just as you assume competence, assume the desire to live beyond poverty.
Expect the systems to adjust to support this movement.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

15. Strategies for Building Financial Stability24
Strategies for Building Financial Stability
Financial Stability for Persons with
Disabilities is Achievable!
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

16. GOAL GOAL Asset Development Financial Employment Education Free Tax25
GOAL
Benefits Planning & Work Supports
Asset Development
Financial
Education
Employment
Free Tax
Preparation
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

17. Building Blocks for Self-Determination33
A person has the FREEDOM to dream, to make his or her own decisions and plan his or her own life.
A person has the AUTHORITY to control how money is spent for his or her supports.
A person has the SUPPORT needed from friends, family, and other people whom that person chooses.
Individuals take RESPONSIBILITY to do what they say they will do.
CONFIRMATION – the recognition that individuals themselves are a major
part of the design of their long-term services and supports.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

18. MY AMERICAN DREAM ACTIVITY34
MY AMERICAN DREAM ACTIVITY
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

19. Vision Boards or Action Board35
A(n) vision board/action board:
Creates a visual tool of items we hope to achieve
Provides us with a constant reminder of our goal
Is our own dream/vision that we have for our future
Creates a fun activity to begin and/or enhance the
conversation with individuals
Assists with identifying short-term and long-term
goals towards financial stability
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

20. 36
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

21. 37
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

22. 38
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

23. 39
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

24. 40
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

25. Example of how NDI Incorporates Vision Boards and Action Boards41
Example of how NDI Incorporates Vision Boards and Action Boards
My American Dream Activity
The My American Dream Activity provides an opportunity for
individuals to define their American Dream.
The activity gives attendees the opportunity to create a vision
board.
The activity allows individuals to build their knowledge over the course of the program.
It is key to allow the individuals to explore their creativeness in
developing their Dream Board!
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

26. LET’S CREATE A VISION BOARD42
LET’S CREATE A VISION BOARD
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

27. How Do I Create a Vision Board or Action Board43
Supplies Needed:
Poster board or card stock paper
Magazines
Scissors
Glue
Markers
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

28. Steps to Creating a Vision Board or Action Board44
Identify that ultimate goal you feel would make you extremely happy or that item(s) that you would really like to have.
Locate a picture or image of that item(s).
Cut out the image and place it on the board preferably in the center. If you have more than 1 item that is ok put them all on the board.
Identify next steps that you need to take to achieve one or more of your goals. Include them on the board as well.
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

29. GOAL GOAL Asset Development Financial Employment Education Free Tax25
GOAL
Benefits Planning & Work Supports
Asset Development
Financial
Education
Employment
Free Tax
Preparation
Copyright NDI © All rights reserved

30. Benefits Planning & Work Supports anything that helps gain and retain employment
SSI
SSDI
Medicaid
Medicare
______________
______________
______________

31. Employment
Voc Rehab
______________
______________
______________

32. Free Tax Preperation VITA AARP ______________ ______________

33. Financial Education Budgeting Credit Report ______________

34. Asset Development ABLE Act Trusts ______________ ______________