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Summer Blog Post Round-up

Matthew Stoloff — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:05:25 +0000

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.

Summer Blog Post Round-up originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on August 23, 2010.

An Evening with Henry Winkler and Marlee Matlin

Matthew Stoloff — Sat, 01 May 2010 13:15:49 +0000

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?”

Henry Winkler, best known for his role as ‘The Fonz’ on Happy Days, is the son of German parents who fled Germany before World War II began. When Henry attended school, the school headmaster asked Henry why he wasn’t doing so well academically, Henry replied, “That makes two of us.” Henry discovered that he had dyslexia when he was 31 years old. Until this discovery, Henry had spent 1/3 of his time wondering what was wrong with him, 1/3 of his time wondering what wasn’t wrong with him, and 1/3 of his time feeling ashamed of himself. Although he didn’t say it at the event, Henry is known to have said that “‘The Fonz’ was everything that I wasn’t. He was everyone I wanted to be.”

Marlee Matlin, best known for her Oscar winning performance in “Children of A Lesser God,” as well as her performance in “The West Wing” and most recently, “Dancing With The Stars” and “The L Word,” became deaf when she was 18 months old. Initially disturbed by this discovery, Marlee’s parents contemplated the worst. However, Marlee’s parents decided to treat Marlee as normally as possible; and for a time, Marlee had imagined herself as a deaf version of Marcia Brady.

Coincidentally, both Henry and Marlee had a desire to act at a young age. Despite his dyslexic condition, Henry worked hard to memorize his lines. Similarly, no one could have anticipated that Marlee, a deaf person, would become one of the most sought after actress in Hollywood. Both learned to accept and transcend their disabilities.

The two had met when Marlee was just 12 years old. At the time, Marlee was performing at the Center on Deafness in Illinois. Henry and his wife attended the performance. Henry remarked that he had cried during the performance because he saw someone who could perform better than he. On a more serious note, Henry said, “When I saw Marlee, I saw talent. I didn’t see deafness.” Marlee’s family had asked Henry to discourage Marlee from pursuing acting as a career, but Henry refused to do that.

Who could have predicted that Henry and Marlee’s lives would be so intertwined since Henry first met Marlee when she was only 12 years old? After winning her Oscar for “Children of A Lesser God” at the young age of 21, Marlee knocked on Henry’s door and was invited by the Winkler family to stay for the weekend. Marlee ended up staying with the Winkler family for two-and-a-half years. They had developed a very close friendship and remain good friends today.

Henry and Marlee also talked about negativity and the hardships that they and other people with disabilities experience. They emphasized hard work, perseverance, confidence, and following your dreams.

In the end, Henry emphasized that disability “doesn’t define you. It doesn’t stop you from being magnificent.” Marlee signed, “Everyone here has a gift to share.” Indeed, neither Henry nor Marlee would have had the opportunity to share their stories with us if it weren’t for their challenges.

Someone asked Marlee, “Why do you choose to sign?” Marlee replied, “Because I want to be heard as loud as possible.” But perhaps Marlee’s most powerful words were these: “The world may think I live in a world of silence, but silence is the last thing the world will hear from me.”

I thank Henry and Marlee for a memorable evening. Someday, I hope that these two will write a book together about their friendship, their stories about overcoming obstacles, and their advocacy efforts on behalf of people with disabilities.

And many thanks to Jack Jason, Marlee’s long time interpreter, and the Hearing Loss Association of New Jersey for providing both sign language interpreters and Communication Assisted Real Time Captioning (CART) at this event.

*Notes: More information about Henry’s Hank Zipzer book series for children can be found here. A television network company has yet to pick up Marlee’s awesome television concept, “My Deaf Family,” but the 10 minute pilot is available on Youtube as part of a publicity campaign. (See video below.) The LivingstonPatch also has a report about this special event here.

An Evening with Henry Winkler and Marlee Matlin originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on May 1, 2010.

