Dr. Mustafa Rfat
Assistant professor, scholar, and advocate, Mustafa acquired his disability as a teenager. When he received a scholarship to support his education, he was initially afraid to accept it because having too much money in his personal bank account could have jeopardized his eligibility for Medicaid. He opened an ABLE account because he needed a way to save for education and other essential expenses while protecting the benefits he relied on. For Mustafa, the ABLE account provided not only greater financial flexibility, but also peace of mind as he pursued his educational and professional goals.
“My ABLE account gave me the freedom to pursue my dreams while saving for my basic needs. More importantly, it reduced the stress and uncertainty of having to choose between financial security and the essential benefits I rely on to maintain my health and independence.”
I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Grace Abbott School of Social Work. I earned my PhD in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. My research focuses on the social determinants of health among refugees and immigrants with disabilities, with particular attention to disability justice, health equity, economic empowerment, and community inclusion. As a scholar with lived experience, I bring personal and professional expertise to my work. In my free time, I enjoy reading, walking, volunteering, and spending time learning from different communities and cultures. I value opportunities such as being an ABLE ambassador that allow me to connect with people, share knowledge, and support meaningful change.