ABLE NRC’s BIPOC Ambassadors embody the diversity of this country, representing cross-segments by type of disability, race and ethnicity, age, gender, sex, geographic location and having a wide-range of ABLE goals. They are ABLE account owners and family members who are actively working to increase engagement and buy-in around ABLE accounts in their communities. BIPOC Ambassadors recognize that this is especially important given the higher rates of poverty at the intersection of disability and race.
The ABLE NRC BIPOC Ambassadors share a common goal to ensure that others in the BIPOC community benefit from ABLE accounts, as they have benefited. This includes achieving milestones such as home-ownership, accessible vehicle, assistive technology and accommodation purchases, creation of emergency expense funds, along with long-term planning for retirement and other needed services and expenditures not covered by other programs or providers.
Check out what the BIPOC Ambassadors have to say about their experience with ABLE accounts below.
Additionally, check out the ABLE BIPOC Outreach Toolkit that Ambassadors helped develop and promote in partnership with ABLE NRC leadership.
Changing the self-fulfilling prophecy, Ty grew up both in extreme poverty with no family resources and locked in the mental health system. He was told that he would never amount to anything and would spend the rest of his life behind bars. Now he is an active high level policy maker, benefits planner, ABLE account owner and proud homeowner! Ty is saving in his ABLE account for home repairs and improvements and has a savings goal to purchase a newer car.
Beverli is a new ABLE Ambassador for the ABLE National Resource Center, joining the team in March of 2023.
Advocate for children and adults with sickle-cell disease. Son receives Social Security Disability Benefits. ABLE funds are being saved for a communications device, durable medical equipment and an accessible vehicle.
Timothy is a disabled veteran who mentors individuals with disabilities and teaches them how to advocate for themselves. As a part of his advocacy, Timothy has been spreading the word about ABLE accounts, especially to people who cannot afford to set up a trust fund.
Edward Mitchell is saving for vehicle modifications and accessible housing needs.
Sarah Perez is saving for transportation, continuing education classes, her YMCA Membership and art supplies.
Latino Chiricahua Apache, Two Spirits on the Board of Directors for Disability Rights California and National Disability Rights Network. ABLE funds are being saved to maintain a safety net while working to be self-sufficient.
Nathan Turner is saving for larger purchases. He has used his ABLE account to purchase an accessible vehicle and has saved several thousand dollars as a down payment for a home.
Cheryl Walfall-Flagg is saving for when she and her husband are no longer around. She is saving for her son's independence and ability to live and enjoy life to the fullest as an adult.