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Special Education Advocacy
Board of Regents Announces Expanded Diploma Path for Students with Disabilities
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., and Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education Advocate On Monday, December 11, 2017, the New York State Board of Regents announced that they are expanding the Safety Net Option for students with disabilities to earn a local diploma. The expansion took effect on December 12, 2017 on an emergency basis, beginning with…
Holiday Wishes
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP All of us at Littman Krooks wish you a holiday season filled with joy, happiness and success. We know how difficult this season can be for those with disabilities or illnesses who are alone, sad or isolated and for their caregivers. During this time of year, especially,…
Disclosing Disabilities in the Workplace
Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Whether to disclose an invisible disability to a potential employer poses a challenge. Disability information is confidential and potential employees may be concerned about discrimination during the hiring process if they disclose a disability. While both employees and employers can benefit from disclosure and understanding, disclosing can also…
Proposed Legislation Would Weaken Americans with Disabilities Act
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Since 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has provided strong protections to people with disabilities, vastly improving the accessibility of buildings. Stores, restaurants and other businesses built ramps and made other accessibility changes because the law required the changes and the owners knew that courts would…
New Investigation Shows that NYC Students are not Receiving Services Under RSA Voucher Program
Most students with disabilities require related services to make progress towards their educational goals. A student’s Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) documents the related services that the student’s IEP team recommends. The School District must ensure that the student receives the full mandate of services. Frequently, and particularly within the New York City Department of Education, the…
DeVos Rescinds 72 Guidance Documents for Students with Disabilities
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP On October 2, 2017, the United States Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) rescinded 72 Guidance Documents which explained regulatory obligations of school districts for students with disabilities. This rescission has caused a public outcry due to its suddenness and lack of…
Lawsuit Highlights Need for Appropriate Bussing for Students with Disabilities
By Erica Fitzgerald, Esq., & Stacy M. Sadove, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP On Tuesday October 5, 2017, the Appellate Division, First Department issued a unanimous decision overruling an earlier decision by Justice Alice Schlesinger in an Article 78 proceeding between the Public Advocate of the City of New York and the City Department of Education Chancellor…
When Bullying Turns Deadly
by Stacy M. Sadove, Esq., and Erica M. Fitzgerald, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP On Wednesday, September 28, 2017, an 18–year-old student at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in the Bronx allegedly stabbed two fellow students. This resulted in one student’s death and left the second student in critical condition. Early reports indicate that…
What You Should Know About New York State Paid Family Leave
Beginning January 1, 2018, private employees in New York State will be covered by the state’s paid family leave program. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the family leave bill into law in 2016, along with a $15 minimum wage bill. The governor’s office described the legislation as the nation’s most comprehensive and strongest paid family leave…
Special Needs Planning and SNTs: What Should a Trust Not Pay For?
A supplemental needs trust is an important tool that can be used to make sure a child with special needs has access to the services and care he or she requires. Establishing a supplemental needs trust as a part of an overall financial plan is one step in providing a solid base of lifetime support. Once a child turns 18, his or her income will be used to determine eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Earning too much will lead to the loss of these important benefits. However, funds paid into a supplemental needs trust will not be counted as income and, therefore, will allow an individual with special needs to retain public benefits.
