Accounts promote independence for disabled

Saving money for the future is something most are taught at a young age.

But the ability to do so is an opportunity often taken for granted.

Until last month, Wisconsin residents with disabilities were limited to a savings account of no more than $2,000. That’s clearly not enough to sustain a long, productive and independent life, yet saving more than $2,000 would result in the loss of health insurance and other government means-based benefits.

That ended in Wisconsin in June with the signing of a state budget bill that created a way for disabled residents and their parents to save for the future. Achieving Better Life Experience, or ABLE, accounts are tax-advantaged saving accounts that work much like the 529 college saving accounts—they both have a maximum balance of $330,00—and remain separate from public benefits for income, health care, food and housing assistance.

Robbin Thomas Lyons of Delafield has for years championed a change in the law in Wisconsin and nationally.

Her daughter, Kelly, has Down syndrome and her son, Reed, is on the autism spectrum. She said she knew prior to Kelly’s birth that college and marriage would still be possibilities for her daughter. What kept her up at night was knowing Kelly would not be able to save for those things.

“I want her to be able to do anything she thinks she can do,” Thomas Lyons said. “So, every year we go to Congress and they finally came around and saw that this was the most important bipartisan, bicameral law to be passed in a very long time and will help parents like me sleep at night.”

Thomas Lyons is president of Wisconsin Upside Down, an organization aimed at enhancing the quality of life of individuals with Down syndrome in southeastern Wisconsin. She spoke Monday at an appearance in Green Bay with other disability-rights advocates and state Rep. John Macco, R-De Pere, who sponsored creation of the accounts.

Kelly Lyons, like most 12-year-olds, is already thinking about what she wants to do for a living. She said she sees an ABLE account as her ticket to a brighter future.

“I need ABLE to save money for college and to buy a house some day,” she said. ‘When I grow up I want to be a dental hygienist. ABLE can help my dreams come true.”

Lisa Pugh, public policy director for Disability Rights Wisconsin, said state approval of ABLE accounts was a lengthy process that required a great deal of commitment by supporters.

“These are people who have traveled to the U.S. Capitol, sent numerous letters, testified before committees and made many calls because they believe strongly this law will make a huge difference and will be life-changing for them and approximately 50,000 others in the state of Wisconsin,” Pugh said.

Macco said the accounts are a steppingstone to a broader goal.

“This is not about an account for people to save money. For me, this is about freedom,” Macco said. “It’s about flexibility and taking that portion of our citizens and moving them into (being) contributing citizens and no longer intentionally segregating them and pushing them off to the side. I think there is more to this than just the savings tool.”

— sleduc@greenbay.gannett.com ‘Like’ Shelby Le Duc on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @pgshelbyleduc and Instagram @shelbyleduc22.