Delaware HB 296 - helping people increase savings in ABLE accounts

321foundation is proud to be a part of the efforts to pass Delaware HB 296 which will promote contributions to 529a ABLE savings accounts by offing a tax deduction. This will promote savings and financial independence for Delaware ABLE account holders. Funds from the accounts can be used  for many quality of life expenses not covered by Medicaid. 

Bill summary:

This bill creates a tax deduction of up to $2,500 for an individual or $5,000 for a married couple for contributions to a qualified 529A savings account, or "ABLE" plan - a special account for meeting the needs of certain individuals with disabilities. The deduction may only be claimed by a taxpayer who makes less than $125,000 or a married couple who makes less than $250,000. It is applicable only to ABLE plans sponsored by the State of Delaware or offered by a consortium of states of which Delaware is a member.

The bill was introduced on 1/16/18 and will be reviewed in committee by the end of the month. 

http://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?legislationId=26251

When It Comes To Special Ed, Quality Can Depend On Zip Code

Experts estimate that up to 90 percent of students with disabilities can graduate high school meeting the same academic expectations as their peers. But parents and advocates say that other 10 percent are often assumed to be less capable than they are.

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2017/12/13/when-special-ed-quality-zip-code/24524/

Celebrities supporting people with DS

Here are some celebrities, athletes and public figures who love someone with Down syndrome...

23 Celebrities and Public Figures Who Love Someone With Down Syndrome

From TheMighty.com

Christie, Legislature help New Jerseyans with Down syndrome make progress | Opiniono

This year, New Jerseyans with Down syndrome and their families have more to celebrate than usual.

Gov. Chris Christie recently signed into law the bipartisan Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which will help people with disabilities save for the future and promote financial independence. New Jersey is also leading the way by banning discrimination against people with disabilities when determining who receives organ transplants.

http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/03/new_jerseyans_with_down_syndrome_make_progress_opi.html#incart_river_index

Congress May Consider Tweaks To ABLE Accounts

Federal lawmakers are already looking to expand the eligibility and capabilities of a new type of savings account for people with disabilities.

A package of three bills introduced this month in Congress would offer extra flexibility to individuals with disabilities using accounts created under the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act.

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/03/22/congress-tweaks-able-accounts/22074/

Hotel Centered Around Workers With Special Needs Set To Open

From day one, at least 20 percent of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel’s 129-person workforce will be people with developmental and other types of disabilities, according to Sally Morris with The Arc of Indiana, which spearheaded the project.

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/12/18/hotel-special-needs-open/21708/

Tim’s Place set to close, couple opens up about decision to leave

“I’m going to miss it here but I’m doing for it love,” Tim says. 

Tim says he is most thankful for his customers and family. He is planning to open a “Tim’s Place” in Denver but make it a little different.

http://krqe.com/2015/12/17/tims-place-set-to-close-couple-opens-up-about-decision-to-leave/

People With Down Syndrome Pose as Music Icons in Rockin’ Photo Series

“I would love to have people look at these photos and walk away either with a more positive outlook on Down syndrome or special needs in general,” Zook told The Mighty. “I hope it brings joy and comfort, but I also hope that it will provide a more positive reminder of the great potential there is for all these individuals with special needs.”

http://themighty.com/2015/12/people-with-down-syndrome-pose-as-music-icons-in-rockin-photo-series/

Surprising idea for special education students: Go to college

It turns out that, at least for a small segment of the Portland area's young adults with intellectual disabilities, college will in fact be possible. Some college officials say such programs will prompt society to stop automatically writing off people with intellectual disabilities as "not college material."

College attendance by people with intellectual disabilities has been shown to translate into better jobs with better pay and greater independence.

http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2015/11/surprising_idea_for_students_w.html

ESEA Rewrite Passes

Hear that collective whoop from the Capitol? That's the sound of education advocates and lawmakers cheering at the finish line as the first rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in more than a dozen years sails through Congress and on to the White House. 

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved the rewrite of the withering No Child Left Behind Act—the current version of the ESEA—by a huge bipartisan margin, 85 to 12, mirroring the vote of 359 to 64 in the U.S. House of Representatives just days earlier. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill Thursday.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2015/12/esea_rewrite_headed_to_obamas_.html?cmp=eml-contshr-shr