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Resources for Parents who have Children with Disabilities in New Jersey

Matthew Stoloff — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:30:33 +0000

New Jersey may be a small state, but there is clearly no shortage of attorneys, advocates, health care professionals, support groups, and disability organizations here. Below I have provided a listing of helpful links that will help parents of children with disabilities locate professionals and support groups efficiently. As of April 2010, none of these links are “deadlinks.” Click on the link below to see the list of NJ resources.

Attorneys, Advocates, and Health Care Professionals

Special Education and Family Support

Arts and Sports

Housing & Independent Living

Autism

Blindness and Visual Impairments

Deafness, Hearing Impairments, and Deaf-Blindness

Developmental Disabilities

Learning Disabilities

Mental Illness

Other Disabilities

Resources for Parents who have Children with Disabilities in New Jersey originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on April 12, 2010.

Dreams and Hopes

Matthew Stoloff — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:10:57 +0000

I discovered Ellen Seidman’s blog, Love That Max, about two months ago. Upon learning that Ellen’s son Max has cerebal palsy and unspecified cognitive impairments, I read some of the articles that Ellen had published and found them interesting.

In a recent article that could only come from the heart, “I stared at an adult with disabilities, and wondered if I was seeing Max’s future,” Ellen is brutally honest and shares with her readers one of her greatest fears: Where will Max be after he graduates from school? What will become of Max when he reaches adulthood? These are very important questions.

In due time, I will write special education articles about the importance of IEP transition planning, but in the meanwhile, I want to share with Ellen and all parents who have children with disabilities a collection of weblinks that I’ve put together. These links will direct you to a list of famous people with disabilities; they are role models for any parent and child with a disability. May these links and resources always keep your and your child’s dreams and hopes alive:

Dreams and Hopes originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on February 24, 2010.

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Whither Aspergers?

Matthew Stoloff — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:10:29 +0000

The news that Asperger’s Syndrome may be removed from the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (better known as “DSM”) is spreading like wildfire. There is already intense debate. Bloggers are writing about it too:

Although the final edition of the proposed DSM-V will not be published until 2013, some people find the move to “merge” Asperger’s with autism disturbing.

Autism spectrum is a neurological disorder. It affects learning, language, social development, and behavior. But not all people with autism are the same. People with Asperger’s are regarded as high functioning individuals who are extremely intelligent, yet their social interactions are poor and their behavior may be awkward. In contrast, some people with autism may have extremely low IQs, as well as poor social and behavioral developments. The differences between a diagnosis of ‘Aspergers’ and ‘autism’ can be significant.

What are the reasons that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) wants to eliminate ‘Aspergers’? According to this report, one reason is because ‘Aspergers’ has become “too vague.” I found this rationale very interesting since the next edition of the DSM eliminates “substance abuse” and will be replaced by more specific diagnoses, such as “cannabis-use disorder” and “alcohol-use disorder.” Why, then, does the DSM propose to eliminate Asperger’s and opt for generalization such as “low functioning autism” and “high functioning autism”?

To gain better insight, I read the relevant proposed revisions for Asperger’s Disorder in the proposed DSM-V. There, I learned that the rationale for eliminating ‘Aspergers’ is apparently grounded in the view that ‘Aspergers’ may be an overused term (“‘Asperger syndrome’” is used loosely with little agreement”). Furthermore, a single spectrum is just more reflective of the symptoms: patients should be given a diagnosis based on the severity of the symptoms rather than a diagnosis based on a specific “condition” within the spectrum.

Even so, there is at least one report suggesting that certain members of the APA are engaging in politics. Given that the DSM should be grounded in science, any form of politiking associated with the drafting of the DSM ought to be prohibited. Furthermore, the APA is inviting public comment. This, too, is contrary to science. According to one NPR reporter:

The APA has made a big deal of the DSM being the product of an intense scientific process. So if the group changes the contents based on interest group politics, they open themselves to fresh criticism that the DSM is less scientific than claimed.

Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, the director of Autism Research Center at Cambridge University, wrote an op-ed in the New York Times. Dr. Cohen is concerned about the proposed changes in the DSM because there has not been sufficient scientific and cultural research to justify the change. He writes:

[S]cience hasn’t had a proper chance to test if there is a biological difference between Asperger syndrome and classic autism. My colleagues and I recently published the first candidate gene study of Asperger syndrome, which identified 14 genes associated with the condition. . . . We don’t yet know if Asperger syndrome is genetically identical or distinct from classic autism, but surely it makes scientific sense to wait until these two subgroups have been thoroughly tested before lumping them together in the diagnostic manual. I am the first to agree with the concept of an autistic spectrum, but there may be important differences between subgroups that the psychiatric association should not blur too hastily.

See also Dr. Roy Richard Grinker’s New York Times op-ed, which adopts a different viewpoint.

It remains to be seen whether Asperger’s will ultimately be lumped into autism and what impact this will have on special education. There is some concern that the proposed changes could affect special education services. One report, however, suggests that schools in Wisconsin and Minnesota will not be affected if the changes take place.

How the proposed changes could ultimately affect students with Asperger’s in school is a complex issue that special education attorneys will need to be prepared to address.

Even if the DSM-V is adopted, there is, arguably, nothing to stop psychiatrists, psychologists, and other health care professionals from using the term ‘Aspergers.’ And there is, of course, nothing to stop “Aspies” from describing themselves as such–they are proud of it.

Whither Aspergers? originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on February 17, 2010.

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Valentine’s Day is for Disabled People Too

Matthew Stoloff — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:10:05 +0000

When a mother looks for a girlfriend on her son’s behalf, it may not sound so strange. But Lucy Baxter’s 21 year old son, Otto, has Down’s Syndrome. Lucy wants Otto to “live a fully rounded life” and to “enjoy the same experiences as other men his age.” Lucy has encouraged Otto to go to nightclubs to pick up women and, if Otto wants to, go to a brothel. Lucy hopes that Otto will have a healthy sex life, and even marry, and have children of his own.

The response to Lucy and Otto’s story was all over the map. Some readers thought Lucy was “sick,” “bizarre,” or “creepy.” Others wondered about the damage Lucy may be doing to Otto. Still others thought Lucy was doing the right thing in helping Otto find love and enjoy life. I leave it to the reader to form his or her own judgement about Lucy. But before you do, consider what Otto had to say: he said that he would like a girlfriend so that he can “have a shower together, wash her back and have a lazy day in bed. Also go to the cinema and things like that.”

This post is not about Lucy. Rather, this post aims to change public perception that it is abnormal for disabled people to want sex, companionship, and marriage. Disabled people who marry and have sex shouldn’t be a taboo topic. Sex and companionship are basic human needs. Individuals with different kinds of disabilities have such needs. Yet, the idea that someone with cerebral palsy or an intellectual disability cannot–or should not–date, marry, and/or have sex is very dated.

Perhaps because people in general are more used to the idea of physically disabled individuals dating and marrying, more people struggle with the idea of an intellectually challenged individual (like Down’s Syndrome) marrying and having sex. In a Frequently Asked Questions webpage on Sexuality and Intellectual Disabilities, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities writes:

“[A]ll individuals are sexual beings. Expressions of sexuality include, but are not limited to, socialization, activities of friendship, boundaries in relationships, body awareness, human connectedness, genital interactions, assertiveness, self image, self-care, decision making, and personal code of ethics.”

For specific information about issues of sexuality in Down’s Syndrome, see Dr. William Schwab’s interview and this study.

Caption: Photo of man and woman both holding a heart symbol.

Regardless of the extent of one’s physical or intellectual impairments, the fact is that a great deal of people with disabilities want companionship and have sexual needs. And yes, many are married! A google search can turn up hundreds of stories about individuals with disabilities who marry.

