Graduation season is nearly upon us as high school seniors across the state are making plans for their next adventure. If you have a disability and choose to go on to college, there are additional steps required, both in choosing the right university and in seeing that your needs are met. I’m talking to you, the student, not your parent.…
Adults With Disabilities
Your COVID-19 Practical Preparedness Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for all of us. Economic, psychological, and most important, physical health is on the top of everyone’s mind during just about all waking hours. We must stay strong for our vulnerable and remember that with the right preparedness and planning, this too shall pass. Estate plans are vitally important to our overall preparedness and peace…
Zoned Out – A Brief History
The institutional reform movements of the 1970’s led to a significant downsizing of large facilities housing people with developmental and other disabilities. Advocates began a concerted effort to establish community-based homes, but faced numerous obstacles, most often from local communities which used zoning and building laws as a barrier to allowing development of smaller group homes. Getting a group home…
Waiver 101
If you’re in the disability-world, you’ve probably heard rumblings about waivers or the new waiver waiting list. But what exactly is a waiver and how could a waiver help your family? Here’s a quick overview. Waivers are administered through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) and county Boards of Developmental Disabilities. In order to be eligible, you must have…
Care Advocacy Services: A Case Study
Donald and Shirley engaged Hickman & Lowder to draft their estate plan with special needs considerations in the early 1990s. At that time, their daughter, Angela, who has a developmental disability, was living with them and receiving minimal benefits from the government. Donald and Shirley put a trust in place to provide for Angela after they both were gone. When…
Another State Taxing a Trust
When it comes to the everyday life of an individual who has a developmental disability, life can present unexpected obstacles not only for the individual, but for family and friends, as well. The challenges are made easier through well-planned trusts which protect important government benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and ensure that when the parent passes…
An Invitation to Hear Haley Moss, JD – Practicing Attorney and First Openly Identified Person with Autism Practicing Law in Florida
I’m honored to be on the Board of Milestones Autism Resources, which is featuring Haley Moss, JD, as one of the keynote speakers for the Milestones National Autism Conference. Her address will be on June 12, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio. Haley, an incredible spokesperson for the legal field and for persons with autism, is an associate at the Zumpano Patricios…
Illegal Delay of 2016 Equity in IDEA Regulations
On March 7, 2019, the US District Court in Washington D.C. ruled that the current Department of Education had acted arbitrarily and capriciously in failing to implement Obama-era rules which are intended to address the disparities in the treatment of students of color with disabilities. A summary of the action was issued by the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys…
Raising Expectations
As part of my job, I attend a lot of conferences and presentations. One of the presentations I attended recently featured a whole myriad of people who had their opportunity to dazzle us at the podium. (Maybe “dazzle” is a lofty goal for a continuing education course. The goal was probably to keep us awake and not misspeak!) One of…
Disabled Voters are Enfranchised Voters
We are excited to share a short, 30-second video created to help empower voters with disabilities. It was produced for Ohioans with disabilities by All Voting is Local with help from Milestones Autism Resources. (I’m honored to be one of the Board Members of Milestones!) Although the deadline to register in Ohio has already passed, this information reminds us that…