CalABLE, a savings and investment program for people with disabilities administered by the California State Treasurer’s Office, recently announced its 2026 Ambassador Class—a group of individuals who represent and advocate for California’s diverse disability community. Serving as extensions of the CalABLE team, ambassadors help promote financial independence, education, and an improved quality of life for people with disabilities across age, disability type, race, gender, and geography.

The new class of ambassadors joins the program as it reaches a major milestone: $250 million in total savings, reflecting strong participation and growing confidence among Californians with disabilities and their families.

“At a time when critical disability funds are being cut across the nation, California is dedicated to putting equity and respect at the center of our public investments,” said California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, who administers the CalABLE program. “Financial inclusion is not just a policy goal; California’s economy is at its strongest when everyone can participate. Our 2026 ambassadors reflect the immense diversity of California’s disability community and will help ensure others understand how CalABLE can support greater financial independence.”

CalABLE provides people with disabilities a tax-advantaged way to save for qualified disability-related expenses, including housing, healthcare, assistive technology, education, transportation, and employment support, while protecting eligibility for means-tested public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The ambassadors have shared their wide range of lived experiences in a new video series, highlighting personal stories as well as the benefits and the recent expansion of ABLE savings accounts. In January 2026, CalABLE eligibility expanded to include Californians whose disabilities began between the ages of 26 and 45, the largest increase in access since CalABLE launched.

CalABLE Ambassador Julienne Dallara, a disability advocate and accessibility consultant said the recent eligibility age increase reflects the reality that disability can occur at any stage of life.

“This expansion opens the door for people who were previously excluded, like me,” said Dallara. “Now we can save for our future without fear of losing our critical benefits. Disability doesn’t follow a timeline; it is different for everyone. By adjusting the financial systems to be more inclusive, now CalAble can serve so many more people!” 

For Californians who do not receive public benefits, CalABLE also offers a flexible, tax-advantaged savings and investment option with professionally managed investment choices to support long-term financial planning.

To view Julienne’s CalABLE Ambassador video, visit https://bit.ly/CalABLEAmbassadors2026. For more information about CalABLE and eligibility requirements, visit https://calable.ca.gov/.