Chris Blake

Chris Blake is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking and LEND. He serves as an advisor to the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)and sits on several boards. He is also on the Consumer Advisory Council of the University of Connecticut UCEDD and past member and Vice Chair of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities. He mentors young self-advocates, testifies at the legislature, and is active with People First of Connecticut. He speaks at conferences and workshops and works with Disability Rights Connecticut on Supported Decision Making. Chris constantly seeks new opportunities to improve the lives of people with disabilities in his state.

Chris believes having an ABLE account gives you more freedom and independence, and increases your ability to learn, grow and be your own person. He also thinks it is too difficult to find easy-to-understand information about setting up an ABLE account. Chris became frustrated setting up his own. This was true even on websites that were supposed to help people learn about and set up their own accounts. Chris’ project will create tools to make the process of setting up an ABLE account easier and more accessible. The tools will give more people information they can use to choose the best options for themselves and guide them to better understand their account. He hopes many self advocates will use this important resource to achieve better lives..