White Cane Awareness Day is October 15th

ABLE Accounts and More Resources for the Blind

What is White Cane Awareness Day?

White Cane Awareness Day, celebrated annually on October 15, highlights the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence for blind individuals. The white cane allows users to navigate their surroundings safely and confidently, promoting full participation in everyday life.

Organized by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), this day educates the public on the significance of the white cane and encourages local activities like walks, events, and proclamations. It also offers tips for how others can interact with white cane users. Historically, White Cane Safety Day was established by Congress in 1964, but the focus has since shifted from safety to independence.

In addition to raising awareness, White Cane Awareness Day encourages local governments to issue proclamations and support educational initiatives. Communities can get involved by organizing events such as white cane walks or film screenings, which help foster understanding and inclusion. The NFB offers resources like brochures and Braille alphabet cards to support these efforts. By using the hashtag #BlindMonth on social media, individuals can further spread awareness and show support for the blind community’s pursuit of independence and equality.

To learn more, visit the National Federation of the Blind website.

ABLE accounts – Tax Benefit for People with Disabilities

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 allows people with disabilities to save money in tax-advantaged ABLE accounts to pay for qualified disability expenses. These accounts, known as 529A accounts, allow for tax-free distributions when used for expenses like education, housing, transportation, healthcare, and assistive technology. To be eligible, individuals must have a disability that qualifies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or they must be blind, with blindness occurring before age 26.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 increased the contribution limits for ABLE accounts, allowing designated beneficiaries who work to contribute more than the annual $15,000 limit (the 2018 gift tax exclusion) up to the poverty line for a one-person household. However, these additional contributions cannot be made if the beneficiary’s employer is contributing to specific retirement accounts, such as a 401(a) or 457(b) plan. The act also permits rollovers from a 529 tuition program to an ABLE account within set limits.

Medicaid payback provisions may apply to ABLE accounts, allowing states to request reimbursement for Medicaid expenses from the funds in the account. SSI benefits are protected up to $100,000 in an ABLE account, but exceeding this amount may lead to a temporary suspension of SSI cash benefits. ABLE accounts provide a valuable financial tool for individuals with disabilities to save and manage funds for essential needs while retaining access to critical benefits like Medicaid and SSI.

To learn more, read the article ABLE Accounts: Empowering People with Disabilities on the American Bar Association website.

Additional Resources

Here are some links to websites and apps that provide key resources for the blind.

  1. The National Federation of the Blind | https://nfb.org/
  2. American Council of the Blind | https://www.acb.org/
  3. io app | https://aira.io/aira-app/
  4. Be My Eyes app | https://www.bemyeyes.com/
  5. Lainey Feingold Legal Disability Cases Updates | https://www.lflegal.com/category/accessibility-laws-and-regulations/legal-updates/
  6. Braille e-Reader (The National Library Service for the Blind & Print Disables) | https://www.loc.gov/nls/
  7. ABLE National Resource Center | https://www.ablenrc.org/

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