Not too long ago, the San Francisco Chronicle recently ran a wonderful story about Kim Bazile and Noah Kessler who met 20 years ago and married in 2004. Both are developmentally disabled. Similarly, artist extraordinaire Dan Keplinger, otherwise known as “King Gimp” in that well-made 1999 documentary, has cerebral palsy and recently married. Back in 2005, the Wall Street Journal profiled Carrie Bergeron, a 29 year old New York woman with Down’s who married.

In June 2006, the Daily Mail (a U.K.-based newspaper) ran a long article about a Down’s couple. The romance between this particular couple is described in intimate detail and is quite amazing. (The reporter writes that they “share a love and devotion so raw that it is almost painful to watch. With their simple logic and searing honesty, they enjoy a relationship which perhaps every husband and wife should aspire to.”)

Isn’t it interesting that reporters and academics are beginning to recognize the things we can learn from about sex and marriage from people with disabilities? In fact, The Sunday Times recently ran a terrific story about what the disabled can teach us about sexual fulfillment.

Academics and practitioners at The National Sexuality Resource Center in San Francisco have been hard at work changing how the public thinks about disabled people and love and marriage. Their website is full of useful information and is a testament to their commitment to changing public perception. Additional professional and academic support may be found here.

In some countries, disabled people are prohibited from marrying. For example, in the country of Georgia, there is a law that prohibits some physically and mentally disabled persons to marry. That law is sorely outdated. Indeed, such laws should be invalidated because they violate basic human rights. It is hoped that in the future, everyone around the world will have a right to marry if they so choose, regardless of disability.

For the rest of the world where no such discriminatory laws exist, the internet has been boon for people with disabilities and finding love can be easier for many at such dating sites as Dating4Disabled.com, DisabledSinglesConnection, and LoveByrd, among countless others. The ways in which people with disabilities can find romance will increase as technology continues to develop. Many people with disabilities are reaching out not only to dating sites to find love and friendship, but also to other online communities, like Disaboom, where they can read articles (such as”Dating with a Disability: The Best Ways to Disclose Embarassing Sex Issues” and “Be A Sex Advocate For Your Sexual Health“) and ask other people with disabilities questions and advice about love, sex, and marriage.

Beautiful, isn’t it?

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is for Disabled People Too originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on February 14, 2010.

Deaf People are not Deaf to Justice

Special Needs Camps

Matthew Stoloff — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:05:43 +0000

On this blog, I usually write about legal issues related to service animals, special education, student rights, or disability discrimination. Once in a while, though, it’s always nice to get away and not need to think about issues associated with school, employment, or independent living. Kids, especially, need to have fun, a place to get away from the stresses of life, and meet new friends they can relate to and share interests with.

Whether it’s during the day for a week or two, or overnight for several weeks, summer camp can boost a disabled child’s confidence and self-esteem and help form life-long friendships. In the past two decades, there has been an explosion of summer camps for children with disabilities. The number of special needs camp is astounding. One website lists over 70 camps for those with Asperger’s, over 100 camps for those with developmental disabilities, and over 110 camps for those with learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD. There are special needs camps for children who are amputees, as well as children with autism, burns, cerebral palsy, deafness, dyslexia, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, muscular dystrophy, and visual impairments, among others.

These websites contain extensive listings of special needs camps across the country: Camp Resource, Family Village, Kids Camp, My Summer Camps, and Very Special Camps.com.

There are “day camps” and “sleep-away camps.” (There are also “travel camps,” such as Frontier Travel Camp, where children with disabilities can join their peers in traveling to another country.) Some camps caters to children of various disabilities, other camps cater only to children with specific disabilities. Some camps are expensive, others are not. Some camps may offer scholarships for families who qualify.

Those who are not financially able to send their child to a special needs camp may want to research local organizations such as 4-H. (Rutgers University in New Jersey published a nice article encouraging special needs youth to get involved in 4-H clubs.) Some local YMCA clubs may also have day activities for children with disabilities throughout the summer.

There are several helpful articles that explain how to best choose the special needs camp for your child, including Choosing Among Special-Needs Camp: Making Summer Special! and Finding a Camp for your Child with Special Needs. If your child has specific needs, surf to your favorite disability organization website or disability magazine to see if any summer camp review articles have been published. For example, ADDitude, a magazine for children with learning disabilities and ADD, published The Best Camps for ADHD Children.

Summer camp slots often fill up quickly, so it’s never too early to research summer camps. While you’re thinking about whether you want to send your special needs children to camp, or which camp to send your child to, have a look at this wonderful video of special needs children enjoying themselves and learning teamwork at a camp:

Special Needs Camps originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on February 8, 2010.

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Parents with Disabilities?: Yes, they can!

Matthew Stoloff — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:10:50 +0000

When Kaney O’Neill was 21 years old and working as a Navy airman apprentice, she fell off a balcony and broke her neck. Thereafter, she had minimal use of her arms and could no longer use her legs. Nearly ten years later, she gave birth to her son, Aidan. In August 2009, the Chicago Tribune published a beautiful story about Kaney’s pregnancy and the support system in place for her. It appeared as though Kaney would be spending the rest of her life with her son Aidan, along with her boyfriend, caretaker, and service dog by her side.

But in just a few short weeks after giving birth, Kaney broke up with her boyfriend, David Trais. David then demanded full custody of Aidan. David alleges that despite all the support systems in place, Kaney is unfit to be a mother. In December 2009, the Chicago Tribune published a follow-up article, Disabled Mom fighting to keep her son.

Now that the case has reached the courthouse where a judge is hearing arguments from both sides, bloggers have been discussing the custody dispute, and many blog readers have defended Kaney’s right to raise her son. See Lisa Belkin’s Should A Quadriplegic Mom Have Custody?; Jeanne Sager’s Quadriplegic Mom Fights Discrimination to Keep Son; and Sarah Caron’s Is She Fit To Parent? Over 100 comments have been submitted here: Can a quadriplegic be a good parent? Her ex-bf says “No.”

Kaney’s situation is unique, but not new. Doesn’t anyone remember the story of Robert Carney who was a quadripegic and fought for the custody of his two sons? Or the story of Tiffany Callo, a woman with cerebral palsy who fought to raise her two children? Or even Sean Penn’s role in I Am Sam?

According to DisabledParents.net, there are more than 8 million disabled parents in the United States. It is not known how many single disabled parents there are in the United States, but it is probably a good chunk of the 8 million. Individuals who are deaf, blind, paraplegic, quadriplegic can be capable parents. Even parents with mental impairments can be capable parents.

Now is a good opportunity to read about the challenges that disabled parents face and the ways in which they can overcome those challenges to successfully raise their children. On Being A Disabled Parent is a terrific starting point, in which a deaf-blind mother (who is married to a quadriplegic husband) shares her personal stories about raising her twins. I Know I’m Raising Really Good Girls was written nearly a decade ago by a mother with cerebral palsy, and it is still very relevant to this day. Although I haven’t seen it yet, Parents with Developmental Disabilities: A Fair Chance is a film in which six developmentally disabled parents talk about raising their kids.

There are also several books about parents with disabilities, including Disabled Parents: Dispelling the Myths and Parenting and Disability: Disabled Parents’ Experience of Raising Children.

For a host of links containing a wealth of information about disabled parents, see Parents With Disabilities Online and The Looking Glass.

It will be very interesting to see who will ultimately get custody of Aidan and the reasons for the judge’s decision. I hope all of you will join me in keeping a close eye on this case. In the meantime, check out the links I found above. You might be surprised.

Parents with Disabilities?: Yes, they can! originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on January 11, 2010.

Resources for Parents who have Children with Disabilities in New Jersey

The Lovely Blog Awards: My 15 Nominees

Matthew Stoloff — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:07 +0000

A couple of days ago, I received a very cool email from Jennifer Laviano, a Connecticut Special Education attorney, informing me that my blog is among her list of 15 “lovely” blogs. To explore Jennifer’s awesome list and learn how “The Lovely Blog” originated, see her post: “I guess this is ‘One Lovely Blog!’”

I love writing, and blogging is a terrific way to share information, thoughts, and ideas. Dare I say it?–bloggers and those who read blogs are an intelligent and engaging bunch! Ruby at School’s Out is absolutely correct: “For a blogger … this is one of the best rewards of writing. To know that others are reading what I share, and that they are enjoying or learning or growing as a result, this is a tremendous feeling.” I couldn’t have said it any better myself. Many thanks to Jennifer. I am honored.

What does the “lovely” mean in “A Lovely Blog”? To those who can see with their eyes, blogs can be lovely because the design is colorful and creative. But blogs can also be lovely because the published content transmitted to the mind’s eye is meaningful and has value to those who read it for knowledge and enrichment. In my view, lovely blogs contain well written, well organized, and thoughtful articles that help us think and respond in positive ways.

One condition for accepting the “Lovely Blog” award is to nominate 15 other blogs for this award (see the three simple rules at the bottom of this post). I noticed that Jennifer and Ruth’s lists consisted of lesser known blogs many people may not be aware of. This is a great idea! There are so many good blogs out there, and I’ll gladly follow Jennifer and Ruth’s example. So, without further ado:

Assistance Dog for Autism – Personal experiences of an irresistible service dog who assists a ten year old boy with autism. Wonderful stories, great photos.

Autism Blog – A mother of a child with autism writes on many different topics related to autism and parenting. She isn’t afraid to state her opinions. Controversial and engaging.

Bill and Ria – Sharing experiences about life and parenting their 2 year old son, Matthew, who has Down’s Syndrome.

Daniel Meek’s Pet Trust Law Blog – This is the place to start if you want to learn more about how to include your companion pets or service animals in your Will or trust document.

Deaf Mom Shares Her World – Ever wonder what a “Deaf Wedding” is like? Ever wonder what it’s like to be a Mom who just happens to be Deaf? It’s always a pleasure to read Karen’s posts.

Dog Law Reporter Blog – Former civil rights attorney turned tax attorney writes about law, science, and history related to service dogs and working dogs.

The EdJurist – Keep up to date on school law issues and student rights, such as free speech and school discipline.

Life with Asperger’s – Focusing on the positive side of living with Asperger’s Syndrome.

No Limits 2 Learning – I love the subheading: “Celebrating Human Potential Through Assistive Technology.”

Rolling Rains Report – Scott Rains writes about disability, traveling, accessibility, and universal design around the world. If you’re not familiar with the concepts “inclusive tourism” or “universal design,” this is the place to learn all about it.

Safe and Sound Blog – Adventures of a Woman and her Seeing Eye Dog – Beth Finke writes about her experiences with her seeing-eye dog. She also has strong views about service animals.

Split Circuits – Interested in reading analyses about the latest splits among the federal circuit courts? Look no further.

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs – A tremendous wealth of information about the latest assistive technologies for people with special needs.

Teaching Visually Impaired Children – This blog not only provides tips how to teach visually impaired children, but also reports amazing stories about individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Teh Dyslexia Storytellers Blog – Nope, that’s not a typo. It really is spelled “Teh.” Eric Wolf shares his thoughts and experiences as a person with dyslexia.

Congratulations to those who have been nominated! If you accept the award, you must follow Ruth’s simple rules:

Post the acceptance on your blog, along with the name of the person who nominated you and the link.
Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

The Lovely Blog Awards: My 15 Nominees originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on October 21, 2009.

