ABLE NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER LAUNCHES #ABLETOSAVE CAMPAIGN

Washington, D.C., July 31, 2017 -- ABLE National Resource Center announced today the launch of #ABLEtoSave, a month-long grassroots education and informational campaign about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts. The primary goals of #ABLEtoSave are to increase awareness about ABLE accounts and to accelerate the amount of ABLE accounts opened across the country in the short- and long-term. 

ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts that have the potential to significantly increase the independence and quality of life of individuals with disabilities without jeopardizing much-needed benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Since the passage of the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act in December 2014, 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, have passed ABLE legislation. As of July 2017, 23 states have launched ABLE programs (most of which are nationwide programs). 

“ABLE accounts are a down payment on freedom for millions of individuals with disabilities and their families,” Christopher J. Rodriguez, Director of the ABLE National Resource Center, said. “Yet, public knowledge of ABLE accounts is somewhat lacking and enrollment in ABLE programs still has significant room for growth.” He added, “The goal of the #ABLEtoSave campaign is to significantly boost public knowledge about ABLE accounts and ultimately increase the amount of ABLE accounts opened across all ABLE programs.” 

The campaign is expected to have widespread participation from all existing and soon-to-be-launched ABLE programs, major national disability groups, financial institutions and other stakeholders. The #ABLEtoSave campaign is made possible through the generous support of Fidelity Investments, BNY Mellon and Fifth Third Bank. 

Throughout the month of August, ANRC will provide a detailed calendar of sample messages, tweets and other resources to all campaign participants. Informational and marketing videos have also been developed, and a topical webinar will be held each week. Each of the five weeks in August will focus on a different theme:

• Week 1 (July 30 – August 5): Basic Overview of ABLE
• Week 2 (August 6-12): Eligibility
• Week 3 (August 13 – 19): Qualified Disability Expenses
• Week 4 (August 20 – 26): Financial Literacy
• Week 5 (August 27 – September 2): Enrollment

All current ABLE programs, as well as several programs that plan to launch by the end of 2017, will participate in the campaign. State ABLE programs may offer certain enrollment incentives during August and will share their own ABLE materials in addition to those provided as part of the #ABLEtoSave campaign.

An #ABLEtoSave toolkit will be housed on the ANRC website and will include a logo, sample social media posts, videos and additional outreach materials. For more information about the ABLE Act and ABLE accounts, visit www.ablenrc.org. 

About ABLE National Resource Center

ABLE National Resource Center (ANRC) is a collaborative that brings together the investment, support and resources of some of the country's largest and most influential national disability organizations in an effort to accelerate the design and availability of ABLE accounts to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families. Founded and managed by National Disability Institute (NDI), ANRC's goal is to provide consistent, reliable information concerning the benefits of an ABLE account. In addition, ANRC aims to educate individuals with disabilities and their families, state government and legislatures, financial service companies and financial planners and attorneys - who focus on trust and estate planning - about ABLE’s potential positive impact on the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities. Visit www.ablenrc.org for more information.

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Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9474e83a-f3b7-4fa2-8c78-a437d6276112

Kathleen Brannigan
National Disability Institute
202 296 5393
[email protected]