Johnette Hartnett, Ed.D. is the Director of Strategy and Research for the National Disability Institute and Cofounder of the Real Economic Impact Tour. Under Dr. Hartnett's leadership, the Real Economic Impact Tour increased the number of taxpayers with disabilities who receive free tax assistance more than 1 million individuals with more than $1 billion dollars in tax refunds. As National Director of the Real Economic Impact Tour, Dr. Hartnett has pioneered a groundbreaking model, developing long-term strategic partnerships across both public and private sectors. Thanks to this unlikely union, the Real Economic Impact Tour includes more than100 cities nationwide alongside 40 national partners, including Walmart, Bank of America, AT&T and more. Moreover, thanks to lead sponsor IRS Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication, the Real Economic Impact Tour has successfully created what is now nationally recognized as the premier model for disability-inclusive, community-based free tax preparation and asset building best practices. The Real Economic Impact Tour’s success influenced the adoption of new virtual regulations for IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that allow none face-to-face tax preparation; the adoption and use of Video Relay Services at IRS and Bank of America; the inclusion of a disability specific question on national tax software used in over 12,000 tax coalitions; the creation of two IRS reports (2007 and 2010) on the characteristics and profiles of taxpayers with disabilities; the establishment of a Financial Stability Committee with the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (103 national disability organizations in Washington, DC) focused on the economic legislative issues for people with disabilities; and the insertion of disability specific language in Congressional legislation supporting volunteer income tax preparation. Dr. Hartnett obtained her Ed.D. in Public Policy and Educational Leadership and her Masters in Education in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Vermont. She graduated Summa Cum Laude, from Trinity College majoring in psychology and gerontology. Dr. Hartnett was a Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Congressional Fellow in the 107th Congress where she worked for Senator Rockefeller on behalf of individuals with disabilities in the reauthorization of welfare. Dr. Hartnett was Vice President of the NCB Development Corporation, in Washington, DC; Principal Investigator of the Asset Accumulation and Tax Policy Project at the Law, Health Policy Disability Center at the University of Iowa, College of Law; and from 2008-2011 co-principal investigator of the Asset Accumulation and Tax Policy project at the Burton Blatt Institute, Syracuse University, College of Law. Prior to coming to Washington, DC, Dr. Hartnett was an Assistant Research Professor, in the Department of Education and the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion, at the University of Vermont. Dr. Hartnett has published six books on coping with loss and a number of articles and research papers on the challenges of low to moderate income taxpayers in gaining access to the mainstream economy. Dr. Hartnett currently serves as President of the Shared Horizon’s Inc. Special Needs Pooled Trust in Washington, DC, that assists more than 400 beneficiaries with more than $10 million dollars in assets. Dr. Hartnett also served on the National Community Tax Coalition, Center for Economic Progress in Chicago, IL, as an Advisory and Executive Committee member. Past board service includes Best Buddies; University of Southern New Hampshire, School of Community Economic Development; and the Special Education Advisory Board, State of Vermont. Dr. Hartnett was raised by parents with disabilities and is dedicated to working on policy and research issues that forward the quality of life and the economic well-being of Americans with disabilities. |
