Matthew Stoloff's Blog

Here are some recommended blog articles you might have missed this summer. This is divided into three separate categories: special education, employment law, and animal law.

Special Education issues:

Kate Ahern’s Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs is among my favorite blogs. This summer, Kate published a few excellent blog articles about the latest assistive technologies, including :

• “iPossibilities for Those with Significant Specials Needs and Their Teams”;
• “iPad Case Options for Significant Needs”; and
• “Internet Based AAC Options.”

The WrightsLaw Way churn out high quality blog posts every single week about special education matters. This summer was no exception. You shouldn’t miss reading these outstanding articles:

• “‘Dyslexia is Not a Learning Disability’”;
• “Does Medication Make A Child Ineligible for an IEP?”;
• “Going Ballistic in a Public Forum — Not Good Form!”; and
• “When Teachers Bully.”

The Phoebe Prince case was in the news again this summer. I previously discussed the lessons of the Phoebe Prince case and why bullying issues should be addressed as quickly as possible. Slate’s blog article “What Really Happened to Phoebe Prince?” provides very provocative perspectives in a massive 18 page report (also available in pdf format here). My colleague Jennifer Laviano, a special education attorney in Connecticut, also chimes in: “Phoebe Prince, Bullying, Disabilities, and the Eggshell Skull.”

Since I’m an attorney who practices education and special education law in New Jersey, these two New Jersey based articles were illuminating: the New York Times’ “Little As They Try, Students Can’t Get A ‘D’ Here” and Christine Samuels’ “New Jersey’s High Numbers.”

Employment law issues:

Molly DiBianca and her colleagues on the Delaware Employment Law Blog are always keeping an eye out on the intersection between technology and employment law. Check out:

• “Blog Comments as Trial Evidence”;
• “Are you Monitoring Your Employees’ Facebook Pages?”; and
• “Notice to Job Applicants of Intent to Search Social Networks.”

This summer has seen some really fascinating employment law issues, including (1) whether employers must accommodate “stressed” or “anxious” employees and (2) whether employees who are bald might win a case under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

Animal law issues:

Animal lawyer, Daniel Meek, always stresses the importance of including pets in wills and establishing trusts for pets. This summer, Daniel Meek blogged, “Do You Have A Pet Power of Attorney?” He also blogged about whether a service animal is a pet or property in “Is A Guide Dog Property or Pet?”

Just a few weeks ago, the Justice Department revised the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. One of the key changes in the regulations was the definition of a ‘service animal,’ which I previously blogged about. Another important change in the ADA regulation is the prohibition of breed specific dog discrimination in “Justice Department Rules Against Dog Discrimination,” which is a victory for individuals with disabilities who depend on German Shepherds, rottweilers, and pit bulls as trained service dogs.

On April 29, 2010, a very special event took place at the Congregation B’nai Jeshurun synagogue in Short Hills, New Jersey. Actor Henry Winkler and actress Marlee Matlin stood next to each other on a raised podium and discussed how they first met, how their friendship had grown, and how each learned to overcome their own obstacles.

The evening was filled with wisdom, life stories, Jewish parables, jokes, and many laughs.

Two funny quotes got the audience roaring in laughter:

• When Henry played the ‘Fonz’ on the Happy Days television series, he received 50,000 fan mail each week. Many girls sent Henry jewelry, such as crucifixes. Henry learned something important: “Jewish girls do not give away jewelry.”

• A television director quipped: “Marlee is great! Is she going to be deaf the entire series?”

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