Author Archives: Imp Orter
Philanthropy Miami 2014 Shark Tank Competition
We WON! The LEAVE A LEGACY© Philanthropy Miami 2014 Shark Tank competition finals were held on April 16, 2014. Five finalists presented “Shark Tank” style to five community leaders. The competition started with 50 teams that submitted a written proposal on how a unique partnership could solve a community wide problem. Our project is… Read More »
Litigation – Vindicating a right to an administrative option – McGuire v. Peabody Hotel
Florida now recognizes that when a person is not treated equal because of his or her disability,– this is discrimination, and is actionable under the Florida Civil Rights Act. In 1968, at the age of seven years old, Kevin McGuire, was hit by a drunk driver and was paralyzed from the neck down. By 1970,… Read More »
The View from a DIG Intern
As a law student interning with DIG, I spoke with a client recently and I was frustrated to learn that there are attorneys who disregard their duty to communicate with clients who are deaf. When someone is already in a difficult situation, it’s hard to believe that a lawyer would make the situation even… Read More »
Guardianship – Part 2
Florida is one of the few states that has developed a process specifically designed to meet the needs of persons with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES—in Florida that process is GUARDIAN ADVOCATE. There are a few differences between GUARDIAN ADVOCATE and GUARDIANSHIP as I described in last month’s newsletter. First, Guardian Advocacy is limited to persons with… Read More »
CONGRATULATIONS SHARON
On March 2, 2014, Sharon Langer was one of eight recipients to receive the 2014 Women of Impact Award. This award is presented by the Women’s History Coalition of Miami-Dade County. Sharon was given a beautiful sculpture in the image of Julia Tuttle, the founder of the City of Miami. For more information on this organization, please… Read More »
Art and More – By Chris Stein
Indecision by Chris Stein Unequivocally Wishy‐Washy Maybe? May Be? Do you see me? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes no maybe. Maybe maybe? Do you see me As affliction? Probably Maybe? May Be Probable? Improbably Maybe? Maybe Probably? Do you see me With affection? Probably Don’t know. Probably Not sure. Probably Too scared. Probably Can’t say…. Read More »
Siblings Corner – A sibling’s perspective
I would not be the person I am today if I did not have my brother, Josh. He has an extensive movie collection, loves going bowling and doing arts and crafts and has a very busy social life. He works bagging groceries at a grocery store and also volunteers at a nearby hospital. From… Read More »
Kids Crusader Corner – March 2014.
Welcome back to Kids Crusaders. As we head into the middle of March, I’m beginning to wonder if upstate New York has only 2 seasons now. Winter and winter, ugh. The sun did manage to make an appearance today though so maybe there’s a small chance. Last month I wrote about some of the… Read More »
Americans with Disabilities Act Lawsuits – Frequently Asked Questions
By: Matt Dietz Every year, across the United States, thousands of lawsuits are filed that compel compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, most to ensure that persons with mobility disabilities could have equal use and enjoyment of businesses in our community. While these lawsuits are often the key to community access for persons… Read More »
Unite 4:good
By: Debbie Dietz On March 5, 2014, Sharon and Debbie attended a lunch by unite4:good. Unite4:good is an evolutionary global movement whose mission is to unite us all in bringing more good into the world. The founder, Anthony Melikhov spoke to us about his vision. He is creating a social positive… Read More »
VICTORY for the Fischers and Sorenson the Dog
On Thursday, March 13, 2014, Judge Robert Scola vindicated the Deborah Fischer’s right to use a service animal, Sorenson the Dog, in her home because of her obvious need of this trained animal. See Order – Omnibus DE 283. In this case, her condominum association sued Mr. and Mrs. Fischer in Federal Court to… Read More »
Teacher with Multiple Sclerosis denied Service Dog in her own home.
Deborah Fisher lives with her husband Larry at Sabal Palm Condominiums in Broward County, Florida. Deb has lived at Sabal Palms for the past twelve years. She lives with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Deb’s multiple sclerosis affects her ability to walk and her fine motor skills. It progressed from walking with a limp,… Read More »
A six year old’s fight to have his seizure dog at school.
Disability Independence Group filed a federal lawsuit against the Broward School Board, alleging the district discriminated against Anthony Merchante, a first grader, for imposing too many barriers to bringing his service dog to his elementary school. Anthony Marchante lives with cerebral palsy and is highly prone to seizures. His medium-sized terrier service dog,… Read More »
Accessible Equipment in Miami-Dade County Parks
Eliminating barriers and promoting inclusion at Miami-Dade County Parks By: Rachel Goldstein As a fellow for the University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development’s 2013-2014 Emerging Transformational Leadership Program (“ETLP”), I am working with other professionals in the Disability Rights Community to transform systems of care for individuals with disabilities. Our goal… Read More »
Best Buddies Seminar
Best Buddies Seminar – by Stephanie Woodward In January I was invited to speak at Best Buddies Florida about lobbying and the importance of self-advocacy. I met with teams of Best Buddies Ambassadors to discuss current disability rights issues that they could talk about with their representatives in the Florida Legislature. Since each team… Read More »
Guardianship – by Sharon Langer
Do I need to file for a Guardianship for my 18 year old child who suffers from a disability??? That is an important question and one that troubles many parents and caregivers. A GUARDIANSHIP is a legal proceeding where a guardian is appointed by a COURT to exercise some or all the legal rights… Read More »
The Disability of Relativity – By Chris Stein
I’m often asked what it’s like to be disabled. At first, what appeared to be a very complex question is actually quite simple. Asking me what it’s like to live in a chair is no different than asking me what it’s like to live period. It’s easy; it’s difficult. It’s happy; it’s sad. It’s… Read More »
Julie’s Kids Crusader’s Corner
Welcome back to the Kids Crusaders corner. This year has been off to a wild and crazy start. Depending on where you live, if you are anything like me, you are probably already contemplating 1001 ways to (humanely) terminate the groundhog for seeing his shadow. Another 6 weeks of winter. I am SO… Read More »
Philadthropy
This month, Disability Independence Group was lucky enough to be chosen to participate in the University of Miami’s PhilADthropy event. Run through the School of Communication, PhilADthropy is a 25 hour event where undergraduate students work together in groups under the direction of a team leader from the community in order to provide… Read More »
