Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
Tax assistance being offered for deaf in South Alabama | al.com
Like most people, Ryan Marcopulous had a difficult time doing her income taxes.
But for Marcopulous the challenges stemmed from a communication problem.
Deaf since she was 5 months old, the result of spinal meningitis, she couldn't find free tax preparation services with interpreters.
But that changed a year ago when HandsOn South Alabama started the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, also known as VITA, for the deaf and hard of hearing, providing interpreters to assist with tax preparation.
This is the second year for the volunteer program.
Before Marcopulous started doing tax preparation through the VITA program, she relied on tax accountants for help.
But it wasn't always a simple, pleasant experience, she said.
Marcopulous said one CPA became "very rude and didn't have any patience" because of the communication barrier.
Sometimes sitting with accountants went on for hours with tax preparers becoming impatient and getting rude because they couldn't understand her, she said.
She even tried to use a computer to help her ask questions, but the tax preparers would just get frustrated, according to Marcopulous.
The VITA program has been so much easier, being able to have an interpreter to help her communicate.
"This service is a great advantage to working people with disabilities," Marcopulous said.
Les Switzer, HandsOn program coordinator with the tax program, said while the service for the deaf and hearing impaired was offered for only two days, interpreters are still available to help those who need tax assistance.
Diana Brinson, executive director of HandsOn South Alabama, said people needing assistance should call HandsOn and make an appointment.
Like most people, Ryan Marcopulous had a difficult time doing her income taxes.
But for Marcopulous the challenges stemmed from a communication problem.
Deaf since she was 5 months old, the result of spinal meningitis, she couldn't find free tax preparation services with interpreters.
But that changed a year ago when HandsOn South Alabama started the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, also known as VITA, for the deaf and hard of hearing, providing interpreters to assist with tax preparation.
This is the second year for the volunteer program.
Before Marcopulous started doing tax preparation through the VITA program, she relied on tax accountants for help.
But it wasn't always a simple, pleasant experience, she said.
Marcopulous said one CPA became "very rude and didn't have any patience" because of the communication barrier.
Sometimes sitting with accountants went on for hours with tax preparers becoming impatient and getting rude because they couldn't understand her, she said.
She even tried to use a computer to help her ask questions, but the tax preparers would just get frustrated, according to Marcopulous.
The VITA program has been so much easier, being able to have an interpreter to help her communicate.
"This service is a great advantage to working people with disabilities," Marcopulous said.
Les Switzer, HandsOn program coordinator with the tax program, said while the service for the deaf and hearing impaired was offered for only two days, interpreters are still available to help those who need tax assistance.
Diana Brinson, executive director of HandsOn South Alabama, said people needing assistance should call HandsOn and make an appointment.