Tag Archives: ada
Disability: The Market You’re Missing Part III
By: Rachel Goldstein For the last part of my series I am going to address how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to service animals and the responsibilities of businesses to allow service animals into their facilities. The ADA defines “service animal” as limited to a dog that is individually trained to do… Read More »
“High functing” people (or the insane) cannot drink hooch in Texas!
By: Matthew Dietz “We are more than happy to have you all with us to experance a bit of TEXAS. Unfortunately the Law in Texas does not allow us to serve alcohol drinks to high functing individuals.” Kelly @ Stampede Houston Becky Dowling runs a program in the Metro Atlanta area called “Just” People,… Read More »
A Note from Matt
Back to School – This graphic is the symbol of accessibility at Florida State University. It reflects the importance of a free and equal education for all persons with disabilities, which is essential to ensure that there are persons with disabilities who are leaders in society, including, lawyers, doctors, teachers, politicians, and every single… Read More »
The 25th Anniversary of the ADA – Accessible Living
By: Zachary Trautenberg On July 26th the Americans with Disabilities Act will be turning 25 years old. The Americans with Disabilities Act is a law designed to make the United States accessible for persons with disabilities. Originally enacted in 1990 it has been updated over the 25 year period. The Americans with Disabilities Act… Read More »
Casey Martin – Disability Accommodations in Sports!
The ADA has had an overarching impact on all aspects of life, including competitive sports. Casey Martin, a professional golfer, highlighted the true impact of the ADA in the sports world in 2001 when he won his lawsuit against the PGA tour under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The PGA Tour, the main organizer… Read More »
IT’S THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADA
By: Lester Langer OVER THE LAST SEVERAL editions of our newsletter we have discussed mediation. But did you know mediation is available under the ADA Mediation Program? This is an informal process but you have to request it after you file your complaint. Since its inception the program has mediated more than 4000 complaints… Read More »
A Note From Matt
So on a sunny day 25 years ago … President George H.W. Bush stood on the South Lawn and declared a new American Independence Day. “With today’s signing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act,” he said, “every man, woman and child with a disability can now pass through once-closed doors into a bright… Read More »
Kids Crusaders
By: Julie Fioravanti Welcome to this month’s edition of Kids Crusaders as we celebrate the ADA, a law that went into effect 25 years ago on July 26, 1990. My son was born in April of 1991. While we knew from the day he was born we were going to be faced with challenges,… Read More »
Litigation: Cruise Ship Accessibility After 25 Years!
By: Matthew Dietz Twenty years ago, accessible cruising was an impossibility. Notwithstanding that a cruise ship – a resort at sea – was the ideal vacation with everything at one’s fingertips — for a person with a disability it was just impossible. There were no accessible rooms, no accessible bathrooms, public rooms on different… Read More »
Rotary Club of Harris County– Meeting their community’s needs
By Sharon Langer The Rotary Club of Harris County Georgia has a 17 year history of service to their community. I was privileged to join them this month at a summer breakfast meeting and hear about a unique project they started for persons with disabilities. I am hoping that by writing about this project… Read More »
ADA 25th Anniversary – The State of the Florida Bar and Courts
Persons with disabilities should not be “inspiring” or be required to “overcome” their disability to be a member of the Florida Bar. No other population needs to proffer its superstars to become eligible to be a lawyer. The ADA’s intent was to open the door and create a level playing field so anyone who has the intellectual ability and required ethical standards to be able to practice law should be able to do so. As a profession, we need to examine our practice, our rules, and our profession to remove attitudinal barriers and accept each other as equals.
Pet-Friendly Hurricane Evacuation Centers in Miami
By: Monica Sabates Hurricane season in Miami-Dade County is a force to be reckoned with. The season’s span between June 1st and November 30th leaves a considerable amount of time for a hurricane to strike suddenly and swiftly in one’s vicinity. Being mindful and prepared for what may come is the first step to… Read More »
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.
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 »
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 »
Owning an Accessible Home
Owning your home can give you a sense of security and the ability to create a sanctuary. It allows you to have control and freedom. If done right a person with a disability should feel the least disabled in their own home.
Litigation Update: Anthony gets to keep Stevie in School!
By: Matthew Dietz On February 10, 2014, United States District Court Judge Beth Bloom ruled that Broward County School District violated Anthony Merchante’s rights, as a child with a disability, by denying his right to have a seizure alert animal accompany him at his elementary school. Anthony’s mother, Monica, requested that the school allow… Read More »
Litigation: Pledger v. SAS Transportation
By: Matthew Dietz Litigation – Pledger v. SAS Transportation Jeff and Suzanne Pledger love to go on cruises. Jeff is blind and he uses a guide dog named Joelle. As an advocate for persons with visual impairment, Jeff is the past President of Verizon’s Disabilities Issues Awareness Leaders (DIAL), which provides support and resources… Read More »
Air Travel with a Disability
By: Aaron Carter Bates, Esq. Speaking from personal experience, one of the most difficult situations I regularly encounter, as both an attorney and an individual with a disability, is air travel. Unbeknownst to most, air travel is one of the least accessible day-to-day accommodations encountered by individuals with disabilities. As such, one of the… Read More »
