http://goo.gl/OjJCGR
Through the DISABLE POVERTY campaign, National Disability Institute wants to bring awareness to the plight of seven million individuals with disabilities in this country who live in poverty, and the millions more who teeter just above the poverty line and are one unexpected expense away from plunging below it. In a presidential election year, with so much rhetoric around income inequality, the DISABLE POVERTY campaign is timely as no other population in America is subject to more economic disparity than people with disabilities.
The two overarching goals of the DISABLE POVERTY campaign, to be achieved in the next 10 years, are to:
- DECREASE the number of working-age adults with disabilities living in poverty by 50 percent, and
- INCREASE the use of banking products and services among Americans with disabilities by 50 percent.
Participants in the DISABLE POVERTY campaign are asked to take a pledge and share on social media urging others to do the same. In addition, a series of actionable items for individuals, disability/advocacy organizations, companies and financial institutions provide concrete steps that people can take to spread awareness about this issue. Beyond thinking, “Isn’t it terrible that so many people with disabilities live in poverty,” these actionable items are meant to empower individuals to become change agents on behalf of this economically vulnerable population.