In 2011, Acorda Therapuetics, a leader in pharmaceuticals for nervous system disorders, teamed up with National Disability Institute and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, to sponsor a Financial Wellness webinar series and survey of people living with Multiple Scleroris (MS). The survey results uncovered major areas of need for those living with MS, regarding financial wellness and common financial practices and helped shaped the content of the Financial Wellness Webinar series.

As a result of the survey, we learned:

• 67 percent of respondents reported their financial lives are worse after MS diagnosis.
• 79 percent have difficulty meeting monthly expenses.
• More than half of respondents worry that earnings or savings will negatively impact public benefits.
• More than half have no trusted point of contact for financial information or rely on family for advice.
• Nearly 74 percent were neither aware of nor had used available financial stabilization programs.
• 61 percent reported an annual household income under $50,000.

This fall, join National Disability Institute for a second webinar series sponsored by Acorda, featuring six (6) 90-minute webinars on important financial wellness topics for persons with disabilities.

The US Department of Treasury reports that a lack of financial literacy is one barrier that can lower standards of living and limit prosperity. There are opportunities online and in your community to support you in Being Money Smart.

Join us on 9-5-12 to learn about:

• Free financial education opportunities that you can attend online or in your community.
• The benefits of Financial Literacy and how increasing your knowledge may increase your Financial Wellness.
• Online financial literacy games you can play and share with others.

View a recording of the "Being Money Smart" Webinar

View the live captioning transcript for "Being Money Smart"

Download the "Being Money Smart" slides

Prolonging Work - Supports To Keep You On The Job, September 26, 2012
3:00 - 4:30 P.M. EST

Making the decision to decrease or end employment can become confusing as factors such as health, insurance, productivity and financial stability brush against each other. Your employer and disability insurance provider may have more support to offer than you think. REGISTER FOR "Prolonging Work - Supports to Keep You On The Job"

Join us on 9-26-12 to learn about:

• Creating your vision for working and managing a disability
• Strategies to protect your productivity
• How to define gaps in functionality
• Understanding what your private disability insurance can provide

Individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may want to return to work but are worried about the impact of work on public benefits. With good information you can make the choice to work and you may still keep some or all of your cash and health benefits.

Join us on 10-17-12 to learn about:

• Eligibility for SSDI eligibility
• How earnings affect SSDI eligibility
• Work Incentives that help you earn more while maintaining eligibility
• Where to turn in your local community for support

View a recording of the "Social Security Disability Insurance – The Impact of Work on Benefits"

View the live captioning transcript for "Social Security Disability Insurance – The Impact of Work on Benefits"

Download the "Social Security Disability Insurance – The Impact of Work on Benefits" slides

Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may want to return to work but are worried about the impact of work on public benefits. With good information you can make the choice to work and you may still keep some or all of your cash and health benefits.

Join us on 11-7-12 to learn about:

• Eligibility for SSI
• How earnings affect SSI eligibility
• Work Incentives that help you earn more and keep more of your cash benefit
• Where to turn in your local community for support

View a recording of the "Supplemental Security Income – The Impact of Work on Benefits"

View the live captioning transcript for "Supplemental Security Income – The Impact of Work on Benefits"

Download the "Supplemental Security Income – The Impact of Work on Benefits" slides

The Earned Income Tax Credit is the most effective anti-poverty measure in America, lifting 5.4 million above the poverty line in 2010. Research notes that the EITC it still underutilized by individuals with disabilities.

Join us on 11-28-12 to learn about:

• Eligibility for the EITC
• The impact of EITC on public benefits
• Resources to get your taxes done for free

View the live captioning transcript for "Favorable Tax Provisions for Individuals with Disabilitiess"

Download the "Favorable Tax Provisions for Individuals with Disabilities" slides

Tools for individuals with financial needs are available in every community but frequently go under-utilized by individuals with disabilities particularly those with hidden disabilities. Tapping into available services and exploring ways to save and invest are great ways to increase your financial wellness through savings.

Join us on 12-19-12 to learn about:

• Employer-sponsored retirement programs
• Community based matched savings programs
• The benefits of matched savings programs
• Where to turn for good investment advice

View a recording of "Saving and Investing"

View the live captioning transcript from "Saving and Investing"

Download the "Saving and Investing" slides

Please see the links below to access the inaugural Financial Wellness webinar series designed for persons with MS.

Being Money Smart

Working Towards Financial Wellness

Get Out There and Flex Your Financial Muscles

Invest in Yourself