Loud & Clear: Family Conversations is written by our member attorneys and guests for individuals with disabilities and their families. We tackle the day-to-day and long-range issues that affect the quality of life. Readers are welcome to comment on the discussion, though we can not answer legal questions here. For answers to specific legal questions, please find an attorney in our Directory.
Preparing for Tomorrow: What Parents of Adult Children with Special Needs Need to Know
For parents of children with special needs, growing older doesn’t just mean preparing for your retirement and worrying about creaky joints. Ensuring your adult child's future health, happiness, and financial well-being requires preparation, too.
What’s So Great About Supplement Security Income & Medicare for Adults with Special Needs
This article is provided by SNA member Elizabeth Gray, CELA or McCandlish & Lillard in Fairfax, VA. Elizabeth focuses her practice on elder law and special needs law; trust, estate [...]
Securing the Future: The Essential Role of Special Needs Planning and Financial Planning
This article is provided by Andrew Hook, CELA of Hook Law Center in Virginia Beach, VA. Andy is a founding member of the Special Needs Alliance, and also is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®). He focuses on elder law, special needs planning, and asset protection.
Brooke Ellison. A Life with Purpose and Resilience
Life After High School Challenges, Options, and Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities
High school graduation is an important day in the life of a child with special needs. But knowing what to do next is even more important. Here are some things to keep in mind as your child transitions from high school into adulthood.
Unpacking the New Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Learn key information about the recent ADA web content accessibility regulations developed by the Department of Justice.
Training Workers with Disabilities and Educating Employers: Moji Coffee + More
Five years ago, a group of parents in Winston-Salem, North Carolina created Moji Coffee + More out of a desire to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Now this June, Moji celebrates its fifth anniversary and its evolution from a simple coffee shop into a catalyst of change for employees and businesses alike.
Locating Inpatient Mental Health Treatment for People with Disabilities
Seeking inpatient mental health treatment can be daunting, especially when considering the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Whether the individual is a minor or an adult, understanding the complex legal issues involved in assisting a loved one get the help they need is crucial in making informed decisions.
Tips for Securing Long-Term Nursing Care for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Transitioning a loved one with developmental disabilities to a long-term care (LTC) facility is a challenging process. The search process can feel daunting due to concerns surrounding the quality of care, financial aspects, and the individual's adjustment to new routines. Additionally, if you are the individual's guardian or family member, you may also need to face the task of choosing between permanent placement and the possibility of multiple transitions. Thorough planning can help reduce those concerns.
Powers of Attorney and Your Child with Special Needs
Powers of attorney are critical when you have an older child with special needs. If you are the parent of a child with special needs, you likely have grown accustomed to making medical, educational, and legal decisions on behalf of your child as a minor. When your child turns 18 and becomes a legal adult, your legal authority ends as your child’s parent. However, when your adult child has special needs, they may still need significant assistance in making these types of decisions or may be unable to make them altogether. Whatever your family’s situation may be, a special needs attorney can assist you in determining whether powers of attorney are right for you and your family.
Long-Term Care Planning for Children with Disabilities
When you are the parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities, planning for your child’s future starts early. One top consideration for your loved one as they age is planning for their long-term care. Read what to consider when embarking on the planning process.
Special Needs Planning: Ensuring a Smooth Transition
Planning for the future can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking the time carefully to plan now, you can ensure a smooth transition later.
Divorce and Children with Special Needs
Of the many life challenges and circumstances that can potentially disrupt the life of a child with special needs, divorce is undoubtedly one of the most difficult situations to contend [...]
How Do Fair Market Values on Housing Affect SSI Payments?
It's not uncommon for parents of adult children with special needs to have their children live with them rent-free or charge them a small amount for rent. When that amount is under the fair market value of the area, are the child's SSI payments affected?
Transferring Guardianship Between States
Moving is one of the most stressful things that anyone can do, let alone helping someone who has special needs move. Different states have different rules that may further complicate a move involving a person who is under guardianship.
Tips for Navigating an IEP Meeting: A Guide for Parents & Guardians
For parents and guardians, we are providing tips and insights on navigating IEP meetings to advocate for their child with special needs. In addition to general tips, we will also discuss understanding IEP qualifications, common accommodations, and the benefits of having an advocate.
Preparing Young Adults with Disabilities for College
Every parent experiences some anxiety as they prepare to send their child to college, but for parents of children with disabilities, those anxious feelings can grow exponentially. We are sharing some helpful tips to help allay your nerves and ease the transition process for both you and your child.
Buying a House with a Third-Party Special Needs Trust and Medicaid Repayment
No Medicaid repayment is necessary upon the beneficiary’s death for third-party supplemental needs trusts. But what happens if the third-party trust purchases a home for the beneficiary, is it subject to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) one-third reduction rule? The following answers that question.
Turning 65: Changes to Consider for Individuals with Special Needs
When a family member approaches age 65, there are often significant changes to benefits and supports. In addition, there are opportunities that can offer future benefits to your loved one that need to be addressed, some before your loved one turns 65. What services may be changing? What do family members need to know? To help prepare for this transition, we have highlighted some of the top considerations.
Understanding and Navigating the Caregiver Shortage
The caregiver shortage is a growing problem for people with disabilities, older adults, and those that support them. Quality of life and care are often significantly compromised for all care partners. This article strives to answer the questions - how did we get to this point? And what can you do if you need caregiving help?