The Medical Necessity Dodge
A federal appeals court rejected a defense used by institutions to deny accommodations for disabled individuals, ruling that self-determined medical necessity cannot end ADA inquiries. The case of Bilal Adom, who was denied incontinence supplies,…
The Training Nobody Requires
California family law judges and attorneys receive training on neurodivergence and its impact in family court; however, critical lessons regarding mental health bias are not mandated. Despite research advocating a link between mental health conditions…
Diagnosis as Evidence
In California family courts, a parent's psychiatric diagnosis can suffice as evidence of dangerousness for a domestic violence restraining order, even without corroboration. The law's low evidentiary standard allows subjective claims to influence serious…
Disability Pride Month Ends At The Courthouse Door
In July, politicians will commemorate the ADA's anniversary, yet it doesn't protect disabled parents in family courts, where their rights often face termination due to disability. Recent studies reveal that 42 states maintain statutes allowing parental…
The Force Multiplier
The family court system overlooks the specific needs of disabled children in custody disputes, failing to recognize how coercive control impacts their well-being. These children face heightened risks of abuse, and current legal reforms neglect their…
Medicaid, Disability, and Custody
The article discusses the challenges faced by parents with disabilities in custody proceedings, highlighting how loss of Medicaid coverage impacts their parental fitness assessments. Despite legal protections under the ADA, systemic gaps persist, often…
Withdrawn but Not Resolved: Inside a Maryland Case That Wouldn’t End Quietly
In a Maryland family law case, attorney Jeff Reichert voluntarily dismissed his petition without prejudice, intending to withdraw due to unresolved ADA accommodation issues. Despite this, a pre-trial conference was still scheduled, prompting the opposing…
A “Temporary” Order That Never Ended: Lawsuit Highlights Four Years of Father–Child Separation in Maryland
A lawsuit in Baltimore County highlights the issue of temporary family court orders becoming permanent, resulting in prolonged separation between a father, Jeff Reichert, and his son, Grant. Reichert claims a no-contact order led to nearly four years of…
Steny Hoyer Retires — And the ADA Legacy That Defined His Career
Steny Hoyer's legacy in Congress is primarily linked to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which he helped champion as a chief sponsor. The ADA transformed access and inclusion for millions of people with disabilities, although…
When Accessibility Becomes Optional: The White House ASL Interpreter Fight and America’s Disability Enforcement Gap
Federal court rulings requiring the White House to provide ASL interpreters for briefings highlight systemic issues in disability rights enforcement in the U.S. The American Sign Language debate reflects broader patterns where compliance with…