“Our survey showed that whether people had an MS diagnosis early or later in life, there is a critical lack of information to help people with MS understand how to manage their money, plan for their financial futures, access favorable tax provisions, effectively utilize public benefits and keep working”In 2011, NDI completed an online survey of 3,000 people living with MS. Sixty-seven percent of respondents reported that their financial positions declined after their MS diagnosis, while nearly 74 percent reported that they did not use financial planning programs or strategies to manage or stabilize their finances.
“Our survey showed that whether people had an MS diagnosis early or later in life, there is a critical lack of information to help people with MS understand how to manage their money, plan for their financial futures, access favorable tax provisions, effectively utilize public benefits and keep working,” said Michael Morris, National Disability Institute’s Executive Director. “But there are many easy-to-use financial strategies and programs that can help people with MS achieve these goals, and the experts who lead each webinar will show them how to take steps toward greater economic independence and self-sufficiency.”
The webinar series will include six free online programs, each beginning at 3pm ET and lasting 90 minutes:
- September 5, 2012 - Being Money Smart
- September 26, 2012 - Prolonging Work - Supports To Keep You On The Job
- October 17, 2012 - Social Security Disability Insurance – The Impact of Work on Benefits
- November 7, 2012 - Supplemental Security Income – The Impact of Work on Benefits
- November 28, 2012 - Favorable Tax Provisions for Individuals with Disabilities
- December 19, 2012 - Saving and Investing – For Workers and For Individuals on Public Benefits
The series is part of National Disability Institute’s Real Economic Impact (REI) Tour, an eight-year movement of more than 850 organizations in 100 cities across America that has helped more than 1.5 million people with disabilities take steps out poverty through access to financial education, asset building programs and free volunteer income tax assistance generating more than $1.3 billion in tax refunds.
“We at Acorda are very pleased to be sponsoring this groundbreaking educational webinar series for people living with MS, who often face financial challenges related to their disability and lack information that can help them protect their financial futures,” said Ron Cohen, M.D., president and CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. “Acorda’s corporate mission is to improve the lives of people affected by neurological diseases. While our focus is on developing therapies, support for programs on overall wellness, including financial and other topics, is also an important part of fulfilling this mission.”
About National Disability Institute
National Disability Institute (NDI) is national non-profit organization dedicated to building a better economic future for people with disabilities. The first national organization committed exclusively to championing economic empowerment, financial education, asset development and financial stability for all persons with disabilities, National Disability Institute effects change through public education, policy development, training, technical assistance and innovative initiatives such as the Real Economic Impact (REI) Tour, which brings tax and financial education for people with disabilities to more than 100 cities nationwide. Since 2005, the REI Tour has helped more than 1.5 million people with disabilities receive more than $1.3 billion in tax refunds.
About Acorda Therapeutics
Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with MS, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.
Acorda markets AMPYRA(R) (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg, in the United States as a treatment to improve walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This was demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. AMPYRA is marketed outside the United States as FAMPYRA(R) (prolonged-release fampridine tablets) by Biogen Idec under a licensing agreement from Acorda. AMPYRA and FAMPYRA are manufactured under license from Alkermes Pharma Ireland Limited.
The Company also markets ZANAFLEX CAPSULES(R) (tizanidine hydrochloride) and ZANAFLEX(R) (tizanidine hydrochloride) tablets, a short-acting drug for the management of spasticity. Acorda also receives sales royalties on tizanidine hydrochloride tablets, an authorized generic version of ZANAFLEX CAPSULES distributed by Watson Pharmaceutics, Inc. under its agreement with Acorda.
Acorda is developing an industry-leading pipeline of novel neurological therapies. The Company is studying AMPYRA to improve a range of functional impairments caused by MS, as well as its use in other neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy and chronic stroke. In addition, Acorda is developing clinical stage compounds AC105 for acute treatment of spinal cord injury and GGF2 for treatment of heart failure. GGF2 is also being investigated in preclinical studies as a treatment for neurological conditions such as stroke and spinal cord injury. Additional preclinical programs include rHIgM22, a remyelinating monoclonal antibody for the treatment of MS, and chondroitinase, an enzyme that encourages nerve plasticity in spinal cord injury
