National Disability Institute

NDI Policy Director Lydia X. Z. Brown, J.D. recently shared their valuable insights following a roundtable discussion with disability rights advocates including U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt. Check out the full story at bit.ly/4fQczck. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: “People with disabilities are affected by every single issue that is of concern to any community that cares about the future of humanity and that cares about the good of society.” -Lydia X.Z. Brown, J.D, NDI Policy Director. 

Join us for Intro to ADEN! Learn how the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) can empower you to offer top-notch employment services. As an Employment Network, enjoy unparalleled technical assistance, cutting-edge tools and a secure portal for seamless case management—all without any upfront costs. Register at bit.ly/adensept. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: Intro to ADEN. Learn how the American Dream Employment Network can empower you to offer top-notch employment services. September 4 at 1:30 pm EST. A cutout photo of four colleagues smiling, wearing blue lanyards and carrying laptops or cups of coffee is layered at the bottom of the graphic in front of images of white clouds. The ADEN logo is in the top right corner. 

Calling all Illinois community-based organizations, service providers, self-advocates, family members and local and state government agencies! Attend our free, in-person event and learn how to provide financial wellness education to people with disabilities and their supporters. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/ilddndi. Image description: Square bright blue graphic with white text reading: Financial Wellness Training Event! September 24-26, 8:30am-4:00pm. University of Illinois Chicago. Learn more and apply! There is a cutout photo of a woman with a developmental disability smiling and standing with her arms crossed. Logos for ILDD, UIC and NDI are in a banner at the top of the graphic. 

Meet Kish! Kish Pisani is a Project Coordinator and the Illinois Trainer Support Network Liaison. Before joining NDI, she was Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Microboards and Cooperatives which helps empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and families in creating circles of support to live inclusive lives in their communities. Kish has over 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, nonprofit management, storytelling, organizational development, creative writing and advocacy. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communication and Public Relations from Marquette University. Kish is also a Partners in Policymaking® graduate, trained in different person-centered planning tools and the first Charting the LifeCourse Ambassador in Illinois. However, her most important job is a parent of an adult son with intellectual and developmental disabilities who is employed and living an active life in the community. Kish and her family are active volunteers and coaches with Special Olympics Illinois. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: Meet the Team. Hello, I’m Kish! Meet NDI Project Coordinator Kish Pisani. kpisani@ndi-inc.org. https://lnkd.in/eJSHBJGq. There is a photo of Kish smiling in a black blouse with a Polaroid frame. Above the photo is the NDI logo.

New bills aim to make it easier for disabled individuals to save through ABLE accounts. This proposed legislation will increase awareness, allow direct deposits and enable employer contributions without risking federal benefits. NDI is grateful for U.S. Senator Bob Casey's leadership on these issues. Read the full article at bit.ly/3yN59Ga. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: New bill proposals aim to make it easier for disabled individuals to save money. Faded into the background is a portrait of a smiling businesswoman using an electric wheelchair holding a folder. #ABLE #DisabilityAdvocacy #FinancialInclusion

As a Verizon Business Digital Ready member, you can access self-paced courses, $10,000 grant opportunities, coaching sessions with industry experts, networking events, exclusive incentives and more. Get started at bit.ly/verizonndi. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: Grow your business with free courses. As a Digital Ready member, you can enroll and start growing your skills-and business-for free. There is a cutout photo of a small business owner smiling as he places a stack of pizza boxes into a carrying case. Verizon and NDI logos are in the top right corner of the graphic. 

We're excited to share that NDI’s Assistive Technology Loan Program participated in the launch of the Niagara University Institute on Disability Awareness (IDA) this summer! Building on 15 years of impactful work in disability awareness, this program is expanding its reach beyond first responders and municipalities to include Probation, Corrections and School Resource Officers, as well as sectors like Hospitality, Employment and Healthcare. On campus, they’re also introducing a Disabilities Studies minor, a Mental Health Awareness Initiative and a Disability Assistance Program. NDI is proud to support these advancements in #DisabilityInclusion. Pictured from left to right are Tim Regan - Hamburg (NY) Asst. ADA Coordinator, Dr. Carolyn Shivers - Institute Academic Advisor/Faculty, Chris Hull - Hamburg (NY) ADA Coordinator, Michelle Schieb - Niagara County Independent Living Center, Todd Vaarwerk - WNY Independent Living Center, Dave Whalen - Institute Director, Chris Minkler - National Federation of the Blind Buffalo Chapter, Stephanie Saunders - Community Services for Every1, Stephanie Orlando - WNY Independent Living Center, Laurie Schaller - National Disability Institute. 

Mattel, Inc. has created two new dolls representing disabilities: a Blind Barbie and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome. Created in collaboration with the American Foundation for the Blind and the National Down Syndrome Society, these dolls promote inclusivity and self-expression, each thoughtfully designed with features reflecting their respective communities. Check out the article at bit.ly/3WRIuAr. Image description: Square teal graphic with white text reading: Mattel releases 'Blind Barbie' doll, plus 'Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome'. In the background is a photo of a young girl playing with a Blind Barbie. The NDI logo is centered above the text. #DisabilityInclusion #RepresentationMatters #Barbie

The third and final bill of the three-bill package introduced by Senator Bob Casey last week allows individuals with disabilities to receive direct deposits to their ABLE accounts. Learn more at bit.ly/caseyable. Thank you, Senator Casey, for your leadership on this legislation. Image description: Square graphic with white text reading: Public Policy Update: ABLE Direct Deposit Act Introduced by U.S. Senator Bob Casey. This proposed legislation would affirm that direct deposits from employers or government programs can be made to ABLE accounts. In the background of the graphic is a photo of a gavel on a desk and a person signing a document. The NDI logo is in the top right corner.  

Senator Bob Casey’s latest legislative package includes three bills to expand the ABLE program even further and ensure more eligible people with disabilities can access program benefits. Thank you, Senator Casey, for championing these bills. What do you think of this legislation? Let us know in the comments!  Learn more at bit.ly/caseyable.  Image description: Three square teal graphics with white text. Slide one: Public Policy Update: ABLE Employment Flexibility Act Introduced. Learn more. There is a photo in the background of two people in suits, the American flag on a stand behind them, looking over documents. The NDI logo is in the top right corner of the graphic.  Slide two: Many employers offer 401k matching contributions to workers as a benefit of employment. However, people with disabilities can be precluded from benefiting from this option because contributions could count against the strict asset limits for federal benefits programs. People with disabilities who are working should have the same access to employee benefits as people without disabilities, including 401k matching contributions. Slide three: ABLE Employment Flexibility Act. This proposed legislation allows the employer to contribute to an employee’s ABLE account in lieu of a 401k so that employees can save for retirement without fear of losing the federal benefits they rely on. There is an illustration of a piggy bank with two retirement-age people dropping coins into the piggy bank.