Recent Blog Posts
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 »
District 8 Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava Debbie and Sharon went to meet Commissioner Levine Cava and her team to discuss our work with individuals with disabilities and to discuss The Wallet Card Project and Animal Partners.
Law Day – May 1, 2015 Picture by: THEO KARANTSALIS Over 100 students from Miami Central and Hialeah High Schools met with U.S. District Court Judge Laurel M. Isicoff, and several attorneys, at the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building for a five-hour Law Day program that included watching court in session. Students… Read More »
AIDS Walk – April 26, 2015 Debbie and Matt joined Richard Milstein and Eric Hankin to walk in the 27th Annual AIDS Walk on Miami Beach. This event is Miami’s largest HIV/AIDS awareness fundraiser and continues to attract thousands of participants to support Care Resource and Food For Life Network food bank and its work… Read More »
julie Kids Crusaders Corner
By: Julie Fioravanti Welcome friends to this month’s edition of Kids Crusaders. My goal is to introduce you to an amazing organization, give you just a few of the stories and introduce you to a few of the many people that make up this “family” and encourage you to consider joining, or referring someone… Read More »
Hui Yu – Life as an intern at Disability Independence Group
Here at DIG, I can really see how the work being done can actually make an impact on people’s lives.
DIG Litigation Update – $625,000 settlement to ensure accessibility in Section 8 project based housing developments.
On April 17, 2015, Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence, Inc. (HOPE) and six residents of two developments in Miami Gardens and Opa-Locka, Florida settled a lawsuit with Charter Management and Miami Property Group, and obtained significant changes in the policies and procedures of their housing development to ensure that all residents are able to… Read More »
Mediation Corner with Lester – How do you prepare for Mediation
by Lester Langer, Retired Circuit Judge Certified Mediator Building on the first two articles, you are now at mediation. How do you prepare? First, if you do not have a lawyer, at least speak to one for a consult. While you can learn a lot on the internet about a particular issue, it is… Read More »
Happy Fair Housing Month
April is Fair Housing Month and the time to celebrate the anniversary of the enactment of the Fair Housing Act. Many of you may be asking- “what exactly is the Fair Housing Act, and what are my fair housing rights?”- so here is a brief overview of the Fair Housing Act and some of… Read More »
