Special Needs Planning & Special Education Advocacy
Podcasts
Every family has a unique set of hopes and challenges. Bernard A. Krooks, managing partner of Littman Krooks LLP, and his guests discuss a variety of topics pertinent to seniors, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Tune in to learn more about the legal, financial and social matters that can help you plan for a secure future. Discussions focus on elder care, asset protection, retirement planning, special education advocacy, and special needs planning.
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Littman Krooks partner Bernard A. Krooks, Esq., and partner Marion M. Walsh, Esq., discuss how students, educators and parents alike are trying to chart their course in our newfound world of online or remote learning, and the supplemental fact sheet issued by The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) on the provision of remote or distance learning and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Mary Verdi-Fletcher, founder of the Dancing Wheels Company joins us to discuss what defines a dancer, uniting the talents of dancers both with and without disabilities and equal access in the world of dance and using performances to enhance public awareness of disability issues to promote social change in the field of arts and beyond.
Special Olympics New York President and CEO Stacey Hengsterman discusses the history of the Special Olympics, training clubs, coaches, competitions, and opportunities for player and athlete development. Stacey also discusses expanding unified sports, unified champion schools and taking inclusion to new levels within schools and breaking down barriers that exist within sports and students for the next generation of athletes.
Chris Ahrens, Paralympic Athlete and US Soccer Athletes’ Council Chair joins Bernie on this episode to discuss Para 7-a-side soccer, inclusion in sports, unified sports models in schools and Paralympic qualifications criteria.
Adaptive sports allow the necessary modifications for people with disabilities to participate in sports at a recreational or competitive level. On this episode, Eileen Andreassi, Director of Recreational Therapy and Adaptive Sports at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital discusses the benefits of adaptive sports and recreation in rehabilitation and the growing field of therapeutic recreation.
The Miracle League of Westchester brings baseball programs for people of all ages with disabilities. It provides an opportunity for those individuals to experience the joy and benefits that come from playing baseball. Join Rick Monzon, Executive Director, and Bernie on this podcast to discuss the benefits of joining, playing and volunteering in the Miracle League.
Improvisation teaches many valuable skills, like problem-solving, quick-thinking, teamwork, listening, as well as building self-confidence and communication skills like voice projection and eye contact. Stand Up for Downs Co-Founder Rob Snow and Bernie discuss how these skills can be taught to those with Down Syndrome and how their workplace and social opportunities can expand greatly on this episode of the Littman Krooks Podcast.
October 15, 2019 | Bernie speaks with Adam Davis, LMFT and Adam Johns, MA Ed, founders and executive directors of Game To Grow, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on the belief that games have the power to improve people’s lives. Adam and Adam combined their training and expertise in family therapy, education, and drama therapy with years of experience as gamers and facilitators to harness the power of tabletop role-playing games to improve players’ empathy, frustration tolerance, creative problem solving abilities, and leadership skills. Intentionally facilitated games can provide support to adults and children struggling with anxiety and depression, improve cognitive functioning in the elderly, provide relief for veterans suffering from PTSD, and help other individuals overcome serious challenges.
EPIC Players is a nonprofit, neuro-inclusive theatre company dedicated to creating professional performing arts opportunities and supportive social communities through the arts for people living with developmental disabilities. Through neuro-inclusive mainstage productions and showcases, skills-based classes and career resources, they aim to break down social stigmas surrounding neuro-diverse communities, increase employment opportunities and increased inclusion in the arts. Talia Eapen, Director of Operations, Harrison Gottfried, a performer coming back to acting onstage, and Jessica Saul, a standup comedian, performer actress, mentor and teaching artist from join Bernie to discuss advocacy in the workplace, how performance classes compliment being in the workforce, and breaking down social stigmas surrounding neuro-diverse communities within the arts.
May 22, 2019 | Bernie and Zach Wigal, founder of Gamers Outreach, a non profit that provides equipment, technology, and software to help kids cope with treatment inside hospitals discuss the benefits of entertainment content in hospitals, how families and hospitals can access services from Gamers Outreach and more!
