The Needs Of People With Disabilities
The first step to building an inclusive financial empowerment program is understanding who people with disabilities are and their unique financial situations.
What do we mean by the term “disability?”
In general, a person with a disability is a someone who has a long-term physical, hearing, seeing, cognitive, mental or emotional impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. Disability, however, occurs on a continuum and there is no clearly defined line between those who have a disability and those who do not.
The definition of disability varies based on the purpose of defining it. The ADA definition differs from the definition used by the Social Security Administration because one is used to protect civil rights and one is used to provide cash benefits.
The “social model” says that disability is an interaction between the person and the environment—that people are limited by barriers in society, not solely by their disability. These barriers can be physical, programmatic or attitudinal. Therefore, our job is to adjust the financial environment to meet the needs of all.
The disability population is diverse in terms of disability characteristics (the type and severity of the disability and the age at which the disability was acquired) and lived experience.
There are between 40-57 million people with disabilities in the United States, which is about 13-20 percent of population.
Resources:
- Disability Sensitivity Guide: Overview of Disability, Myths and Stereotypes – and Tips for Effective Communication — Read More
- A Brief Description of the Social Model of Disability — Read More
- Video: Stella Young Explains the Social Model of Disability — Watch Video
What are the financial challenges faced by people with disabilities?
People with disabilities differ in their socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Some are prosperous, others rely on public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and a constellation of public services. Almost half have incomes under $35,000. Some are married, others are single. On average, people with disabilities are more likely to be older, out of labor force, have lower levels of education and incomes.
The following are resources that describe the financial needs of people with disabilities.
- REPORT: Financial Capability of Adults with Disabilities: Findings from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation National Financial Capability Study
- INFOGRAPHIC: The Financial Challenges of Disability
- WEBINAR: Groundbreaking Report Released: Financial Capabilities of Adults with Disabilities
- REPORT: Financial Inequality: Disability, Race and Poverty in America
- Findings from Community Input Sessions
- REPORT: Banking Status and Financial Behaviors of Adults with Disabilities
- WEBINAR: Findings from the 2018 Prosperity Now Scorecard
What are the crucial knowledge and skills people with disabilities need for financial empowerment?
People with disabilities need the same skills as those without disabilities in order to become financially empowered. They need to learn to create a spending plan, effectively use banks and manage their debt and credit. In addition, they need to understand public benefit programs and the disability service system. Individuals who are entering or re-entering the workforce may also need to understand the impact of work on benefits and how to maximize their net income.
Online Classes (for the individual)
- Changing Face of Public Benefits
- Creating a Zero-Balance Budget
- Steps to Achieving My American Dream
To see more classes, please visit our online classroom.
Additional Questions
Most financial capability programs cover key issues – such as budgeting, saving, debt, credit, taxes and financial products – that are important to all populations. However, programs often overlook issues specific to people with disabilities, such as managing public benefits, Social Security Disability Work Incentives, using available savings mechanisms, such as an ABLE account, paying for assistive technology, control of financial decision making and financial exploitation. In order to be inclusive, programs need to address these issues and consider physical, sensory and cognitive accessibility and disability etiquette.
Brief: Addressing the Needs of Americans with Disabilities in Financial Capability Programs
People with disabilities are more likely to have disability-related expenses and lower household incomes which leads to financial stress. They face myths that limit their financial empowerment and historically have not had access to targeted financial capability strategies. Many adults with disabilities fall into the low-to-moderate income (LMI) population that many financial empowerment services are designed to assist.
Disability Is a Cause and Consequence of Poverty
WEBINAR: Defining Financial Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities
Accessibility and sensitivity is critical to developing a program that fully includes participants with disabilities. A disability etiquette guide provides tips on how to interact with people with different types of disabilities. However, the best way to understand the needs of people with disabilities is to include them in all stages of your planning process.
Disability Awareness Training for VITA Volunteers & Site Coordinators
Empowered Cities Webinar: Making Data Work for You
Data can be used to identify the scope of needs in your community, to motivate action, to target your program and to monitor outcomes. You can access existing national, state and local disability data from a variety sources.
WEBINAR: Making Data Work for You
Other Steps in the Framework
I want to learn about:
2
Financial Empowerment Models
3
Taking Action and Implementing
4
Measuring and Sustaining Impact
Questions?
If you have questions about our Empowered Cities initiative or want more information about NDI’s projects, please call (202) 296-2040 or email info@ndi-inc.org.
