Recent Blog Posts
The City of Coral Gables’ Granada Golf Course should be accessible to all for ADA’S 25th Anniversary
By: Sharon Langer I love to walk on Saturdays on our city of Coral Gables public golf course. It has been a destination for walkers, runners and joggers for as long as it has been built for the last 50 years. The City of Coral Gables recreational programs or activities, such as those offered… Read More »
Weiss v. Bethesda Hospital
We have been asked for copies of documents from the Weiss case by many persons — the attached are the pleadings: COMPLAINT-Weiss Motion For Preliminary Injunction Defendants Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction Plaintiff’s Reply to Defendants Response to Motion for Preliminary Injunction Report & Recommendation Plaintiffs’ Objections to the Report and Recommendations
Rotary Club of Harris County– Meeting their community’s needs
By Sharon Langer The Rotary Club of Harris County Georgia has a 17 year history of service to their community. I was privileged to join them this month at a summer breakfast meeting and hear about a unique project they started for persons with disabilities. I am hoping that by writing about this project… Read More »
The Exceptional Theater Company
By Rachel Goldstein The Exceptional Theater Company (“ETC”) is a remarkable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, designed to teach theatre to individuals of all ages with physical and/or intellectual disabilities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, with over 20 drama classes, and a summer program in Asheville, North Carolina. The ETC drama classes recently presented… Read More »
Ride de Vuelta – Sports without limitations, we all can do it!!!
By Mick Jackson Mick Jackson, founder and former professional snowboarder from California, knows very well the Chilean terrain due to many competitions and visits to the country and created Ride de Vuelta in early 2014 in Santiago, Chile. Mick’s motivation was to provide opportunities for people with disabilities but from an ecological and inclusive approach,… Read More »
ADA 25th Anniversary – The State of the Florida Bar and Courts
Persons with disabilities should not be “inspiring” or be required to “overcome” their disability to be a member of the Florida Bar. No other population needs to proffer its superstars to become eligible to be a lawyer. The ADA’s intent was to open the door and create a level playing field so anyone who has the intellectual ability and required ethical standards to be able to practice law should be able to do so. As a profession, we need to examine our practice, our rules, and our profession to remove attitudinal barriers and accept each other as equals.
Pet-Friendly Hurricane Evacuation Centers in Miami
By: Monica Sabates Hurricane season in Miami-Dade County is a force to be reckoned with. The season’s span between June 1st and November 30th leaves a considerable amount of time for a hurricane to strike suddenly and swiftly in one’s vicinity. Being mindful and prepared for what may come is the first step to… Read More »
Disability: The Market You’re Missing Part II
By: Rachel Goldstein Welcome back for part two of my series addressing some of the most commonly asked questions by businesses. In part two I am going to focus on the most frequently asked question, “What can I do so I do not get sued?” With such a complex question in mind, this article… Read More »
What Makes Someone Inspirational?
Claudio deserved this award because of what he did, not because of his disability.
The Wallet Card presented at the Family Café
By Rachel Goldstein Senior Staff Attorney Rachel Goldstein attended the 17th Annual Family Café in Orlando, Florida and gave a presentation, One Tool for Successful Interactions with Police: The Wallet Card. The Wallet Card Project is the product of a unique collaboration between Disability Independence Group, the Coral Gables Police Department and the UM-NSU… Read More »
Benefits from SSA for People with Disabilities
By Leslie Quin The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria… Read More »
Lucky 13 Casino Night by the Pets’ Trust, June 6, 2015
Over 400 people attended the Pets’ Trust “Mercedes-Benz of Cutler Bay Casino Night”. Our client, Monica Alboniga with her children, Stevie the dog, and Yarelys Mirabal and Marlon Velez from DIG .
Litigation – Fair Housing Reasonable Accommodations – Hey Mr. Landlord, please can you make one little change so I can live in my home?
Many landlords believe that the terms and conditions of the apartments they rent are not subject to modification – it’s “take it or leave it.” But the Fair Housing Act requires landlords to make modifications to rules, policies or procedures so that tenants with disabilities can have the same opportunities to live in a home and in an integrated community.
Florida’s New Service Animal Statute — Section 413.08
By: Matthew Dietz This legislative term, Florida Representative Jimmie T. Smith, from Citrus and part of Hernando Counties, sponsored one of the most progressive service animal bills in the United States, Florida Statute 413.08 (2015). As a veteran, Rep. Smith has become a leader for the Florida House when it comes to issues dealing… Read More »
What is Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) according to the Social Security Administration?
By: Lesly Lopez To be eligible for disability benefits, a person must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA). A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA. The amount of monthly earnings considered as SGA… Read More »
Mediation
By: Lester Langer So you have now decided to hire an attorney. First, shop around, speak with your friends and colleagues about their experiences. Make sure your attorney has handled cases and law suits involving your issues. Find out how many cases and the attorneys experience in that area. Discuss the fee and other… Read More »
Disability: The Market You’re Missing: Incentives for Business
By: Rachel Goldstein Recently the Small Business Committee of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce presented a seminar ‘Disability: The Market You’re Missing’. I was one of several panelists at the seminar who explained to small businesses how to best serve customers, clients and employees with disabilities. As an attorney, most of the questions… Read More »
Guardianship Seminar – May 6, 2015
By: Sharon Langer Elizabeth Hubbard and Wendy RobbinsOn May 6, 2015, Dade Legal Aid and Disability Independence Group Inc. presented the first training for Attorneys and others in for our children with special needs. The Regis Little Act will now protect our most vulnerable foster youth by providing a process that not only protects them… Read More »
Cool Ways to stay cool
By: Sharon Langer Summer is here and while it can be lots of fun it also means heat..heat.. heat. For many folks with a disability this heat can actually be a health risk or even life threatening. There are many personal cooling devices on the market that can help! Here are some: SHADING DEVICES-… Read More »
