ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save money that is not counted towards asset limitations set by means-tested benefit programs such as Medicaid or SSI. Tune in to learn how you and your family can utilize an ABLE account to increase financial freedom and feel empowered to save, spend, and invest in your future.

Speaker Bio: Sara Hart Weir is a national disability leader, federal and state policy expert and proud Kansan. Weir has been working in the disability community for over two decades. Weir’s passion was inspired by Kasey, her late best friend of twenty years from Kansas who had Down syndrome. Early in her career, Sara quickly realized that the disability community did not have high-powered lobbyists, wealthy corporations or influential political action committees working for them, she went on to change that, and continues to dedicate her career and service to allow everyone to have a fair shot at the “American Dream” by promoting solutions that give all Americans with disabilities access to a better life. 

Since 2022, Weir has served as the Executive Director of the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD) where she leads the statewide organization dedicated to improving the lifes of Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) throughout every corner of the sunflower state. Weir has transformed KCDD into the most well-respected disability organization in Kansas’ State Capitol fighting to eliminate the state’s historic 10-year IDD Home & Community based services (HCBS) waitlist.

Early in her career,  Weir joined the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) as the Vice President of its National Advocacy & Policy Center and oversaw the Down syndrome community’s advocacy and policy agenda in Washington, DC and in state capitals across the country. In 2014, Weir was named the President & CEO of NDSS until 2019 when she stepped down to run for US’ Congress. During her tenure at NDSS, Weir led the bipartisan national advocacy coalition and strategy on the passage of the landmark Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014. Weir secured over 85% of the entire US Congress’ cosponsorship on the ABLE Act which included 381 of 435 US Reps. and 78 of 100 US Sens. The ABLE Act is hailed as the most significant disability rights bill since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which established private sector, tax-free savings accounts that allow Americans to save and invest their own money (not government handouts) for the future. Subsequently, Weir led the advocacy effort to pass 47 state ABLE laws in approximately four years; and helped launch each state ABLE program with state treasurer across the country. Weir worked with Republican Leadership in 2017 to enact the two key disability provisions in President Trump’s Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (specifically the ABLE to Work Act and ABLE Financial Planning Act). To date, over 47 states have launched ABLE programs and assets under management in private sector ABLE accounts have grown over $2 billion in only years.

Weir was the Congressional Primary Runner Up in Kansas Third District’s (KS-3) 2020 five-way primary. Weir has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Leadership from Westminster College and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College.