RICHMOND, Va.—Fans tuning in to season 3 of A&E’s Emmy award-winning docuseries Born This Way will learn about a brand new program that’s helping people with disabilities achieve financial independence. The ABLEnow savings program will appear periodically throughout the new season, which starts with back-to-back, hour-long episodes this Tuesday, May 16 at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET/PT.

“We’re honored to partner with A&E’s Born This Way to spread the word about ABLEnow and focus on ability instead of disability,” said Mary Morris, CEO of Virginia529, the agency that administers ABLEnow. “Our ABLEnow program empowers people to increase their independence, improve their financial security and achieve a better quality of life. We share this passion with A&E, which gives a voice to people with disabilities, their families and advocates through this uplifting series.”

“Having worked closely with the cast of Born This Way over the course of three seasons, we have seen first-hand the need for ABLE savings accounts,” said David DeSocio, SVP Ad Sales Marketing and Partnerships at A+E Networks. “We couldn’t be more proud of this collaboration which showcases how the new ABLEnow program positively impacts the quality of life for people with disabilities, their families and their communities.”

A 60-second spot introducing ABLEnow and featuring CEO Mary Morris will run on A&E during the show’s May 16 and May 30 episodes. Later in the season, ABLEnow will take a starring role when a Born This Way cast member considers opening an ABLEnow account to help save for the future and live as independently as possible. The partnership between A&E and ABLEnow also includes online and social media promotion to increase national awareness of this new tax and benefits-advantaged savings option for individuals with disabilities.

Winner of the 2016 Emmy Award for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program, Born This Way follows a group of seven young adults born with Down syndrome as they pursue their passions and lifelong dreams, explore friendships, romantic relationships and work, all while defying society’s expectations. Born This Way is produced by Bunim/Murray Productions. 

With accounts in all 50 states, ABLEnow is the fastest-growing ABLE savings program in the country since it opened for enrollment in December 2016. Virginia was among the first states in the country to offer an ABLE program.

ABLEnow provides people with disabilities and their families the opportunity to gather resources for today’s needs or invest for tomorrow. These simple, affordable and tax-advantaged accounts allow eligible individuals to contribute up to $14,000 a year without endangering eligibility for most means-tested benefit programs, including Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The program is administered by Virginia529, the nation’s largest college savings plan with an expanded mission to assist individuals with disabilities expand their potential and enhance their life experience.

To learn more and open an ABLEnow account, visit able-now.com.

 

About Virginia529

In December 2016, with an expanded mission, Virginia529 launched ABLEnow®, a national ABLE savings program for eligible individuals living with disabilities. Call 1-844-NOW-ABLE or visit able-now.com to obtain information on the program.

For twenty years, Virginia529 has made higher education more accessible and affordable for families and individuals. With more than $62 billion in assets under management and over 2.5 million accounts as of March 31, 2017, Virginia529 is the largest 529 plan in the country with three tax-advantaged programs—Prepaid529SM, Invest529SM and CollegeAmerica®—and early commitment scholarship program SOAR Virginia® assisting students of any age to reach their higher education goals. For more information on Virginia529’s college savings options, visit Virginia529.com or call 1-888-567-0540 to obtain program materials.

We encourage you to seek the advice of a professional concerning any financial, tax, legal or federal or state benefit implications related to opening and maintaining either a college savings or an ABLE account. Participating in these programs involve investment risk including the possible loss of principal. For non-Virginia residents: other states may sponsor a college savings or ABLE plan offering state tax or other benefits not available through our programs. © 2017 Virginia529. All Rights Reserved.

 

About A&E Network

A&E leads the cultural conversation through high-quality, thought provoking original programming with a unique point of view. Whether it’s the network’s distinctive brand of award-winning disruptive reality, groundbreaking documentary, or premium scripted drama, A&E always makes entertainment an art.  The A&E website is located at aetv.com.  Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV.  For more press information and photography please visit us at press.aenetworks.com.

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Media Contacts:

ABLEnow
Sarah Pennington
804-225-2692
media@able-now.com

A+E Networks
Mead Rust
212-551-1534
mead.rust@aenetworks.com