Category Archives: Uncategorized

black and white pictures of persons in wheelchairs in an institutional setting

Valuing and Devaluing the Disabled Human Life in Florida

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

The response to this outbreak is far from the empathetic “American Way,” but instead, we have lapsed into the Hobbesian ethic, where we deny essential testing to the most vulnerable, deny scarce life-saving equipment, rationalize the denial by claiming that the old and disabled would have died in any event.  Then to place insult onto the injury, Florida may immunize those who deny care from total immunity.  Even in the event we are overreacting to this pandemic, it still should be a clear signal that disability discrimination may be the only tenet that will be alive and well in our society.

Justine Chichester with a red orchid in her hair

The View From Here (17-11)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

By Justine Chichester I’ve been reading Sheryl Sandberg’s new book, Option B. In it, she writes about facing adversity, building resilience and finding joy. Sandberg writes, “You are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. Like a muscle, you can build it up; draw on it when you need it. In that process… Read More »

Summer Fun in Sunny Florida

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

By: Lorinda Gonzalez …it’s a smile, it’s a kiss, it’s a sip of wine … it’s summertime!      – Kenny Chesney The temperature is rising and soon everyone will hit the beach. Summers in Florida are epic, and people travel from all over the world to feel the warm sun on their face. As… Read More »

Asset Building for Individuals with Disabilities

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

By: Lesly Lopez Public benefit programs for people with disabilities, especially Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are not aimed at increasing assets and independence for people with disabilities as a result individuals with disabilities often have very limited income and few, if any, assets. The intent of asset building initiatives is that as individuals develop… Read More »

Hurricane Preparedness: Emergency & Evacuated Assistance Program (EEAP)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Don’t let a hurricane catch you off guard, prepare in advance by registering for the Emergency & Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP). Intended for residents that may need specialized transportation assistance or whose medical needs prevent them from evacuating themselves, the program is designed to provide evacuation support to those who live in their own… Read More »

Justine Chichester with a red orchid in her hair

The View From Here- (17-06)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

I had to regroup. Had to remind myself that although my steps may not look like they used to, and I may never be able to take nearly as many as I used to, I am still doing it. I have fought very hard to get here and I continue to fight every day to get just a little bit further.

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Disability Discrimination Ordinance Has More Teeth Than A Denture Provider

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

A law with teeth is more powerful than a pair of dentures. – On July 18, 2016, Mr. McDowell filed a complaint against Affordable Dentures for disability discrimination in violation of the Housing and the Places of Public Accommodation Ordinance. The County did a full investigation and made a finding that Mr. McDowell was the subject of discrimination on March 7, 2017, and with the facilitation of the Palm Beach Office of Equal Opportunity, entered into a Conciliation agreement

Are Doctors or Hospitals Required to Provide LIVE Interpreters for Deaf Patients?

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

By: Matthew Dietz I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug. Modern Hippocratic Oath You can’t always get what you want  You can’t always get what you want  You can’t always get what you… Read More »

Katy Daniel-Rivera wins $75,000 jury verdict from Keiser University

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

On April 19, 2017, a jury of eight people, none of whom were deaf or knew anyone who was deaf, awarded Katy Daniel-Rivera $ 75,000 and found that she was subject to intentional discrimination based on disability because she was not provided the opportunity to enter into Keiser University’s Radiologic Technology program.

Gregorio Reyes

SETTLEMENT UPDATE – Fired Because of Cancer

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

In August 2015, DIG represented Gregorio Reyes in a case where he claimed that he was terminated because he had cancer. This month, IDEX Corporation agreed to pay $380,000 to Mr. Reyes and furnish significant relief to resolve a disability discrimination lawsuit filed on his behalf by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The View from Here (17-02)

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

While I was in the hospital, I wanted nothing more than to be home. Once I was home, I felt derailed. Sidelined from life. The transition from the hospital back home was not easy for me. I felt homebound and unsure how to get back to my life as I once knew it. Everyday tasks that used to be so easy for me, were now so difficult.

4-F – Disabled and Unfit for Military Service

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Can you be drafted in the military if you have a disability?

What constitutes a disability that would make you ineligible to be drafted?

What is Substantial gainful Activity or SGA according to The Social Security Administration?

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

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 »

What makes me happy?

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

By: Lisa Goodman   This month’s topic for the blog is “what makes me happy” and nothing makes me more happy than writing this article while doing what makes me happy- being on vacation. I’m sure being on vacation makes most of you reading this article happy. How could it not?? It’s so nice… Read More »

A Landlord Cannot Force you to Declaw your Emotional Support Cat or Charge you a Cleaning Deposit for your Emotional Support Dog!

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

            For a person with depression and anxiety, an emotional support animal provides the impetus to wake up in the morning and go to school or work.  For Austin Cline, a student at Hillsborough Community College, Luna, his dog, gives him the ability to leave his parents house, go to college and then go… Read More »

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Making your home and property accessible for persons with disabilities following a hurricane

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

In times of disasters, most people focus on rebuilding, increasing accessibility for persons with disabilities does not register as important or necessary. However, not only are accessible alterations required by law, they are frequently covered by most insurance policies as compliance with code or ordinance of law.

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.

No Wheelchair Users Allowed in a Miami Beach Condo!

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Turns out that the least of Abbot House Condominium’s worries should have been whether Rachel Siler would not be able to get around in her wheelchair and would injure herself. Maybe instead o… Source: No Wheelchair Users Allowed in a Miami Beach Condo!

No Wheelchair Users Allowed in a Miami Beach Condo!

By Disability Independence Group, Inc. |

Turns out that the least of Abbot House Condominium’s worries should have been whether Rachel Siler would not be able to get around in her wheelchair and would injure herself. Maybe instead of assuming she was an invalid who sleeps with her personal assistant, the Condominium Board should have started with the premise that she had a job, a life, and a passion for helping others. The real liability was the failure to acknowledge Rachel Siler as the die-hard disability advocate who works to help others destroy attitudinal barriers and harmful stereotypes.