Real Jury Managers Don’t Show Up At Your Door

Matthew Stoloff — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:10:22 +0000

In the August 31, 2009 issue of the New Jersey Law Journal, I learned that there is a new identity theft scheme occurring in New Jersey (and possibly in other states as well). Unlike scams that typically occur over the telephone or via email, scam artists are pretending to work for the courts and visiting people in their homes!

I researched this scam on the internet and found the link to the official press release from the New Jersey Judiciary. According to the press release, the scam artists appear on your doorstep with fake identification that says they are Jury Managers who work for the New Jersey courts. The fake Jury Manager scares you into believing that you did not show up for jury duty. When you claim that you didn’t get the jury duty notice, the fake Jury Manager will then attempt to “verify your identity” by requesting your personal information, including your social security number and driver’s license number.

These scam artists look and sound legit when they appear on your doorstep with fake identification. But Judge Glenn A. Grant, acting administrative director of the courts, stated in the press release that “The New Jersey Judiciary does not and has never asked for personal identifiers over the phone, by e-mail or in person. Furthermore the Judiciary does not make follow-up phone calls or e-mails to jurors. Those contacts are scams. All notifications to potential jurors are conducted through the U.S. Postal Service.”

At the bottom of the press release, there are two helpful links: this is what a Jury Summons looks like, and this is a list of Jury Managers. If a scam artist is impersonating court personnel and shows up at your door, contact your county Jury Manager immediately.

Spread the word to your family, friends, and colleagues, that official jury notices are sent in the mail. Neither the courts nor Jury Managers will ask you for personal identifiers over the telephone, via email, or in person.

Real Jury Managers Don’t Show Up At Your Door originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on September 5, 2009.

Deaf People are not Deaf to Justice

Language Freedom: What does it mean to you?

Matthew Stoloff — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:10:54 +0000

In 2006, a cheesesteak delicatessen in Philadelphia made waves when the proprietor hung up a sign that read: “This is AMERICA: WHEN ORDERING PLEASE ‘SPEAK ENGLISH.’” Reported in national and international news outlets, Geno’s Steaks received the ire of many people and bloggers around the world. Philly Future has a list of Philadelphia bloggers who have expressed their outrage against Geno’s Steaks. Bloggers outside of Philadelphia, like American Humanity and Jewish World Review, have not been shy to share their feelings of dismay.

When the news broke in the summer of 2008 that the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) was going to require that all of its players pass an English skills test or face possible suspension, journalists scratched their heads and bloggers around the world, particularly those based in South Korea, reacted strongly and negatively. Reacting to the hullabaloo and bad publicity, the LPGA rescinded its plan to suspend LPGA players for not communicating “effective” English.

What’s going on here?

America has always been a melting pot of people from many different languages and cultures. Music, art, food, wine, and even sports, transcend the spoken language. There are so many things that we can share with other people despite the language barrier.

Did the proprietor of Geno’s Steaks really put that sign up to insult current and potential customers, or was it genuinely a way to speed up the ordering process? Did the LPGA intend to institute the English requirement in order to appeal to more English speaking sponsors, or was it an underhanded method of reducing the number of top Korean golfers?

It’s hard to say, and even if we asked, we probably wouldn’t get a straight answer. We’d still be suspicious about their reasons.

Now, Senator Leland Yee of the California legislator has drafted a bill that would permit the “freedom of a person to speak any language he or she chooses in a business establishment” and make it illegal for California businesses to discriminate against persons who chose to speak a particular language unless there was a business necessity for doing so. (The full text of the bill, referred to as SB 242, can be found here.)

It is sad to think that food and sports, Geno’s Steaks and the LGPA, should give us pause to think about what language freedom means to us. In an ideal world, chefs and gastronomists, wine-makers and wine connoisseurs, sports heroes and their fans, should be enjoying the things they share in common without needing to think about the language we speak. But now it seems we are at a point where we may need to think about it. So, what does language freedom mean to you?

Language Freedom: What does it mean to you? originally appeared on Matthew Stoloff's Blog on September 3, 2009.

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