United Spinal Association Launches 'Disability Etiquette' Webinar to Assist United Way of America Tax Preparation Sites

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Mar 11, 2010, 06:30 ET

Increased Access to the Earned Income Tax Credit

NEW YORK, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association has created a "Disability Etiquette" webinar to assist United Way of America with its initiative to improve outreach and service to people with disabilities at community-based free tax preparation sites.

The webinar will be shared with the entire United Way network to ensure staffs working at these sites are properly trained in disability etiquette.

"The 'Disability Etiquette' webinar provides practical information that will help local United Ways and their partners during the tax season and throughout the year better communicate and service people with disabilities," said Laura Scherler, director of Income Capacity Building at United Way Worldwide.

"United Spinal is grateful to have had the opportunity to raise disability awareness at United Way and to play a role in this wonderful collaboration that will bring free tax preparation education and guidance to the disability community across the country," said Marlene Perkins, VP of Corporate Outreach at United Spinal who hosted the webinar. "We hope our Disability Etiquette webinar helps United Way successfully serve thousands of Americans who are not aware of the Earned Income Tax Credit."

For the 2010 tax season, United Way has partnered with the National Disability Institute, One Economy, and the Walmart Foundation to increase access to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) through free tax preparation and filing services. The credit is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families.

"Through its innovative training on Disability Etiquette, United Spinal Association has helped the National Disability Institute (NDI) and IRS identify how best to work with customers with disabilities. Because of the rave reviews this training has received from our staff in the past, we are now sharing it with our partner United Way Worldwide and its nationwide network to support free tax preparation for people with disabilities," said Dr. Johnette Hartnett at the National Disability Institute.

United Spinal regularly hosts training sessions and webinars with corporations and educational institutions focusing not only on improving interaction with people with disabilities, but also increasing sensitivity in the workplace and marketplace to issues facing people with all types of disabilities (i.e., spinal cord injuries, hearing and visual impairments, cerebral palsy, short stature, etc.). United Spinal also publishes an informative booklet called Disability Etiquette -- Tips on Interacting With People With Disabilities with over 500,000 copies distributed worldwide.

About United Spinal Association

United Spinal is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post polio. It has played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with spinal cord disorders.

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SOURCE United Spinal Association