Each year, the TASH Conference strengthens the disability field by connecting attendees to innovative information and resources, facilitating connections between stakeholders within the disability movement, and helping attendees reignite their passion for an inclusive world. This year’s conference theme, “Gateway to Equity,” explores inclusive communities, schools, and workplaces that support people with disabilities, including those with complex support needs, in living a fair, just, and balanced life. Return to TASH website.
2016 is the first year that qualified individuals with disabilities will be able to open ABLE accounts. This marks a transformative first time opportunity for millions of individuals with disabilities, and their families, to save for their futures without jeopardizing their eligibility for vital public benefits that allow them to live as independently as possible in the community. Understanding the various characteristics of this new program is vital to assisting individuals with disabilities in realizing the benefits of opening and maintaining an ABLE program and moving into a direction of a new found level of financial independence. This session will provide ABLE stakeholders with the information needed to feel comfortable opening an ABLE account, and information related to maximizing the benefits of having an account. Learning objectives include: - ABLE program characteristics related to eligibility, contribution limits, qualified disbursement, and interaction with federally funded means test benefits - Understanding differences between various available programs - Where to go to sign up for ABLE accounts -How to maintain an ABLE account -Status of ABLE amendments in Congress
