New book, Thriving While Disabled: Navigating Disability Finances, gives people living with disabilities tools for life

Middletown, New Jersey Jan 9, 2026 (EMWNews.com) – People often do not identify as disabled and there can be shame heaped onto this identity, despite 27% of the US population having one or more disabilities. Author Alison Hayes shows people with disabilities how to overcome such obstacles and create a better life while managing their disability.

At age 22, Alison was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). She successfully navigated social welfare programs that were necessary for her to survive the low income of being too disabled to work. 

She gained a Masters Degree in Organizational Change Management, which honed her awareness of cultural biases. Structural ableism pervades not only American systems but is a global issue. 

She created her business, Thriving While Disabled, along with a blog and coaching services. The blog focuses on systemic injustice, ableism, Social Security, and programs like SNAP and LIHEAP, and other financial resources. 

Her book, Thriving While Disabled: Navigating Disability Finances, launches on Saturday, April 12, 2025 – FND Awareness Day is one day later on Sunday, April 13. 

Alison’s mantra is: “The system is broken, but we deserve to thrive anyway.”

This book teaches the reader:

• What ableism is and how it impacts their life and finances
• What social welfare programs are available, how to apply, and why the process hurts so much!
• To understand the relationship between disability and employment, and how to protect rights
• The unique risks and benefits that accompany having a disability while hitting life milestones
• How to anticipate and minimize medical debt while protecting their credit history and much more!

She explains how to understand US rights and protections, as well as housing, employment, benefits, health insurance,and  transportation. She also explores life milestones such as the right to exist, marriage, education, taxes, having children, banking decisions, protecting credit scores, and understanding ABLE accounts. 

Alison is American and designed the book to focus on US systems while still being globally useful. It will help overseas readers know where to look to find similar support in their country. 

Life is more expensive with a disability, not only financially, but also in terms of energy, emotional costs, and social stigma. Alison’s book helps people recognize the true costs and provides tools to help readers thrive. 

Links for book preorders

Hardcover or paperback: https://bit.ly/403wAFt

Kindle: https://amzn.to/4iJxBuQ

“I’ve lived this journey,” Alison shares, “and I know I had various privileges helping me through. I want to help others have an easier time than I did. My mantra is that it’s the system that’s broken, it’s not the fault of those of us who participate in it. Knowing that helps reduce the self-hatred, self-blame, and feelings of failure or inadequacy that those of us with disabilities too often deal with.”