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Special Needs Planning
ReelAbilities Stream: A New Innovative and Accessible Streaming Platform
By: Jessica A. Saio Starting this month, you can add new movies to your watchlist from a brand-new streaming service. ReelAbilities Stream is launching a new platform for viewers to watch movies and documentaries that celebrate the lives and stories of individuals with disabilities. The ReelAbilities Film Festival originated in New York in 2007 and…
Why Using a Special Needs Attorney is Important
By: Amy C. O’Hara, CELA Special needs attorneys are important because they provide legal assistance and guidance to individuals with disabilities and their families. They have skilled knowledge and experience in disability law, which includes a complex set of federal and state laws, regulations, and court decisions that govern the rights of people with disabilities.…
LK Honors Mental Health Awareness Month and Sponsors NAMIWalks 2023
By Littman Krooks LLP May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Littman Krooks is proud to be a Bronze sponsor of NAMIWalks Westchester. The walk will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 9:00 a.m., at Ridge Road Park, Hartsdale, New York, the future site of the Westchester Healing Garden. NAMI is a grassroots organization dedicated…
April is Autism Awareness Month
By Jessica Saio, Law Clerk National Autism Awareness Month raises public awareness about autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) during the month of April. One of the many ways support is shown worldwide is through the Light it Up Blue campaign, initiated by the United Nations and nonprofit organization, Autism Speaks. Each year on April 2,…
Special Needs and Elder Law Proposed Legislation of Interest
By: Amy C. O’Hara, CELA I recently attended the Special Needs Alliance meeting. The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national organization comprised of attorneys committed to the practice of disability and public benefits law. This organization is by invitation only of which I have the privilege of serving as President Elect of their Board…
New Expansion on ABLE Eligibility
By Jessica Saio, Law Clerk This past December, Congress approved the ABLE Age Adjustment Act which expands eligibility for ABLE accounts by increasing the qualifying disability age from 26 to 46. This allows more individuals with disabilities to work and save money without the risk of losing government benefits. What is an ABLE Account? ABLE…
Estate Planning for the Special Needs Family
By Amy C. O’Hara, CELA Estate planning is important for every family for several reasons, however, it becomes critical if you have a child with a disability. In creating a well thought out estate plan you can ensure your child is protected both financially and personally. Part of your plan will include designating a guardian…
Preparing for Back to School for Your Child with Special Needs in Challenging Times
By Littman Krooks LLP Preparing for back to school in September always brings hope and a sense of expectation for both students and parents. For the 2022-2023 school year, this remains true. However, it has been a difficult two years for students, who are still recovering from isolation during the pandemic, the adjustment to virtual…
How to Prepare to be a Successful Advocate for Your Child in College
By Littman Krooks LLP It’s that wonderful time of year, when parents are helping their children prepare for college and sending them off. It is also the time to adjust to a new type of parenting and advocacy. By taking careful steps, you can ensure that you remain an effective advocate in your new capacity,…
Supported Decision Making is now the Law in New York State
By Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education / Special Needs Advocate Supported decision making is now the law in New York State. On July 26, 2022, the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law creating statutory authority for supported decision making (SDM) agreements. These agreements provide for a less-restrictive alternative…
