Disability Community Page

We remain committed to creating a disability-inclusive environment for our customers and their employees. From digital accessibility programs and American Sign Language interpreters to accounts for disability-related expenses, Fidelity offers a range of support for diverse needs.

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

In the US, up to 1 in 4 adults have some type of disability.¹ However, not all disabilities are visible—70% are invisible. While the Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, helped increase disability representation in the workforce,² there are still challenges and unique planning considerations that arise for the disability community. A report published in partnership with the National Disability Institute and The Harkin Institute found that people with disabilities are far less likely to be financially healthy than people without disabilities.³

What this means for employers

Between February 2020 and August 2023, the number of employed Americans with disabilities soared by 33%.⁴ Flexible work environments during the pandemic, as well as factors like advancements in technology, have contributed to the surge in disability participation in the workforce.⁵ Now there’s a greater need for financial education. By recognizing and addressing the complex challenges faced by your team members with visible and invisible disabilities, you can help them feel more confident about their financial well-being and get on the path toward reaching their money goals.

The “disability tax”

An extra $17,690: that’s the additional income needed on average by households that have an individual with a disability to maintain a similar standard of living to those without.⁶ Expenses including health care, home and vehicle modifications, adaptive equipment (e.g., wheelchairs), and assistive technology (e.g., screen readers) can leave many feeling stretched thin while trying to juggle other money priorities. Other indirect costs also play a role, with an increase in care needs or medical leave leading to a loss of household wages.

People with disabilities are almost 3 times more likely to have extreme difficulty paying bills.⁴ You can help by providing accessible and relevant resources that can help them navigate benefits options and plan for the future. For instance, specialized accounts like ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities and their families to save in a tax-advantaged account while keeping benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. There are also other Fidelity experiences, like Fidelity Goal Booster^SM, that can guide them on the path toward achieving short-term goals, such as building emergency savings.

EVERGREEN & AWARENESS MONTH TOOLKITS

Download and use the following materials to drive awareness and engagement with your team.

Disability Pride Month Tools	Evergreen Tools
Digital Sign (JPG)	Digital Sign (JPG)
Digital Sign (PPT)	Digital Sign (PPT)
Digital Poster (printable)	Digital Poster (printable)
Newsletter Content (DOC)	Newsletter Content (DOC)
Employee Email (OFT)	Employee Email (OFT)
Employee Email (DOC)	Employee Email (DOC)

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Empowering your organization through disability inclusion

DISABILITY COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR PARTICIPANTS

Support your team members with disabilities even more. Find videos, info about accessible services, and articles to help your employees navigate the realities and expenses of living with a disability while feeling more confident about making the most of their money.

Fidelity.com/DisabilityCommunityResources

In proud collaboration with Disability:IN Fidelity is dedicated to advancing disability inclusion and helping everyone be as effective as they can be. From accessible customer support to productivity tools that help employees, find out how we deliver on our commitment.

References:

1. “Disability Impacts All of Us Infographic,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026.
2. Center for Disease Control: 40 Eye Opening Disability Statistics to know in 2024.
3. https://finhealthnetwork.org/research/the-financial-health-of-people-with-disabilities/.
4. https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/finra-infographic.pdf.
5. “Career Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities Are on the Rise Following the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Progressive Policy Institute, 11/28/2023.
6. “The Extra Costs of Living with a Disability in the U.S.—Resetting the Policy Table,” National Disability Institute, October, 2020.