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Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss ABLE accounts with Kelly Nelson. They talk about how ABLE accounts are a financial tool allowing families to save money for individuals with disabilities without affecting their eligibility for other benefits like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and/or Medicaid. ABLE accounts can hold up to $100,000 without jeopardizing benefits. They also cover how accounts can be opened online, the criteria for qualifying for an account and how ABLE accounts can be used for expenses related to health, independence, and quality of life (including vacations). Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
ABLE accounts, disability support, financial stability, personal choice, independence, asset protection, Social Security, SSI benefits, Medicaid, special needs trust, 529 rollover, quality of life, authorized legal representative, eligibility criteria, transition process

Links:
ABLE National Resource Center (site)
Social Security (site)
SSI (site)
Medicaid (site)
ABLE Age Adjustment Act (page)
ALR (Authorized Legal Representative) (page)
Guardianship (page)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Maryland ABLE.org (site)

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

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Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) sit down with advocate Martha Goodman, creator of the MEIRA (Maryland Education Information Resources and Advocacy) Planning Tool, to discuss how her work supports families navigating the complexities of the transition process. Martha shares her background, her dedication to education advocacy, and how her experience as a mother of a child with down syndrome has shaped her mission. Martha also opens up about her daughter’s transition journey, from volunteering in Israel to exploring employment & continued education amid the challenges created by funding gaps. She also offers insight into upcoming resource expansions and future developments. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
transition process, students with disabilities, DDA application, Pre-ETS, funding issues, political advocacy, transitioning youth, CCBC program, literacy classes, child care assistant, reading level, parental advocacy

LInks:
Developmental Disabilities (DD) Agency (page)
DD Agency Locator (site)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
MEIRA Planning Tool (site)
Disability Rights MD (site)
Community College of Baltimore County Single Step Academic Preparation (site)

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) continue their discussion with Martha Goodman, an advocate who has created the MEIRA (Maryland Education Information Resources And Advocacy) Planning Tool. This part of the conversation highlights the uncertainty caused by funding gaps, and the impact that can have on families. Martha also shares her daughter's transition journey, including volunteering in Israel, the complexity of employment and pursuing continued education. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
DDA application, Pre-ETS, funding issues, political advocacy, transitioning youth, CCBC program, literacy classes, child care assistant, Postsecondary Transition, reading level, parental advocacy, transition process.

Links:
Developmental Disabilities (DD) Agency (page)
DD Agency Locator (site)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
MEIRA Planning Tool (site)
Disability Rights MD (site)
Community College of Baltimore County Single Step Academic Preparation (site)

Quick Note to Listeners: there was a connection problem during the second part of our conversation with Martha which caused a breakdown in the quality of the recorded audio. We were hoping to be able to save some of it, but the bits and pieces that were clear to understand just made no sense when they were edited together. We did let Martha know and we plan to rectify it by bringing her back again for another great discussion (that we plan to capture in its' entirety 😉).

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.