National Disability Institute

05/14/2026

Join us for a special event live in Los Angeles on Global Accessibility Awareness Day!

Verizon is bringing together business owners, advocates and tech leaders to explore how accessible technology can open doors for small businesses and the communities they serve.

Featuring Thomas Foley, Executive Director of the National Disability Institute.

This is a free, in-person event — don't miss it!
Register Now: https://bit.ly/4nuhgwM



Image description: Promotional flyer for a live event titled 'How Accessible Technology Can Help Support Small Business — A Global Accessibility Awareness Day Celebration.' Hosted by Verizon, partnering with National Disability Institute. Features a headshot of Thomas Foley, NDI Executive Director. Event details: Thursday, May 21, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Verizon Innovation Lab, Los Angeles, CA. Includes a teal 'Register Now!' button

05/13/2026

For Edward, getting in his vehicle and "being able to go" is the best part of his day.

NDI is committed to helping people with disabilities access the transportation and assistive technology they need to live and work independently.

Learn more about funding, purchasing and modifying your own accessible vehicle through grants, Alternative Finance Programs (AFPs) and ABLE accounts at https://bit.ly/4toDNMH.

05/12/2026

Ron drove more than 300,000 miles after a life-changing spinal injury. When his condition changed, he thought his driving days were over. But with new technology and support, he found his way back on the road. His story is a powerful reminder that access to adaptive vehicles and assistive technology can open doors to independence, employment and community.

Discover NDI resources for accessible vehicles: https://bit.ly/4usrcJo

Image description: Carousel with teal graphics and white text titled “Ron’s Accessible Vehicle Story.” Slides describe Ron’s experience after being paralyzed at C4–C6 at age 20, driving more than 300,000 miles, later transitioning to using a power wheelchair and paratransit, and eventually returning to driving with a modified van and assistive technology. The story concludes with his retirement from driving and continued use of the vehicle for transportation.

05/11/2026

Financial stress doesn’t stay in your wallet. It affects your mental health.

Money is one of the leading contributors to anxiety for adults in the U.S. For people with disabilities, financial challenges are often compounded by systemic barriers and added costs.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Small steps can make a difference.

NDI’s Financial Resilience Center offers tools and resources to help reduce financial stress and build stability.

Explore the Financial Resilience Center:
https://bit.ly/4nh2nxO

Image description: Four white graphics with teal borders and teal and black text. (First) A graphic with the NDI Financial Resilience Center logo reads, “May is Mental Health Awareness Month.” An illustration shows a person holding their head, surrounded by symbols representing stress. A banner reads, “Financial stress is one of the leading contributors to anxiety for adults in the U.S.”

(Second) A text slide explains that financial stress affects more than your wallet and impacts mental health, especially for people with disabilities. It lists signs of stress including trouble sleeping, constant worry and feeling overwhelmed, and ends with “You are not alone.”

(Third) A slide titled “Feeling overwhelmed? Start small.” shares six tips, including tracking one expense, setting a small goal, setting aside time to check finances, focusing on one task, talking to someone you trust and focusing on what you can control.

(Fourth) A slide invites viewers to explore the Financial Resilience Center, described as an online hub to help people with disabilities and chronic health conditions build financial resilience. A website link is included.

05/08/2026

Building a business comes with challenges, especially when navigating disability, benefits and workforce systems.

For Emily Kester, support from the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) has been a critical part of her success. Through guidance, c***ections and ongoing resources, ADEN has helped her strengthen and grow her business over the past five years.

“They’ve been there to answer my questions, offer guidance and c***ect me with other professionals doing the same work.”

Learn more about how ADEN supports professionals and entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/4nljP47

05/07/2026

Access to transportation shouldn’t be a barrier to opportunity.

Nathan shares how opening an ABLE account helped him save for an accessible vehicle and changed his life.

From limited access to health care and employment to a full-time career in public service, Nate’s story shows what’s possible with the right tools and support.

Watch his story and learn more:
https://bit.ly/3PiFbTb

05/05/2026

An accessible vehicle can open doors. Doors to independence, opportunity and community.

In this video, Edward shares how the right support helped him regain mobility and freedom. Learn about the resources available to fund, purchase and modify an accessible vehicle, including grants, Alternative Finance Programs and ABLE accounts.

