Loud & Clear: Family Conversations is written by our member attorneys and guests for individuals with disabilities and their families. We tackle the day-to-day and long-range issues that affect the quality of life. Readers are welcome to comment on the discussion, though we can not answer legal questions here. For answers to specific legal questions, please find an attorney in our Directory.
Government Programs for Children With Special Needs
For parents of a child with special needs, the support and resources needed can feel overwhelming. The Special Needs Alliance is a national alliance of attorneys for special needs planning.While some resources vary by state, there are government programs that can help alleviate some of the most urgent issues. The following provides an overview of the most popular offerings.
How ABLE Accounts Can Work Effectively With Section 8 Housing
This blog post discusses ABLE accounts and how they work with Section 8 Housing to provide affordable and adequate housing for individuals with special needs.
Government Benefits for Vets with PTSD
This blog post highlights the devastating impact post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has on many veterans, and the resources available from the government and other organizations to help reduce the pain and suffering brought on by PTSD.
COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know
As more people are exposed to COVID-19, questions about testing availability and effectiveness are creating some confusion for individuals. The best way to prevent and slow the transmission of COVID-19 is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads and take the necessary precautions in the case of exposure and/or a positive test result.
Assisted Housing Options for Adults With Special Needs
For many families, providing adequate housing for a child with special needs can be fairly straightforward, particularly if the child remains in the primary residence with one or both parents. [...]
How to Assess What’s Important to Families with Individuals with Special Needs in a New City
Of all the life changes we experience, moving to a new city can undoubtedly be one of the most stressful and challenging situations. For families with a loved one [...]
Setting Up a Small Group Home
When contemplating an ideal environment for a loved one with a disability, a small group home is often considered, given its many benefits. In the majority of instances, families [...]
Naming a trustee for your loved one
This post was authored by attorney Jefferey Yussman, Esq. of Yussman Special Needs Law & Wyatt Estate Planning, Louisville, KY. Jeff focuses his practice on estate planning, special needs trust [...]
Tips on Staying Organized when Managing the Affairs of a Loved One with Disabilities
This post was authored by attorney Bryn Poland, Esq. of Mayo & Poland, PLLC, Baytown, TX. Bryn focuses her practice on estate planning, special needs trust planning and administration, Medicaid [...]
The Value of An Attorney’s Network
Special needs attorneys have many kinds of legal expertise, but they also work with a range of other kinds of professionals to help them meet their clients’ needs. This article [...]
Helping Your Special Needs Child with Employment
This post was authored by attorney Tara Anne Pleat, CELA of Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC, Clifton Park, NY. Tara focuses her practice in the areas of special needs estate planning [...]
Eight Ways to Help Your Child with Special Needs Succeed with Online Learning
This post was authored by Meredith Downing, manager of learning at Wonderschool. She started her career as a preschool teacher and enjoys designing learning experiences for children and the adults [...]
Millennials and Estate Planning
This post was authored by attorney Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro, CELA of Hook Law Center, P.C., Virginia Beach, VA. Shannon focuses her practice on elder law, special needs planning, estate and trust [...]
Take Full Advantage of VA Benefits for Children with Disabilities
The Veterans Administration offers several benefit programs for the families of former members of the uniformed service. These lesser known benefits could help your veterans’ children with disabilities. When Michael [...]
Voices of Experience on Choosing a Group Home
Loud & Clear: Family Conversations tackles the day-to-day and long-range issues that affect the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. This post offers guidance from an [...]
Managing Virtual Learning for Students with Special Needs
This post was authored by attorney Amy C. O’Hara, CELA of Littman Krooks, LLP, New York. Amy focuses her practice on special needs planning, elder law, trusts and estates, and [...]
The Pandemic Is Tough on Caregivers
This post was authored by Margaret A. Graham, Esq., of Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman & Sale, PC, Albuquerque, New Mexico. She focuses her practice on special needs and elder law, and is caregiver [...]
How to plan for retirement when you have a child with special needs
This post focuses on the importance of proactive retirement planning for those with a special needs dependent. Planning for retirement can be one of the most rewarding life changes parents [...]
Understanding COVID-19 and the Pandemic
This post was authored by Roxanne J. Chang, Esq., Plymouth, Michigan. She brings years of direct care, clinical psychology and therapeutic program consulting to her special needs/elder law practice. She serves on SNA’s Board of Directors.
Special Education During COVID – What You Need to Know
This post was authored by Linda M. Gorczynski, Esq., of Hickman & Lowder Co. LPA, Cleveland, Ohio. She focuses her practice on special education law.