Welcome to the REI Tour Mayor’s Leadership Academy
Dear Participants,
Imagine you go online to check your bank account balance but it is denied. Imagine you are non-English speaking and call a hotline for information and the automated message is in English only. Imagine that you do not drive and there is limited public transportation to the agencies providing free services. Imagine every time you go to check your salary information online you have to hunt down someone from HR to assist.
That’s what a lot of people with disabilities face when they try to manage their money and plan for their future. It is why we started the Real Economic Impact Tour - so the barriers to access would be removed and replaced by the limitless opportunities of access represented here at this conference.
The Real Economic Impact Tour has one mission: to “build a better economic future for Americans with disabilities.” Every one of you here – whether it’s your first or fifth time – are the architects of change. You are building inclusive communities of practice across America for people with disabilities. Since 2005 you have helped over 679,000 taxpayers file free returns – representing a $134 million savings in tax preparation fees and over $663 million in refunds. Since 2005 you have more than doubled the percentage of taxpayers with disabilities accessing free services from 6% to 13%. We took your suggestions from last year’s conference as the baseline for this year’s program. We have a number of workshops that will highlight issues of access and etiquette; innovative asset development strategies; cutting edge research, and an introduction to the disability policy agenda. New this year is a participatory technology lab staffed with bloggers and social media experts. The lab agenda is based on your responses to our national communications survey conducted last summer. And to top it off – you will have the opportunity to participate in a professional photo shoot - with props and all – that will customize a picture for your 2011 campaign back home.
Thank you to our title sponsor, Walmart, for their generous support of this year’s conference, and to Kaye Scholer, LLC, Amerigroup Foundation, the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, Protected Tomorrows and the Center for Economic Progress for their support.
A special thank you to IRS and the hundreds of employees across the country who continue to champion this important work that is changing the lives of Americans with disabilities.
Welcome and thank you for your incredible work, dedication and time, it is most appreciated!
Johnette Hartnett, Ed.D.
Director, REI Tour, National Disability Institute
Michael Morris, JD
Executive Director, National Disability Institute
5th Annual
Mayor's Leadership Academy on Asset Developmentfor Persons with Disabilities and Their Families
AGENDA
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
7:30 - 8:00Registration, Continental Breakfast and Networking Opportunities
8:00 - 8:20Welcome to Chicago, IL
- Karen Tamley, Commissioner, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, City of Chicago
- Michael Morris, JD, Executive Director, National Disability Institute
8:20 – 8:35Welcome to 5th Annual Academy
- Julie Garcia, Acting Director, Customer Assistance, Relationships and Education (CARE) Internal Revenue Service
8:35 – 8:55State of the Real Economic Impact Tour Address
- Dr. Johnette Hartnett, Director of Real Economic Impact Tour, National Disability Institute
8:55 – 9:25State of Asset Development for People with Disabilities
- Sharon Lewis, Commissioner, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Administration for Children and Families U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
9:25 – 9:30Employment and Improving the Workplace for People with Disabilities
- Alexandra McArthur, Ms. Wheelchair America 2011 and Fellow for Leadership Development at Davidson College, Davidson, NC
9:3 – 9:45Welcome REI Tour Cities
- Michael R. Roush, MA, National Program Director, Real Economic Impact Tour, National Disability Institute
9:50 – 10:00Break
10:00 – 10:50Breakout #1
Session A - Communications & Technology Lab: Hands on SocialMedia
- Kate Chernis, Social Media Consultant, National Disability Institute
- Nakia Matthews, Media and Technology Coordinator, National Disability Institute
- Cindy Battles, Blogger, National Disability Institute