Watch his story and explore what’s possible.

An accessible vehicle helps Edward regain a sense of independence and, in his words, “opens the doorways for you to go!”Learn about Edward’s journey and expl...

05/02/2026

Welcome to ADEN, Leadership Lab!

The American Dream Employment Network (ADEN), a division of NDI, c***ects providers across the country to expand access to employment services for people with disabilities.

Through training, technical assistance and collaboration, ADEN supports organizations in delivering high-quality services through the Ticket to Work program.

Learn more: AmericanDreamEN.org

Image description: A three-slide graphic announces a new member joining ADEN, a division of the National Disability Institute. The first slide features the NDI ADEN logo and the text “Welcome to ADEN” above a circular “Leadership Lab” graphic with a lightbulb icon. The second slide explains that ADEN is a solution-oriented Employment Network model that provides training and technical assistance to service providers supporting Social Security disability beneficiaries through the Ticket to Work program. The third slide includes a QR code and the text “Learn more at AmericanDreamEN.org.”

05/01/2026

Join us this May for events focused on financial wellness and small business support.

On May 6, learn about the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN) and how ADEN offers no-cost support for employment networks. Register: bit.ly/ADENMay6-FB

On May 20, learn what small business owners need to know about insurance, including risk management, coverage options and common mistakes to avoid. Register: bit.ly/SBMay20-FB

On May 21, recognize Global Accessibility Awareness Day and the importance of inclusive digital and financial spaces.

Image description: Four teal and blue graphics. (First) A photo shows a smiling family of three outdoors: a young child smiling at the camera while being held by two adults who are looking at her. Overlaid text reads “May Events,” along with the National Disability Institute logo, noting Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and Arthritis & Lupus Awareness Month.

(Second) A teal graphic titled “May Events” lists upcoming dates: May 6 at 1:30 pm, "Introduction to the American Dream Employment Network," May 20 at 2:00 p.m., “What Small Business Owners Need to Know About Insurance,” and May 21, “Global Accessibility Awareness Day.”

(Third) Promotional graphic for a live webinar titled “Introduction to the American Dream Employment Network (ADEN).” A smiling woman wearing headphones writes in a notebook at a desk with a laptop. Text highlights include: “No-cost support through ADEN,” “Tools and assistance to strengthen services,” and “Streamlined case management with a secure portal.” The webinar is scheduled for May 6 at 1:30 p.m. ET. A short link, bit.ly/ADENMay6-FB, and a QR code are provided for registration. NDI ADEN logo appears at the bottom.

(Fourth) A promotional graphic shows a smiling professional holding a tablet. Text reads “What Small Business Owners Need to Know About Insurance.” It lists topics including commercial insurance basics, home-based business risks, cyber and flood coverage, working with agents, and coverage gaps and mistakes. The event is scheduled for May 20 at 2:00 p.m. ET and includes a registration link, bit.ly/SBMay20-FB, and a QR code.

04/30/2026

Alan’s experience shows how accessible vehicles can support independence, family life and long-distance travel.

From adaptive driving controls to advanced driver assistance systems, accessible vehicle design is evolving.

Accessible transportation is not just about getting from point A to point B. It is about safety, flexibility and full participation in daily life.

Learn more about accessible vehicles and assistive technology:
https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/financial-wellness/accessible-vehicles-and-assistive-technology/

04/29/2026

As Financial Literacy Month comes to a close, the work to advance financial inclusion continues. Financial literacy is more than a skill. For many people with disabilities, it is a pathway to independence, access and dignity.

In our latest staff blog, Becky MacDicken, NDI’s director of financial empowerment, shares why Financial Literacy Month matters and how systems can better support financial inclusion.

Read more: https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/blog/why-financial-literacy-month-matters/

Image description: A teal graphic from the National Disability Institute’s Financial Resilience Center features the headline: “Staff Blog: Why Financial Literacy Month Matters — Especially for the Disability Community.” The blog is authored by Becky MacDicken, NDI director of financial empowerment. A short excerpt explains that financial literacy is more than a skill for people with disabilities; it represents autonomy, access and dignity, and highlights how systems often make financial navigation more complex than necessary. A headshot of a smiling woman with short red hair wearing a black blazer appears on the right.