Third Annual Financial Wellness Webinar Series for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis

by Adam
(New York City)

On July 17, 2013, National Disability Institute will launch a new series of six free national webinars designed to help people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) plan for their financial futures. National Disability Institute’s Financial Wellness Webinar Series sponsored by Acorda Therapeutics will feature experts in financial capability, favorable tax provisions, disability benefits and other areas outlining important options specifically for people with MS related to taxes, public benefits and healthcare subsidies, employment and other areas of personal finance. The new series marks the third consecutive year the Financial Wellness Webinar Series will be offered, with topics selected based on last year's participant feedback. More than 1,300 people registered for the webinars in 2012.

The webinar series launch coincides with the 23rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the federal civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and ensures equal access and opportunity. In 2011, National Disability Institute conducted an online survey of 3,000 people living with MS, with 67 percent of respondents reporting their financial positions declined after their MS diagnosis. In addition, 74 percent reported that they did not use financial planning programs or strategies to manage or stabilize their finances. The Financial Wellness Webinar Series will connect people living with MS to vital information and tools designed to advance their overall financial capability.

The first Financial Wellness Webinar will be held Wednesday, July 17th at 3:00 p.m. ET and will last 90 minutes. Subsequent webinars will be held on the third Wednesday of each month through December 2013. Each webinar consists of a one-hour expert presentation followed by a half-hour set aside for participant questions. Guest speakers who live with MS will offer a peer perspective during each webinar as well. There is no cost to participate in the webinars, but registration is required. Visit www.realeconomicimpact.org/FinancialWellness for more information and to register for any of the six webinars in the series:

July 17: Financial Education – Charting a Course to Financial Wellness
August 21: Your Home – Owning, Refinancing & Modifying
September 18: Social Security Disability Insurance – The Impact of Work on Benefits
October 16: Prolonging Work Supports to Keep You on the Job
November 20: The NEW Healthcare Changes and You
December 18: Favorable Tax Deductions for Individuals with Disabilities

* Webinar topics are subject to change.

"This unique webinar series is a free, no-risk opportunity for people living with MS to take positive steps toward improving their financial futures – for themselves and their families. Each program includes easy-to-understand information to help people with MS manage their money, understand their rights and responsibilities, and develop a smart savings and investment plan for the future," said Michael Morris, executive director of National Disability Institute. “Expanding knowledge is a vital first step toward promoting financial capability and stability for people living with MS and for all people with disabilities."

"Our mission at Acorda is to improve the lives of people affected by neurological diseases, and our support for the Financial Wellness Webinar series at National Disability Institute is an important reflection of that mission," said Tierney Saccavino, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Acorda Therapeutics. "It is often very difficult for people living with MS to find information about financial matters that addresses their specific and unique challenges. This webinar series addresses a significant need and we at Acorda are grateful for the opportunity to once again sponsor this groundbreaking program for the MS community."

On Friday, July 12th at 3:00 p.m. ET, National Disability Institute will host a live chat on Twitter to preview the Financial Wellness Webinar series topics and create an open forum for the discussion of financial issues faced by people living with MS. Join the chat by following @RealEconImpact and using the hashtag #FWFriday. National Disability Institute will select participants from the Twitter chat to author a guest post that will be published on the organization’s blog at http://realeconomicimpact.tumblr.com/.