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.
Having Your Say: What if Advance Directives Are Ignored?
By Professor Kim Dayton Making medical and financial choices for an aging parent or other adult with special needs can be stressful. Health care directives and financial powers of attorney [...]
Making the Most of Summer Vacation
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 [...]
Attorneys Use Technology to Better Serve Clients
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 [...]
SNTs, Qualified Disability Trusts and ABLE Accounts: Slashing Tax Liability
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 [...]
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: Opportunities and Misconceptions
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 [...]
Understanding the Role of Representative Payee
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, [...]
Crossing State Lines
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 [...]
New Savings Accounts May Fund Care for Individuals with Disabilities
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 [...]
When Good Fortune Means Upheaval: Careful Spend Downs Can Preserve Vital Benefits
By Carol S. Battaglia, Esq. Medicaid and SSI (Supplemental Security Income) often provide the bedrock of economic security for individuals with disabilities. But these needs-based programs require that recipients have [...]
New Congress: Opportunities for New Champions
By Annie Acosta, Director of Fiscal and Family Support Policy, The Arc The midterm elections are over and many wonder how they will impact the disability community in the 114th [...]
Congress Passes ABLE Act
Savings Accounts to Fund Care for Individuals with Disabilities With overwhelming support, Congress has passed the ABLE Act of 2014 (Achieving a Better Life Experience), providing a new opportunity for [...]
Congress Helps Vets Safeguard Security of Kids with Disabilities
A little-publicized provision in the recently passed bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will help military veterans safeguard quality of life for children with disabilities after a parent’s death. Military [...]
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning Launches Website!
By Robin L. Shaffert, Senior Executive Officer, and Liz Mahar, Program Manager, Individual and Family Support, The Arc The Center for Future Planning is pleased to announce the launch of [...]
Government Benefits as a Foundation for Special Needs Planning
By Barbara Isenhour, Esq. Navigating the acronym-ridden maze of government benefits is tough and misconceptions abound. Families may be unaware of the full range of options available to individuals with [...]
Preparing Seniors for Long-Distance Travel
By Cindy Schaeffer, M.S., R.N., A.P.N., Travel Care & Logistics Inc. As a flight RN, I have assisted hundreds of seniors with air travel over the past 12 years, and [...]
The Arc’s Chapters – Making the Future More Secure for Families Across the Country
By Marty Ford, Senior Executive Officer, Public Policy, The Arc Aging parents of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) often worry about what the future will hold for their [...]
Through a Parent’s Lens
When a Child Has Special Needs By Mary Schmitt T. Smith, Esq. As a special needs attorney and a Mom of two adult sons with disabilities, I bring an added [...]
How to Assess Future Life Needs for a Loved One with a Disability
By Joanne Marcus, MSW, Executive Director, Commonwealth Community Trust The first months, or even years, after receiving the diagnosis are filled with unexpected questions and challenges when you have a [...]
A College Freshman with Learning Differences
In summer 2013, Brian L., who has learning differences, was interviewed about his recent graduation from high school and eagerly anticipated college experience. Here, he and his mom describe the [...]
SSDI Is Often a Lifeline
By Rebecca L. Berg, CELA Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program offering monthly cash payments and eventual Medicare coverage to individuals with long-term disabilities that prevent them [...]