NDI Inititatives

Housing Technical Assistance

For the past four years, NDI in collaboration with the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy has been actively assisting Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services grantees nationwide forge new partnerships between state Medicaid, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities agencies, and state and local Public Housing Authorities. Policy and leadership development assistance has led to new financial models for affordable and accessible housing choices linked to individualized support services.

Real Economic Impact Tour (formerly TAXfacts+ Campaign)

Powered by innovative public and private partnerships with NCB Development Corporation, the IRS/SPEC, the FDIC, the Office on Disability, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Law, Health Policy and Disability Center, University of Iowa, College of Law, NDI is helping design and implement a new level of community partnerships that channel asset development strategies, financial education and tax filing assistance into self-directed economic security for persons with disabilities. TaxFacts+ assisted 7,800 individuals with disabilities file for the first time in 2005. TaxFacts+ targeted 30 cities nationwide for the 2006 filing season and assisted over 17,000 individuals with disabilities. With support form the Ford Foundation and NCB, new understanding was produced on the financial service habits of tax filers with disabilities. In 2007, NDI with support from the IRS and the Bank of America Foundation has targeted 54 cities as part of the Real Economic Impact Tour. NDI has provided mini-grants to community partnerships in 25 of the 54 cities to increase outreach to low-income workers with disabilities and support asset development strategies.

Inclusive Credit Unions

NDI in partnership with the Law, Health Policy and Disability Center, the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education and the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (CDCUs) is expanding financial service outreach and education to individuals with disabilities. A national workgroup and two pilot site credit unions in the 230 credit union network are building the first inclusive network of services and education to better serve low-income Americans with disabilities.

Financial Education

NDI in collaboration with the FDIC Consumer Affairs Division adapted the FDIC's ten-module financial education curriculum, the Money Smart Program with supplementary materials to enhance its overall design for use by individuals with disabilities. NDI challenges all organizations providing financial education to low-income Americans to be sensitive to the needs of individuals with disabilities. The 2004 Harris Poll found that 54 percent of persons with disabilities had no savings accounts and 75 percent do not have loans with financial institutions. People with disabilities represent about one third of the 22 percent of unbanked Americans.

Florida Asset Development Summit

NDI with support from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is leading the development of sustainable relationships between the asset development and disability communities. A 2006 Summit brought together 75 key stakeholders to advance an action-oriented plan that involves policy development, public education, and demonstration activities that provides a roadmap for improved economic independence for individuals with disabilities. In 2007, NDI will provide training and technical assistance to targeted communities statewide to increase their involvement with persons with disabilities and their families and promote improved economic independence.

Financial Incentives Research

NDI with support from the National Council on Disability and NCB Capital Impact is analyzing the current public policy barriers to income preservation and asset development for Americans with disabilities. A final report will include policy recommendations to guide federal level action to improve incentive and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to advance their social and economic independence. The Report to be published by June 2007 will promote changes in tax policy to advance the concept of livable communities and savings and asset building for low-income individuals with disabilities and their families.

IDA Demonstrations

NDI with support from the Office for Community Services (OCS) and in partnership with NCB Capital Impact is piloting Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) in New Hampshire and Mississippi over four years to better understand the policy and practice challenges of asset building for individuals with disabilities who rely on a spectrum of government benefits.

Points of Light Foundation (POLF)

NDI had teamed up with POLF to provide technical assistance to 10 Volunteer Centers nationwide to increase the involvement of persons with disabilities in community service related to economic empowerment. Volunteer activities to assist other low-income wage earners include volunteer tax preparation assistance, financial education, peer mentoring credit and homeownership counseling.

Benefits Training

NDI in collaboration with multiple state agencies in Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Florida is providing training statewide to parents, self-advocates, and rehabilitation professtionals to improve their knowledge and understanding of socials security work incentives and the impact of earning more and saving on continued eligibility for these and other public benefits such as Medicaid and housing and rental assistance.

Relationship Building with the Asset Development and Disability Communities

In Ohio and North Carolina, NDI staff is developing materials to help educate persons with disabilities and their families about the choices available to participate in asset development strategies. In both states, NDI will facilitate a summit to bring critical stakeholders together in both communities to improve outreach and participation of persons with disabilities in financial education and IDA programs.

Self-Employment Project

Beginning in 2007, for the next three years, NDI will be a collaborator with the Agency for Workforce Innovation in Florida to expand opportunities to pursue self-employment by persons with disabilities.