Session B - Promising Practices REI Tour Awardees for 2010
Moderator: Ron Smith, Chief Strategic Planning and Development, Internal Revenue Service
Panelists:
- Shirley Worthington, Vice President, United Way of Central Alabama, Birmingham, AL
- Lucille Sclafani, VITA/EITC Coordinator, Co-opportunity, Inc., Hartford, CT
- Melissa Jensen, MSW, Asset Development Director, Community Action Partnership of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
- Kara Moore, Prosperity Campaign Outreach Specialist, United Way of Tampa Bay,Tampa, FL
Session C - Making Tax Sites Accessible, Understanding Needs of Taxpayers with Disabilities and Educating Volunteers
- Karen Hamilton, Southeast ADA Center, North Carolina ADA Network Administrator
Session D - Pioneering Inclusive Financial Stability
Moderator: Michael Morris, J.D., Executive Director, National Disability Institute
Panelists
- Lee Davenport. Program Director, National Financial Partnerships at One Economy Corporation
- Dr. Johnette Hartnett, Director, REI Tour National Disability Institute
- Laura Scherler, Director of Income Capacity Building, United Way Worldwide
11:00 – 11:50Breakout #2
Session A - Communications & Technology Lab: Hands on SocialMedia
- Kate Chernis, Social Media Consultant, National Disability Institute
- Nakia Matthews, Media and Technology Coordinator, National Disability Institute
- Cindy Battles, Blogger, National Disability Institute
Session B - Chicago’s Tax and Asset Building Work for People with Disabilities:
Moderator: David Marzhal, President, Center for Economic Progress, Chicago, IL
Panelists
- Karen Harris, Supervising Attorney, Asset Opportunity Unit, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
- Dr. Jane Burke-Miller, Evaluation Director, University of Illinois at Chicago Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy
Session C - Disability Etiquette
Moderator: Richard Keeling, Senior Tax Analyst, Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC), IRS
- Marlene Perkins, Vice President Corporate and Community Relations, United Spinal Association
- Steve Mendelsohn, Researcher, Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University and Consultant, National Disability Institute
Session D – Corporate Engagement, and Employee Resource Groups
- Moderator: Dr. Johnette Hartnett, Director of Real Economic Impact Tour, National Disability Institute
Panelists
- Annika Little, Senior Vice President Corporate Philanthropy, Bank of America
- Clarke Cronin, Chairman Disability Affinity Group-Chicago, Bank of America
- Andrea Brands, Director, Public Affairs, AT&T
- Tierney Sccavino, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Acorda Therapeutics. Inc.
11:50 - 1:15LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
1:15 - 1:30The State of Economic Security and Disability
Bob Williams, Senior Advisor to the Acting Associate Commissioner, Office of Employment Support Programs, Social Security Administration
1:30 - 2:00Looking Ahead to the 2011 Filing Season for Free Tax Preparation Sites
Don Dill, Senior Tax Analyst, Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC), IRS
2:00 – 2:10IRS New Partner Signing
Richard Keeling, Senior Tax Analyst, Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC), IRS
2:10 – 2:30Networking Time
2:30 - 3:20Breakout #3
Session A - Learn More about Self-Preparation and TaxWise® Tips
Moderator: Don Dill, Senior Tax Analyst, Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC), IRS
Panelist
- Lee Davenport, Program Director, National Financial Partnerships at One Economy Corporation
- Cindy Gilstrap, Account Relationship Manager, CCH Small Firm Services, a Wolters Kluwer business, TaxWise®
- Cindy Jones, Cindy Jones, PMP, Acting Chief, Oversight & Analysis, Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC), IRS
Session B - Hooray! Matched Savings Programs and Disability
Moderator: Michael Morris, JD, Executive Director, National Disability Institute
Panelists
- Peter Stahl, Director of Economic Development, Community Enterprises Corporation, a subsidiary of Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey
- Meg Flippin, Program Specialist, Assets for Independence Program, Office of Community Services, Administration for Families and Children, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Jackie Wilks-Weathers, Executive Director, Center for Financial Independence & Innovation, Inc.
