Category Archives: Uncategorized
Disney World*****My Holiday vacation
By: Sharon Langer Now that I am an active member of the DIG legal team, I view the world through a different lens. I find that I cannot visit a restaurant, a hotel or even Disney World without looking around to see if those places are universally accessible to all. My trip over the… Read More »
Kids Crusaders Corner
By Julie Fioravanti This is Part 1 of Julie’s story. Stay tuned for more in the next newsetter. Happy New Year everyone! We are off to a chilly start here in upstate New York with temperatures hovering at -8 degrees (not counting the wind chills). So to warm things up a little, I thought I… Read More »
Have Dog – Will Travel
How to travel with your service or emotional support animal For many, travelling without their service animals or emotional support animal is not an option. However, in many cases, the concern and fear of being denied access is enough to keep some from traveling with their animal. Basic Facts: There is no certification, registration,… Read More »
Is there a right – to – die?
By: Aaron Carter Bates, Esq. On November 2, 2014, the following headline hit the newswires, Brittany Maynard, right-to-die advocate, ends her life.” Mrs. Maynard’s story had captured the nation’s attention in the weeks leading up to ending her life via assisted suicide, but why? What made Mrs. Maynard’s story more compelling than the countless… Read More »
A Mother of an Adult with Down Syndrome’s Worst Nightmare
A Mother of an Adult with Down Syndrome’s Worst Nightmare Mr. Dietz, I have just found a note hanging on my door that Reflections will not be renewing my lease. my worse fear, Karl has been hiding in his room since this has all began. the officer had told the Manager that this was… Read More »
Accessibility and Holiday Shopping
Accessibility and holiday shopping By Rachel Goldstein The holiday season is upon us… cold weather (luckily not here in Miami), good food, time with family and friends and of course, great shopping and holiday deals at all of our favorite stores. Many retailers this year are even planning to open on Thanksgiving Day instead… Read More »
A CALL TO ACTION SUMMIT
A CALL TO ACTION SUMMIT By: Sharon Langer Attorneys agree that accessibility is not only the law but a good practice. On November 7, 2014, 35 attorneys from Miami Dade’s local Bar Associations gathered to learn about how to choose venues for their functions that are accessible and welcoming to all. Why is this… Read More »
Taiwanese Delegation Visit
International Visitor Leadership Program Taiwanese Delegation Visit DIG was honored to spend the afternoon with Tarry Lee, Chun-Chieh Lin and Grace Chang. They came to the United States from Taiwan to learn about protecting the rights of the disabled. They were visitors to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State’s… Read More »
Medical Model v. Social Model of Disability
By: Aaron Carter Bates, Esq. A big issue in the disability rights community is self-determination and representation within key community stakeholders. In the disability arena there are two models organizations follow: the medical model and social models of disability. An organization that ascribes to the medical model compares a disability to a fatal disease… Read More »
Disability History and Awareness Weeks
Disability History and Awareness Weeks By: Rachel Goldstein On June 13, 2008, in large part due to the advocacy efforts of Florida Youth Council, Governor Crist signed into law Senate Bill 856, creating section 1003.4205 of the Florida Statutes, entitled “Disability History and Awareness Instruction”. This law requires school districts to designate the first… Read More »
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
By: Jonathan Cohn The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial was just opened in Washington D.C. The Memorial, which sits at the corner of Washington Ave. and 2nd Street, is the first of its kind in the nation’s capital to honor both living and deceased disabled war heroes. The project was initially proposed in 1998… Read More »
Shark Tank Update…
By: Debbie Dietz We have finished filming the video and we are now in the editing stage. The video looks amazing! We want to thank all of our actors. They did an amazing job. Coming soon: our wallet card commercial. You can order your own wallet card for free on our website at: /wallet-cards/…. Read More »
VISITABILITY
By: Sharon Langer I LOVE THIS WORD, “VISITABILITY,” and I am hoping that it will become the next buzz word for the idea that universal design of buildings is not just good, but great. There is a growing (slowly growing but still growing) trend in this country to change construction practices so that virtually… Read More »
Paws in the Court
Paws in the Court 11th Judicial Circuit of FL and Children’s Courthouse & Juvenile Justice Ctr This project is a collaboration between the Humane Society, Volunteers, Court Teams and Administrative Office of the Courts. This project will provide victims and witnesses comfort and reassurance during court appearances including depositions and trials. Research has shown that… Read More »
Art and More
By: Chris Stein Chris has started his own blog! Next month we will have the link so that you can follow Chris.
Kids Crusaders Corner
By Julie Fioravanti One of the greatest joys I have learned on my journey of raising a child with special needs is the magic of “paying things forward.” The act of doing something for someone who least expects it, without expecting anything in return. Often on this journey there is great joy in knowing… Read More »
Accessibility Features of the iPhone 6 and iOS 8
By: Rachel Goldstein Apple just put its two new iPhone models, the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, on the market and introduced the Apple Watch, which is set to be released in early 2015. Built-in accessibility features and the ability to download thousands of specialized apps have made the iPhone a popular smartphone… Read More »
Know Your Legal Rights
By: Matthew Dietz On Saturday, September 20th, I had the opportunity to put on my professor hat and teach Criminal Procedure 101 to a very eager class of persons at the University of Miami. No, not for law students at the Law School, but instead for a class teens and young adults who have… Read More »
Shark Tank Update…
By: Debbie Dietz We have finished filming the video and we are now in the editing stage. The video looks amazing! We want to thank all of our actors. They did an amazing job. You can order your own wallet card for free on our website at: /wallet-cards/. Just fill out the online… Read More »
ABLE Act of 2013: Update
By: Aaron Carter Bates On Friday, September 19th, Federal lawmakers announced that a deal was reached to permit The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2013 (S. 313/H.R.647) to move forward in Congress. The ABLE Act was introduced in 2013 and, with a model based on IRC 529 college savings plans, aims… Read More »
