Who doesn't love summer vacation? But when a child has special needs, all that free time brings challenges. Youngsters who thrive on routine can find schedule changes disorienting. Some may become socially isolated without classes to attend. And, of course, if their life skills and academic work aren't being consistently reinforced, months of hard-won progress [...]
Barbara Marquand, nerdwallet.com
There is an increasing trend to admit Medicare beneficiaries for "observation" as outpatients rather than admitting them as regular hospital patients. This practice may prevent patients from obtaining proper inpatient and post-hospital care under Medicare. Since many individuals with disabilities depend on Medicare as their primary health insurance coverage, this practice can have a serious [...]
A fairly recent court decision, In the Matter of Mark C.H., involved the obligations of the trustee of a special needs trust, and serves as the focus of this issue of The Voice. The case involved an accounting proceeding brought by the co-trustees of a supplemental needs trust established for Mark, an autistic man living [...]
Kevin Graham, QuickenLoans.com
By Robert B. Fleming, CELA & Dennis S. Voorhees, CELA Technology is reshaping home and workplace--and law offices are no exception. Software, cloud computing and mobile devices have introduced convenience and efficiencies that benefit families with special needs. Assistive Technology Technical advances are making it easier to communicate directly with clients who are nonverbal. One [...]
This file is part of the Documents Library.
This file is part of the Documents Library.
This file is part of the Documents Library.
Any child can be a victim of bullying or harassment, but research has shown that children with special needs are both more likely to be bullied or harassed and also more likely to be seriously harmed by it. In addition, children with special needs may be less likely to be able to seek help to [...]
Tara Siegel Bernard, New York Times
By Trudy R. Jacobson, Senior Executive Officer, Development & Marketing, The Arc Hosted by: The Arc, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), and Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) Promotional Support Provided by: Sibling Leadership Network [...]
Kelly A. Thompson, SpouseBuzz.com
By Ron M. Landsman, Esq. Special needs trusts (SNTs) enable funds to be saved on behalf of an individual with disabilities without affecting their eligibility for means-tested programs such as SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and Medicaid. Since income generated within trusts is often subject to high tax rates, it’s sometimes assumed that the same is [...]
By Margaret Graham, Esq. March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Owing to parent advocacy and landmark legislation, communities have become significantly more responsive to the needs of people such as my daughter, Emily, who has cerebral palsy and autism. But challenges remain, and families continue to band together throughout the U.S. to help one another, [...]
By Neal A. Winston, CELA According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), over seven million individuals currently require assistance with their monthly SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or Social Security Retirement, Survivors and Dependents Insurance (RSDI) benefits. For that reason, SSA has the Representative Payee Program, through which it authorizes family members, friends, government agencies, and [...]
Special Needs Planning for Moving to a New State By Wendy H. Sheinberg, CELA No one enjoys moving; it's hard work and involves lots of detail (not to mention all of those boxes). Managing the transition for someone with special needs can be difficult; it's wise to begin planning as soon as you begin seriously [...]
Download an audio recording of the February 9, 2015 Armchair Chat
By Morris Klein, CELA In December, amidst much euphoria, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the ABLE Act of 2014 (Achieving a Better Life Experience). ABLE empowers states to create programs enabling individuals with certain disabilities to establish tax-free savings accounts modeled after the popular 529 college savings plans that, if used for [...]
As lawyers in elder and disability practices, Special Needs Alliance members have many experiences that feed our empathy and understanding, but not all of us have parents with dementia or a child with a disability. One thing we have learned, though, over many years of practice, is that if you have seen one child or [...]