Note the members from Michigan...
The ABLE National Resource Center (ANRC) announced today the launch of its inaugural ABLE Advisory Group. The 10 Individuals in the first cohort consist of working-age adults with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. The ABLE Advisors have a wide range of motivations for opening an ABLE account and short- and long-term financial goals for how funds in their accounts will be used to help them increase their health, independence and quality of life. The Advisors also represent a diverse selection of ABLE programs, types of disabilities, geographic locations, ages, gender, race and ethnicity.
The following individuals have been selected to serve as 2018 ABLE Advisors:
- Larry Angeli - Farmington Hills, MI – Parent, Michigan MiABLE Program
- Regina Bradley – Buffalo, MO – Parent, Missouri MO ABLE Program
- Al Elia – Washington, D.C. – Massachusetts Attainable ABLE Program
- Lauren Hughes – Caldwell, ID – Parent, Oregon ABLE for All Account Program
- Rachel Mast – Olathe, KS – Kansas ABLE Program
- Edward Mitchell – Jackson, TN – Tennessee TN ABLE Program
- Anthony Mowl – Austin, TX – Maryland ABLE Program
- Kathryn Oliver – Austin, TX – Ohio STABLE Account Program
- Sarah Perez – Norfolk, VA – Michigan MiABLE Program
- Cheryl Walfall-Flagg – Raleigh, NC – Parent, NC ABLE Account Program
The role of the ABLE Advisors will be twofold. As the human face of ABLE, Advisors will be national spokespersons for ABLE accounts. ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts that have the potential to significantly increase the health, independence and quality of life of individuals with disabilities, without jeopardizing eligibility for benefits provided through programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Through sharing their experiences and stories as ABLE account holders, Advisors will impart knowledge of successful strategies for utilizing ABLE accounts to achieve personal goals to millions of ABLE-eligible individuals.
“ABLE accounts are a down payment on freedom for millions of individuals with disabilities and their families,” Christopher J. Rodriguez, Director of the ANRC, said. “Yet, public knowledge of ABLE accounts is somewhat lacking and enrollment in ABLE programs still has significant room for growth.”