News Post

LEAD Center Hosts Louisville Economic Advancement Assembly

In collaboration with Louisville Metro Government Community Services and Revitalization and Bank on Louisville, the LEAD Center hosted an Economic Advancement Assembly in Louisville, Ky. on May 13, bringing together individuals and service providers in the disability, employment, financial services, workforce and asset development communities to identify ways to work together to build a brighter economic future for people with disabilities in the Louisville area.

During the Assembly, National Disability Institute Executive Director Michael Morris spoke about economic and financial difficulties faced by many in the disability community and identified improvement strategies. Also, Desmond Brown, Program Specialist for the Office of Financial Empowerment at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), was on hand to discuss CFPB’s work and commitment to improving the financial health of all people living with disabilities.

Another special guest, Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), spoke to attendees about federal disability policy and his support of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act (H.R. 647/S. 313), a piece of legislation that allow families to set funds aside in a tax-advantaged savings account to be used to cover costs of health care, employment support, housing, transportation, the purchase of technology and lifelong education.

Louisville Metro Government was identified as a key partner in the LEAD Center’s effort to improve employment and economic advancement opportunities for all people with disabilities because of its commitment to improving the financial stability of Louisville residents as well as its inclusive approach to meeting the unique needs of low-income residents with and without disabilities.

In attendance from Louisville Metro Government, was Chief Community Builder Sadiqa Reynolds, and Executive Administrator for Louisville Metro Government Community Services and Revitalization/Program Administrator for Bank on Louisville Tina Lentz. Reynolds opened the day’s program and challenged participants to work together to build a more inclusive Louisville. Lintz spoke about Louisville Metro Government’s work to build a network of community services that meets the needs of residents living with disabilities and encourages them to live more financially independent lives.

At the conclusion of the Economic Advancement Assembly, event participants identified existing local and state agencies, opportunities for collaboration and avenues to improve the current support infrastructure and service delivery model for individuals living with disabilities.   

The Economic Assembly is part of the LEAD Center’s overarching goal of advancing innovative employment outcomes and greater financial stability for Americans with disabilities across the country.