Session C - Hear Ye! Hear Ye! New VITA Disaiblity Policy Platform
- Serena Lowe, Public Policy Consultant, National Disabilty Institute
- Steve Mendelsohn, Researcher, Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University and Consultant, National Disability Institute
Session D - Effective Strategies Working with Mental Health Recovery Communities
Moderator: Michael R. Roush, MA, National Program Director of REI Tour, National Disability Institute
Panelists
- Dr. Judith Cook, Professor and Director, Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Anne Marie Ruvelas, Fiscal Manager, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey
3:20 - 3:35Break
3:35 - 4:25Breakout #4
Session A - Communications & Technology Lab: Hands on SocialMedia
- Kate Chernis, Social Media Consultant, National Disability Institute
- Nakia Matthews, Media and Technology Coordinator, National Disability Institute
- Cindy Battles, Blogger, National Disability Institute
Session B - Hot Research: Changing Financial Behavior for Taxpayers with Disabilities
Moderator: Steve Mendelsohn, Researcher, Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University and Consultant, National Disability Institute
- Tobey Davies, Project Director, REAL Opportunity Study, Institute on Disability, University of New Hampshire
- Catherine Anderson, Assistant Director of Operations, University of Wisconsin, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute & Department of Human Services Pathways Projects
Session C - Remote Tax Preparation in Real Time: DeafTax VITA
Moderator: Dr. Johnette Hartnett, Director, REI Tour, National Disability Institute
Panelists
- Judy Stengel, National Resource Manager, Real Economic Impact Tour, National Disability Institute
- Joshua R. Beal, MBA, RFC, Managing Partner/Investment Advisor, Schwarz Financial Services LLC. Founder of DeafTax.com & DeafMoney.com
- Desryl DeSouza, Benefits Advocate, Harlem Independent Living Center
Session D - Building Disability Inclusiveness in Statewide Coalitions
Moderator: Jackie Lynn Coleman, Senior Director, National Community Tax Coalition and Vice President of National Programs, Center for Economic Progress
- Janet Hamer, Senior Community Development Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
- Karen Harris, Supervising Attorney, Asset Opportunity Unit, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
- Kaye Schmitz, President and CEO, Florida Prosperity Partnership
4:35 - 5:25Breakout #5
Session A - Communications & Technology Lab: Hands on SocialMedia
- Kate Chernis, Social Media Consultant, National Disability Institute
- Nakia Matthews, Media and Technology Coordinator, National Disability Institute
- Cindy Battles, Blogger, National Disability Institute
Session B - Asset building Strategies for Persons with Disabilities
Moderator: Mary Anne Ehlert, CEO, Protected Tomorrows
Panelists
- Jackie Wilks-Weathers, Executive Director, Center for Financial Independence & Innovation, Inc.
- Yolanda Mazyck, Executive Director, Shared Horizons, Inc.
Session C - Financial Education Resources and Tools, Savings Bonds & Online Games
Moderator: Annika Little, Senior Vice President Corporate Philanthropy, Bank of America
- Michael R. Roush, MA, National Program Director, National Disability Institute
- Joanna Smith-Romani, Director of Strategy, D2D Fund
- Sara Gordon (invited)
Session D - Benefits Training
- Sharon Brent, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, National Disability Institute
5:30 –7:00Evening Reception at Federal Reserve Bank
Reception hosted by Kaye Scholer, LLC
Thursday, November 4, 2010
7:30 - 8:00Registration, Continental Breakfast and Networking Opportunities
8:00 - 8:15Welcome Remarks
- Richard Keeling, Senior Tax Analyst, Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC), IRS
8:15 - 8:45The Asset Movement Moment Is Now
- Andrea Levere, CEO, CFED
8:45 - 9:35Federal Partners Panel
Moderator, Michael Morris, Executive Director, National Disability Institute
Panelists
- Bob Williams, Senior Advisor to the Acting Associate Commissioner, Office of Employment Support Programs, Social Security Administration
- James Gatz, Manager, Assets for Independence Program, Office of Community Services, Administration for Families and Children, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Louisa Quittman, Director, Community Programs, U. S. Department of the Treasury
- Angelisa M. Harris, Community Affairs Officer, Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection, Chicago Regional Office, FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)
9:35 - 9:45Announce Winner of Networking BINGO
9:45 - 10:30Perspectives from Persons with Disabilities
Moderator: Dr. Johnette Hartnett, Director of Real Economic Impact Tour, National Disability Institute
Panelists
- Joshua R. Beal, MBA, RFC, Managing Partner/Investment Advisor, Schwarz Financial Services LLC. Founder of DeafTax.com & DeafMoney.com
- Cindy Battles, Blogger, National Disability Institute
- Steve Mendelsohn, Researcher, Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University and Consultant, National Disability Institute
- Andrew Houghton, Board of Directors, National Disability Institute
- Alexandra McArthur, Ms. Wheelchair America 2011
10:30 - 10:45Break
10:45 - 11:30Strategic Thinking for 2011
Dr. Johnette Hartnett, Director of Real Economic Impact Tour, National Disability Institute
11:30 - 12:15Group Breakout Reports
12:15 - 12:30Final Thoughts and Program Conclusion
Michael Morris, JD, Executive Director, National Disability Institute
Full Description of Breakout Sessions
Full Description of Breakout Sessions
Hands-On Communications & Technology Lab: Making Sense of Social Media
Who has time for social media? Besides, it’s for kids, right? Nonprofits don’t need marketing! Join us as we debunk common social media myths, highlight successful online business best-practices, and give you the opportunity to explore popular social media tools.
