From recent experience in New York guardianship courts on applications where individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities may have some higher functioning capabilities, I find judges are often frustrated with the current 17-A guardianship law as it cannot be tailored to an individual’s needs and supports to enable them to retain certain autonomy and decision-making rights. While…

by Arshi Pal, Esq. The pandemic has been a real eye-opener for many parents. As we transitioned to remote learning, many parents became part-time instructors to ensure that their children engaged in instruction and completed assignments. Many parents witnessed firsthand the struggles their children were having with paying attention, completing assignments, understanding concepts and communicating…

by Marion M. Walsh, Esq. In 1990, Congress officially established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week.  The week runs through Sunday, October 10, which is World Mental Health Day. Mental Illness Awareness Week assumes more relevance today than ever, due to challenges raised by the pandemic and increased isolation and…

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP As the school year begins, school districts in New York State will be examining new policies on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and parents should be aware of these policies.  As a first step, in April 2021, the Board of Regents released a draft Framework on Diversity,…

By Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education / Special Needs Advocate As schools reopen in the coming weeks, all have worries about the COVID-19 virus and its highly transmissible Delta variant. School administrators continue to plan for the safety of students and school personnel and develop new policies and protocols amid continuing concerns about the COVID-19 virus…

By Marion Walsh, Esq. While school districts will likely continue in-person learning this Fall, many school districts and private schools may mandate masks for both staff and students. As of Tuesday, July 27, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its Guidance for K-12 schools across the country. The CDC now recommends all…

By Sandi Rosenbaum and Marion Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP It is important for parents and students to understand when the entitlement to special education ends.  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that states must provide a free appropriate public education to all students with disabilities residing in the state between the ages…

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Littman Krooks is a long-time sponsor of NAMIWalks and has participated for the past five years, in torrential rain, in sunshine, and virtually in 2020. Our “Team LK Marion’s Marchers” will be taking part in the 2021 NAMIWalks Your Way: A United Day of Hope, on May…

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) protect the rights of students with disabilities in public schools. Often, parents have confusion about the two laws, as there is some overlap, and the terms and protections can…

By Sandi Rosenbaum, Educational Advocate and Marion Walsh, Esq., Partner, Littman Krooks LLP Parents of students starting kindergarten in the fall may want to keep their child in the preschool program they attend, rather than having them transition to kindergarten. This is especially true for children with disabilities, who have birthdays in November and December. …