If you, your business, or organization are interested in becoming a part of the Disability Initiative Workgroup, please contact Jeff Anderson, [email protected],   Alvita McKinney, [email protected],  or Joyce Foster, [email protected], of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.

If you are already a member of the Disability Initiative Workgroup and have questions regarding the IRS participation, then please contact Janet Bradford at [email protected].

The efforts of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) for Filling Season 2010 with its primary workgroup and community partners will support and participate in events throughout the tax season.

MOPD will host and co-sponsor events targeted specifically to the disability community regarding financial and economic empowerment, as well as support services available during the tax season.  MOPD’s goal is to increase the number of “mini Tax sites” available specifically to the disability community, and increase the number of related public services announcements on radio, television, internet and in local newspapers.

The 4th Annual Financial Empowerment Forum for People with Disabilities willl be held on January 29, 2010 and consist of similar tax season’s efforts.  MOPD plans to expand the forum in conjunction with its new community partners and new exhibitors to tentatively include Identity Theft Prevention, New Tax Laws, Husing & employment Resources, Free Taxc Preparation services, and much more.

Through “information sessions” at various venues, MOPD will expand its efforts to directly educate and inform the disability community of asset-building strategies, EITC, CHIP, CTC, home ownership, banking and other financial empowerment strategies for low-income families and persons with a disability during dates and times to be arranged between the months of February - April.  During the “information sessions”, representatives from HCTC at Bethel’s Place, the IRS, NTC and MOPD will provide presentations directly related to people with disabilities on tax preparation and topics on asset-building.