Abilicorp 2019

Abilicorp

2019

Vision:

Everyone, including people with disabilities, should have the skills, products, and services they need to work to the best of their abilities.

Mission:

Abilicorp mission is to initiate and promote new companies and programs that provide financial advice and management enabling people to work and reap the stability and rewards that come with earning an income.

Background:

Neil Jacobson, founder, and CEO of Abilicorp retired in 2008 as a Wells Fargo Sr. Vice President after working in their IT area for more than 29 years. Neil has significant disabilities caused by Cerebral Palsy. He has been active in the Disability Movement all through his life focused primarily on improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The U.S. federal government spends more than $100 million annually trying to improve the economic condition of people with disabilities and their families. Wonderful laws such as the Americans with Disability Act that have significantly improved the lives of people with disabilities. Many agencies work extremely hard trying to get people with disabilities jobs. Despite all this, the unemployment rate for this cohort remains relatively unchanged from the 1960s. More than 70% still live below the poverty level. (see The Need for a New Business Model)

The underlying cause for this lack of economic improvements is that people with disabilities are not receiving the skills, products, and services they need. Many public and private agencies run programs designed to provide these necessities. They are tough to find. Qualifying for them can be challenging. The interrelationships between the programs are often extremely complex.

The gig economy is now compounding these problems. In the gig economy, every independent worker must learn how not to feel isolated. Often finding themselves alone in front of a computer or smartphones they must learn to find mentors to help guide them. They must create their own daily structures. With no training or experience, they are expected to do things such as pay taxes, save for retirement, pay for healthcare, save for sick days and vacation days. People with disabilities must also learn how working for themselves will affect their ability to pay for long-term medical expenses including personal assistant services, durable medical equipment, long-term therapies, and maintenance drugs. Perhaps most importantly, independent workers must learn how to market their products and services effectively. (see The Gig Economy)

What does Abilicorp provide?

1. Financial advice for independent workers
2. Development consultation of disability-related financial management tools
3. Promotion of Disabled Owned Business Enterprises

What Businesses Should Be Started?

1. Financial Management for GIG Workers
2. Financial Management of Disability-Related Expenses
3. Remote Assistance
4. Your Legacy
5. Archiving
6. Creating Audio Books for Authors

Blogs will be written describing these and other exciting initiatives. These services and businesses will be owned, managed, and delivered by self-employed people with disabilities and Disabled Owned Business Enterprises. Please let me know if you or anyone you know may be interested in investing and/or managing any of these endeavors.