Recent Blog Posts
Florida Association of the Deaf settles effective communication with Bethesda Hospitals
The Florida Association of the Deaf is pleased to announce the lawsuit brought by deaf patients against Bethesda Hospitals has been resolved. After almost five years, the lawsuit brought by the Florida Association (“FAD”) and individual deaf patients has been resolved amicably. Bethesda Hospitals will ensure effective communication with deaf patients. Any financial terms… Read More »
AFTEREFFECT – A SWAT team, an autistic man, an American tragedy.
Aftereffect is a podcast produced by WYNC Studios, and hosted by Audrey Quinn. In this series, Audrey weaves Arnaldo Rios-Soto’s story and explains how Florida is ill-equipped to provide adequate community-based services for him, and what he went through. The synopsis of the eight episode series is as follows: In the summer of… Read More »
How Hooters killed a Bad Florida Pro-Business ADA Protection Law
A settlement is an agreement between two parties as a resolution of a case and does not affect the rights of any third party. Even a judgment only affects the parties involved. The only method to insure compliance with the ADA or any other statute that includes standards for compliance – is to comply with such standards. With the Americans with Disabilities Act, It’s been almost 28 years since the statute has been enacted. For defense attorneys who do not obtain compliance with the standards to obtain a settlement, their clients will always be subject to additional suits. In other words, it’s a gamble, and it could be penny wise and pound stupid.
Benefits from SSA for People with Disabilities
Social Security Disability Insurance or Title II, Disability Benefits SSDI: pays benefits to people with disabilities and certain members of their family if the beneficiary is “insured,” meaning that he/she worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.
Supplemental Security Income SSI or Title XVI pays benefits to people with disabilities based on financial need.
Office Animals for Wellness
The question for all persons who focus on wellness is how to maintain mental, spiritual, and physical balance when being besieged by crisis (both real and perceived) from all sides. In this issue, I give my answer – Lucy. To quote my favorite industrialist, Willie Wonka, – “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.” #WellLawyer
Lessons From the Humiliation and Death of Sandra Faye Twiggs
On Sunday April 15, 2018, Judge Merrilee Ehrlich stripped any shred of dignity or humanity from a 59 year-old woman, who appeared before her, in her first appearance before the court after being arrested. In as much as the video and the transcript demonstrate how unhinged Judge Ehrlich acted towards this women, and how the Court staff and lawyers, like palace eunuchs, allow such unabated behavior to continue. However, the outrage from the surface must be examined, and lead to thorough introspection and change, and not merely the retirement and resignation of this long-time judge.
Are Deaf Women entitled to Reproductive Choice?
Disability Independence Group files suit against Planned Parenthood for failing to provide sign language interpreters or programs for Deaf Girls and Women On August 2, 2013, Maura Mena went into a Planned Parenthood location in Miami, Florida. As a pregnant woman, Maura did not know what her options were at that point and was… Read More »
Young children should not be arrested in school and sent to psychiatric hospitals
By Matthew W. Dietz and Carlos J. Martinez Twenty years ago, when a 7-year-old had a temper tantrum in a public school, the school would suspend the child. The police would not be called, and it would be unthinkable to subject the child to an involuntary mental examination in a psychiatric ward of… Read More »
MAKE A STAND AGAINST HATE – SUPPORT THE FLORIDA HATE CRIME LAW
By: Matthew W. Dietz On January 22nd, I was honored to represent Disability Independence Group and speak on behalf of The Florida Hate Crime Coalition (FHCC). They applauded the recent filing of legislation that would strengthen Florida’s hate crime law. This bill, Florida HB 211 and SB 588, ensures that all persons are protected… Read More »
Happy Ed Roberts Day – January 23rd
Disability Rights are Civil Rights, and every civil rights movement has its heroes. For the Disability Rights movement, the father of the independent living movement is Ed Roberts. At a time when a person with polio was expected to spend his days in an iron lung, and not expected to participate in the community, Ed Roberts persisted, lived, and participated in his life and community.