Using data from Exceptional Parent , Sullivan determined that there were about 14 million families with children with severe disabilities, potential beneficiaries of such a planning process. Working closely with Rick Berkobian, Assistant Director of The Arc , Sullivan crafted a five-point plan for Merrill Lynch. The plan is also available for severely disabled adults, or for anyone who needs this type of planning. The program's unique nature comes from its group approach. For example, volunteers from The Arc become involved to speak up for mentally disabled persons.
Results can be tragic.
The defense against such tragedies is information. Sullivan is still asking that question. The company is about to roll out his latest response in the form of a special needs calculator, the first of its kind. Similar to those that allows real estate agents to easily calculate mortgages and interest rates, this model will allow consultants to enter information and compute the amount needed to shore up for the future for clients with severe disabilities. Since the beginning of this year, without any major advertising campaign, there have been over 1,000 hits per month on Merrill Lynch's Families of Children with Disabilities web site.