[Blindtlk] Signing Your Name.

[Graves, Diane]

Hi Mary,

Well, I definitely think that your husband should realize that a legible signature is important. Having said that, I need to talk out of the other side of my mouth and shamefully admit that my signature is not.  I learned to sign my name back in high school 30 years ago, and over the years I have lost it. I have also gotten married, and begun using my middle name so, the original names I learned to sign have changed. I always joke about the fact that no one could forge my name. I really do wish though that I could find someone to work with me toward learning to make a legible signature, because we really need to expect that of ourselves.

Now, having said all of that, I have never had a tax return rejected, or any other legal document for that matter. Sometimes those receiving the documents know I am  blind, and sometimes they don't, so I don't believe it is a concession thing at all. My understanding is that there are sighted people who don't have legible signatures. We often hear doctors being so accused. (smile) 

So, if what you are worried about is the document  being rejected, I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think it will happen. If you don't draw their attention to it, they likely aren't going to refuse to accept the document. But if your husband has someone (you, or anyone else) who is willing to help him learn to make a legible signature, I would really encourage him to accept that help, and realize that, in a sighted world, if we want equality we really should be able to perform equally.  It is kind of like saying, "I am blind, so it doesn't matter how I dress." We all know that in the real world that just isn't true. Although I have never had a document refused, I know my signature doesn't make a good impression, and that really bothers me.

Diane Graves
Civil Rights Specialist
Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
317-232-2647
 
"It is service that measures success."
George Washington Carver
 
Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or entity(ies)
named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or acting in reliance
upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission. Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mary Mc Gee
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 12:11 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Signing Your Name.

Dear Fellow Federationists;

            I need some original thinking here, I believe.  It's tax time
and, as you know, when you're married, sometimes you choose to file a joint
return, which both you and your spouse must sign.  I have no problem doing
this; I'm the one who prepares the thing with the Schedules, etc.  My
husband, who is totally blind, can't sign his name legibly.  (It's debatable
whether my signature is legible.)  Anyway, last year the IRS sent the return
back saying the "spouse's signature is not authentic".  The IRS accepted
mine but not his.  He refuses to use one of those signature guides or
anything else like that.  He writes at an angle and the letters overlap.  He
says he shouldn't have to know how to sign his name.  I disagree.  Every
year at tax time we argue about this because he feels, being blind, he
shouldn't be expected to know how to make a legible signature.  I argue
that, since the majority of people working for the government are sighted
and the signature is your verification, you need to sign government
documents.  

            I guess my question is two-fold:

1.  Does anyone have any suggestions with respect to convincing him that he
needs to make a signature?

2.  Has anyone else had a document returned, when a blind person signed it
and the government refused to accept the signature?

            Last near, I took the think to Sen. Harkin's office and
explained the problem.  I signed release, they took over and sent the return
to the IRS, and I never heard another word till our refund check came.

            Thanks for your input.

Sincerely,

Mary L. McGee

 

 

NOTICE:  This E-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic
Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. Sections 2510-2521, is confidential
and may be legally privileged.  If you are not the intended recipient, you
are hereby notified that any tetention, dissemination, distribution, or
copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.  Please reply to the
sender that you have received the message in error, then delete.  Thank you.


 

_______________________________________________
blindtlk mailing list
blindtlk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blindtlk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/dgraves%40icrc.in.gov