Panelists:
Kate Chernis, Outlandos Media
Nakia Matthews, National Disability Institute
Cindy Battles, National Disability Institute
2010 REI Tour Awardees Share Success Stories
The innovative practices of the four 2010 REI Tour city awardees will be showcased. Join us to learn first hand how they did so much with so little! Salt Lake City, UT, Tampa, FL, Birmingham, AL, and Hartford, CT.
Moderator: Ron Smith, Internal Revenue Service
Panelists:
Shirley Worthington, United Way of Central Alabama
Lucille Sclafani, Co-oppotunity, Inc.
Melissa Jensen, Community Action Partnership of Utah
Kara Moore, United Way of Tampa Bay
Guarantee: Things You Never Thought About To Make Your Site(s) Accessible
Always a winner, this session will give the “nuts and bolts” of ensuring your sites, materials and outreach meet the needs of taxpayers with disabilities. Valuable information for volunteer training back home.
Presenter: Karen Hamilton, Southeast ADA Center
Pioneering a “New Culture of Use” for Free Tax Prep
Move over VITA: A diverse group of partners are testing new models for increasing the use of free tax preparation and VITA. United Way Worldwide, OneEconomy and NDI.
Moderator: Michael Morris, National Disability Institute
Panelists:
Lee Davenport, One Economy
Dr. Johnette Hartnett, National Disability Institute
Laura Scherler, United Way Worldwide
What Providers Need to Know to Assist Clients in Asset Building
This session will include a policy overview and a case study on what providers need to know to assist clients with disabilities in asset building.
Moderator: David Marzhal, Center for Economic Progress
Panelists:
Karen Harris, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
Dr. Jane Burke-Miller, University of Illinois at Chicago Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy
Disability Etiquette
This informative and creative workshop is always educational, entertaining, and eye opening. REI Tour cities always request etiquette training - and this is the best!
Moderator: Richard Keeling, Internal Revenue Service
Panelists:
Marlene Harmon-Perkins, United Spinal Association
Steven Mendelsohn, Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University & National Disability Institute
Maximizing the Corporate Sponsor Relationship
Disability is fast becoming an important component for corporate employee resource groups. If you want to know how to better leverage these important relationships don’t miss this workshop!
Moderator: Dr. Johnette Hartnett, National Disability Institute
Panelists:
Annika Little, Bank of America
Clarke Cronin, Bank of America
Andrea Brands, AT&T
Tierney Saccavino, Acorda Therapeutics
Learn More About Self-Preparation: Beehive and TaxWise® Tips
Wondering about introducing self-prep into your tax sites? Whether you should use TaxWise® desktop or online? What can be gleaned from the TaxWise® reports? Come see for yourself!
Moderator: Don Dill, Internal Revenue Service
Panelists:
Lee Davenport, One Economy
Cindy Gilstrap, CCH Small Firm Services, TaxWise®
Cindy Jones, Internal Revenue Service
Hooray! Matched Savings Programs and Disability
Join us and two national experts and practitioners to understand more about why IDA’s are an important asset building strategy for taxpayers with disabilities. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Moderator: Michael Morris, JD, National Disability Institute
Panelists:
Peter Stahl, Community Enterprises Corporation
Meg Flippin, Assets for Independence Program, Administration for Families and Children, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jackie Wilks-Weathers, Center for Financial Independence & Innovation, Inc.
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! New VITA Disability Policy Platform
Disability policy is a hot issue today. Join this workshop if you are interested in leveraging your VITA advocacy efforts with disability for greater impact!
Moderators:
Serena Lowe, AnereS Strategies LLC & National Disability Institute
Steven Mendelsohn, Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University & National Disability Institute
Effective Strategies Working with Mental Health Recovery Communities
There is a whole network of recovery groups across the country that are not part of VITA. Come listen to national experts tell us how we can help.
Moderator: Michael Roush, MA, National Disability Institute
Panelists:
Dr. Judith Cook, Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, University of Illinois at Chicago
Anne Marie Ruvelas, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey
Hot Research: Changing Financial Behavior for Taxpayers with Disabilities
If you are interested in understanding the relationship of education to better financial outcomes join us. Top researchers provide a glimpse of their controlled study in two states.
Moderator: Steve Mendelsohn, Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University & National Disability Institute
Panelists: