Category Archives: Americans with Disabilities

Deaf Inmates Will Receive Services in Miami-Dade Jails

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

As a result of non-compliance with disability rights laws, Deaf prisoners are not provided adequate access to communication with their family and lawyers, adequate medical services, and may be assaulted and victimized without recourse.

Litigation Article: Can a Woman with No Arms Ride a Roller Coaster?

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Jessica Cox filed an administrative complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations claiming that she was excluded from every single ride at Universal Studios Orlando because she was born without arms, and she was not able to continually grasp the restraints with at least one hand. Jessica believed that the restrictions on all of the rides were not based on actual risks, but instead, based upon stereotypes of what she can or cannot do.

Work Incentives Protecting Health Coverage for People with Disabilities

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

by Lesley Lopez                       Many SSA beneficiaries are afraid of losing their health insurance coverage because of employment, however, SSA provides protections to SSA beneficiaries to be able to work and keep their Medicare or Medicaid. Extended Medicare Coverage for Working People with Disabilities. Beneficiaries receiving SSDI As long as your disabling condition… Read More »

Diversity – Does it Matter in the Legal Profession?

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

By: Matthew Dietz The Florida Bar is fully committed to the enhancement of diversity within the Bar, the legal profession, legal education, and in the justice system, and affirms its commitment toward a diverse and inclusive environment with equal access and equal opportunity for all. –The Florida Bar Board of Governors, May 2010 On… Read More »

Litigation: Is Your Child A Runner?

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Some children with autism, developmental or intellectual disabilities may wander off without any comprehension of possible danger.  This might include running off from adults at school or in the community, leaving the classroom without permission, or leaving the house when the family is not looking. While most children are drawn to water, many autistic… Read More »

He’s Got the Moves

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

By: Lisa Goodman He’s got the moves! Nyle DiMarco is without doubt a “triple threat.” His website even describes him as such,“Nyle DiMarco is an actor, model and spokesman.” No offense to whoever wrote his website, but they dropped the ball when they failed to include dancer, which makes him a quadruple threat. Currently,… Read More »

Summer Fun and Discrimination against Kids (with or without disabilities)!

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Happy Summertime! The Summer should be a time where all kids, kids with disabilities and kids without disabilities, should be able to have fun. Discrimination about kids in the Summer is not fun, and here are some tips on how kids can avoid discrimination in the Summer.

Employment Support for People with Disabilities

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

If you are disabled and you are pursuing employment, you are not alone. You can find many agencies providing employment support that will help you reach your vocational goal. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Centers for Independent Living Employment Networks Disability Program Navigator Initiative Disability Rights Florida The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

At The Intersection of Disability and Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

By: Sharon Langer We have renamed my column THE INTERSECTION. The column will still explore the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault but will focus on the extraordinary impact those issues have on persons with disabilities. Since the theme this month is presidential candidates and where they stand on the issue of Disability… Read More »

larry mcdowell

IS HEALTH CARE ONLY FOR THE “ABLE BODIED”?

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

People with disabilities tend to be in poorer health and to use health care at a significantly higher rate than people who do not have disabilities. Larry McDowell is not a statistic, but instead a blatant example of an issue which needs to be addressed. Equality in health care is not a benefit, but a basic right.

Lawyers drinking shots with one man looking disturbed

The Legal Profession’s Mental Health Issue is a Suppressed Epidemic

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

As a new lawyer, the emphasis is to focus on career development, and the life tenet of “Work Hard, Play Hard” is taken to heart. A balanced life is only considered for later in life, and wellness is not good for advancement to partner. Twenty years later, balance is not achieved, and anxiety as well as management of that anxiety is a way of life.

Fear should not be a barrier to full community integration

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

By: Matthew Dietz On August 18, 2015, Carl Starke, an Autistic man, was shot by three teenagers who were casing the Wal-Mart parking lot for cars to steal; they spotted Carl in the parking lot, and followed him home. They somehow noticed that he had a disability – he was marked as a “soft… Read More »

KARL HUNT – SUPERHERO OF FAIR HOUSING

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Karl Hunt- SUPERHERO of Fair Housing. Karl stood up for his rights and held firm despite the hardship in doing so. He paved the way for many other persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live in their homes, and not to get bullied or evicted because of their disabilities.

Deaf Woman Denied Career Choice at Keiser University

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Katy Daniel-Rivera would like the opportunity to succeed in her chosen career and earn a license to be a Radiologic Technologist. With appropriate auxiliary aids and services, a person who is Deaf can perform any job. To deny a person that opportunity is discrimination.

Autistic Man Fired from Cargill because of stereotypes about Diabetes

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

People with diabetes face unfair stereotypes and discrimination at work, at school, and elsewhere in their lives

Welcome to The Magic City! Miami, Florida — on Wheels

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Tropical weather, palm trees on every corner, and delicious Cuban coffee. Welcome to Miami! The city whose heart beats to the sounds of a Latin drum, where beaches and nightlife never end.

Resource for Employees with Disabilities – ASKJAN.ORG

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

  By: Lisa Goodman Have you ever had any questions about workplace accommodations or the Americans with Disability Act (ADA)? Some of those questions might include: What accommodations could you, as an employee, ask for/be entitled to at your job What accommodations should I ask for given my Disability? What accommodations are you as… Read More »

The Key to my Independence

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

In my life, I define independent living simply as living my life my way. I knew at a young age that I wanted to move out of my parent’s home and get my own place. My goal was not to always depend on my mother to provide me care, but instead to live independently by finding a way to acquire long-term care coverage that would pay for personal care assistants to help me on a daily basis.

Kids Crusaders Corner – How my wish to become a full time caregiver was fulfilled

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

I often go many hours without sleep because after working all night outside the home, there is so much that still needs to be done inside the home, including caring for my son. As of April 1, 2016 I will be able to step down from my “career” as a nurse and step into my role as a Mom…which is how it should have been all along.

Roseline Joseph receives a Christmas Gift from the Coral Gables Police Department to welcome her medically fragile grandchild home

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Jocelyne Joseph was just granted custody of her grandson, who is a medically-fragile three year old with a disability, and received a gift from the Coral Gables Police Department to assist her in the holiday season.