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.
Should You Transfer 529 College Savings to an ABLE Account?
By Robert B. Fleming, CELA ABLE accounts are relatively new savings options open to certain individuals with disabilities. As long as the funds are used “to improve the beneficiary’s health, [...]
Don’t Let an Emergency Find You Unprepared
By Elizabeth L. Gray, Esq. While snowstorms, fires and other disasters can plunge entire communities into chaos, the challenges for those with disabilities are often even more acute. But with [...]
Paid Family and Medical Leave: The Disability Angle
By TJ Sutcliffe, Director, Income & Housing Policy, The Arc The need for paid family and medical leave is universal. Nearly all of us at some point will need time [...]
Citizenship Status and Special Needs
By Barbara Isenhour, Esq. Citizenship issues can significantly complicate the often bewildering process of qualifying for special needs benefits. Each federal program has its own stringent citizenship regulations. In addition, [...]
Government Benefits for Vets with PTSD
By Kelly A. Thompson, Esq. While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs throughout the U.S. population, military veterans are particularly at risk. Some studies estimate that up to 30 percent of [...]
Travelers with Special Needs Learn Ins and Outs of Airports
Travel can be especially stressful for individuals with disabilities…or it can open doors. During October, members of the Special Needs Alliance participated in programs in Chicago, Houston and Phoenix that [...]
Crowdfunding Should Be Handled with Care
By Stephen W. Dale, Esq. Crowdfunding, with websites such as GoFundMe, has increasingly been used to raise money on behalf of individuals with disabilities. In such cases, family, friends and [...]
Changing Attitudes Towards Guardianship
By Scott Suzuki, Esq. Laws have to apply to everyone and this rigid standard can cause problems when dealing with the issue of "legal capacity," because capacity can’t be measured [...]
Special Ed Needs Flexibility
By Krista S. Peyton, Esq., Guest Blogger Families find it difficult to navigate the special ed system. In my experience, there’s a tendency for school districts to push a one-size-fits-all [...]
Avoiding SSI Reductions When An Adult With Disabilities Lives With Family
By Neal A. Winston, CELA When individuals with disabilities live with family members, it can complicate their eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Since SSI’s monthly cash payments are meant [...]
In Case You Missed This: Adopting A Child With Special Needs
In case you missed this: Adopting a Child with Special Needs By Mary L. Waltari, Esq. There's a growing need by children with disabilities for permanent, loving homes. If you think [...]
Where Can Service Animals Go?
By Richard A. Courtney, CELA In addition to performing helpful tasks, service dogs offer unconditional love and opportunities for social interaction. Service animals can change lives. My daughter, Melanie, who’s [...]
ABLE Accounts and SNTs: How to Choose?
The “ABLE” account is a relatively new planning tool that offers an individual with disabilities a tax-free savings option (similar to a 529 College Savings Plan) that does not interfere [...]
Buying A Vehicle With Funds From A Pooled Special Needs Trust
By Joanne Marcus, MSW, Executive Director, Commonwealth Community Trust Buying a vehicle is a big financial decision involving research and patience. For individuals receiving Medicaid and SSI (Supplemental Security Income), [...]
Appealing Medicaid And SSI Decisions: Know Your Rights
By Ann N. Butenhof, CELA & Judith L. Bomster, Esq. Medicaid and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) are often essential to quality of life for individuals with disabilities. So it can [...]
Supreme Court Special Ed Decision Leaves Questions Unanswered
By Cora A. Alsante, Esq. A recent decision by the United States Supreme Court regarding Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) has been widely praised. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) [...]
American Health Care Act Sparks Controversy
By Mary Alice Jackson, Esq. The American Health Care Act (ACHA), which has the objective of repealing and replacing major parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare), passed [...]
Recognizing and Preventing Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of Individuals with Disabilities and Older Adults
By Roxanne J. Chang, Esq. Individuals who have disabilities or who are older are at higher risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, [...]
Terminating a Special Needs Trust
By Charlene K. Quade, Esq. Individuals establish special needs trusts (SNTs) to protect assets intended to supplement means-tested government benefits for a sole beneficiary, and to preserve the individual’s eligibility [...]
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: A Time to Reflect
By Elisa Dillard Rainey, CELA Since 1987, when President Ronald Reagan declared March to be “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,” this has been a time to celebrate progress and recognize the [...]