Family Sues Over Disbanded Girl Scout Troop, Says Federal Law Mandates Interpreter for Deaf Member

The family of a suburban Chicago 12-year-old who has been deaf since birth is suing Megan Runnion’s former Girl Scout troop, contending that officials disbanded it rather than pay for the cost of an interpreter she needs to fully participate in its activities. Although the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago…

Aug 2, 2012 3:45 PM CDT

ADA Suit Claims Wal-Mart Checkout Terminals Are Too High for Wheelchair Users

A disability rights group claims in a lawsuit filed on Wednesday that Wal-Mart’s check-out machines are too high for disabled customers using scooters or wheelchairs. The suit (PDF) filed in San Francisco federal court claims the set-up violates state law and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, report the Recorder,…

Jul 26, 2012 1:25 PM CDT

Time to Reject Perception that Disabilities Are Barriers to Productive Legal Careers

Jul 1, 2012 9:30 AM CDT

Law Firm Settles Feds’ Civil Rights Suit re Client’s Service Dog; Will Pay $25K, Post Welcome Sign

Without admitting wrongdoing, an upstate New York law firm has settled a civil rights lawsuit brought by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York over claimed discrimination against a disabled client. Larkin Axelrod Ingrassia & Tetenbaum will pay $20,000 to the personal injury client, Lauren Klejmont, who…

Jun 28, 2012 11:10 PM CDT

Pool Facilities Get Another Extension to Be ADA Compliant

Hotels, water parks, and other facilities with pools recently got another extension to comply with American Disability Act standards, the Associated Press reports. The Justice Department initially set a March 15, 2012 deadline, but last week extended it to early next year. The ADA rules in question, published in 2010,…

May 25, 2012 4:54 PM CDT

ADA Does Not Protect Medical Marijuana Dispensaries, 9th Circuit Says

The Americans with Disabilities Act does not preclude cities from shutting down medical marijuana dispensaries, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found yesterday. The panel dismissed a lawsuit brought by four California individuals with severe disabilities, the Los Angeles Times reports, all of whom have medical marijuana…

May 22, 2012 7:19 PM CDT

Judge Rules for School District in Suicide Death of Teen Featured in ‘Bully’ Documentary

A federal judge in Georgia has granted summary judgment to a school district accused of deliberate indifference to the plight of a bullied student who committed suicide. U.S. District Judge Harold Murphy ruled (PDF) for the Murray County school system in a case filed by the parents of 17-year-old Tyler…

May 22, 2012 3:06 PM CDT

Law School Dropout Gets Student Debt Wiped Out Because of Asperger’s Syndrome

A University of Baltimore law student who dropped out and later obtained a Ph.D. from an online school won’t have to repay $339,000 in student debt. Usually student debt may not be discharged in bankruptcy, but U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gordon found that Carol Todd was eligible for an “undue…

May 22, 2012 1:07 PM CDT

Defending the Defenders: New Guide Covers How to Defend Veterans with Invisible War Wounds

May 1, 2012 9:00 AM CDT

Would-Be Transfer Student with Emotional and Learning Disabilities Sues for LSAT Accommodations

A law student in Massachusetts who suffers from mental health problems has filed a lawsuit seeking accommodations when taking the Law School Admission Test. The student, who identifies himself using the pseudonym “Nathan F.,” seeks twice the time to take the test, the National Law Journal (sub. req.) reports. The…

Apr 25, 2012 2:49 PM CDT

Left Behind: ABA Says Make Disabilities Part of Diversity Mix on Federal Bench

Apr 1, 2012 6:10 AM CDT

Supreme Court Shields States from Damage Suits for Violating Federal Sick Leave Law

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg took the unusual step of reading aloud from her dissent today when the U.S. Supreme Court shielded states from damage claims for violating a sick leave provision of the U.S. Family and Medical Leave Act. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote the main opinion (PDF). “As a…

Mar 20, 2012 5:40 PM CDT

Pennsylvania Disability Advocates Seek to Thwart Governor’s Budget Plan with Lawsuit

Disability advocates have filed a lawsuit that claims Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett violated state law with a budget proposal. The suit by the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania says Corbett has proposed combining funding for several public welfare programs into block grants that would be dispensed to counties. The proposal…

Mar 16, 2012 11:00 AM CDT

ABA Supports ‘Breed-Neutral’ Policies for Service Animals

The ABA has weighed in on an issue of concern to disability rights advocates—access to public accommodations by individuals with disabilities who use service animals. The ABA House of Delegates on Monday approved Resolution 303, which urges lawmakers to ensure that people using service animals have access to public programs…

Feb 6, 2012 10:10 PM CST

ABA Urges Accommodations for Disabled LSAT Test Takers

The ABA House of Delegates has jumped in to the debate over accommodations for students taking the Law School Admission Test. Resolution 111, which was approved by the policy-making body on Monday, urges entities that administer law school admission tests to provide appropriate accommodations for test-takers with disabilities. The resolution…

Feb 6, 2012 9:31 PM CST