Apple, Inc. Promoting Accessibility 

In light of last month being Autism Awareness Month, Apple released two short films of a non-verbal teenager with Autism. These films preview how accessibility features and specialized apps paired with an iPad profoundly change the teenager's life simply because he is able to communicate with his peers.

If you visit Apple's page, the company offers a variety of accessibility tools to assist special education students and those with vision, hearing, physical & motor skills, and learning & literacy impairments. 

Tip of the Month

As we approach Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and Committee of Special Education (CSE) season, parents need to be aware that school districts do not have the right to reschedule an IEP meeting just because a parent brings an attorney. Click below to read the US Department of Education's Office on Special Education interpretation of the Individuals with Disabilites Education Act (IDEA) in relation to this issue.

Finding the Right Camp for Your Child with Special Needs
By:Adrienne J. Arkontaky, Esq.
Vice President and Managing Attorney of the White Plains Office

Thinking about choosing a summer camp in the "dog days" of Winter seemed a long way off but as many parents know, it is imperative to start planning early as many camps have limited openings and finding the "right" camp can be a challenge. Choosing a summer camp for children with special needs can be even more daunting for families.  Continue reading..
 

Spotlight on Special Moms

In 2012, two moms of special needs teens began a Facebook Support Group for moms with special needs children. Dana DeRuvo Hanner, R.N. and Susan Kleiman's goal was to create a support group and a page that centralized resources for moms with special needs children in Westchester. Today, the Special Moms Network has grown into an international community of moms sharing and supporting one another with information and advice. Please take a moment to explore this wonderful resource by clicking on the button below. 

Team Updates

We have continued to expand our team!

Andrew Pappert is the lead attorney in the Cleveland Ohio Office. Andrew is a graduate of Le Moyne College where he received his B.A. in Political Science. While at Le Moyne, he earned an Integral Honors degree, which is the highest degree awarded by the college. He continued to Syracuse University College of Law, where he obtained his J.D. in 2015. While in law school, Andrew was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and was an Assistant Editor on the Journal on Terrorism and Security Analysis. He was also the President of Syracuse's Federalist Society and a Lieutenant Governor for the American Bar Association.

Sonja D. Kerr in the Austin Office is the firm's Director of Impact Litigation. Ms. Kerr was honored to serve as the first chair of the nationwide Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and continues to be involved with COPAA. Ms. Kerr provides representation through both class actions and individual representations. Ms. Kerr has litigated special education cases in twelve different states on behalf of students with a variety of disabilities, gaining a national reputation for groundbreaking litigation on behalf of children with disabilities. Recent cases include a class action against the State of Pennsylvania to ensure funding for an impoverished school district, and a class action and favorable partial judgment on behalf of students with autism in the School District of Philadelphia requiring parental participation in school placement decisions.

Alison Morris is an attorney in the White Plains Office.  Alison focuses her practice on special education advocacy and litigation. Alison graduated summa cum laude from Pace Law School. While at Pace, Alison worked on cases for children with special needs in the Disability Rights Clinic, interned for the Department of Justice in the Disability Rights Section, and externed for the Honorable Kenneth M. Karas in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. She was also an editor of the Pace International Law Review, and was awarded the Extraordinary Pro Bono Justice Award. Alison graduated magna cum laude from Wheaton College.  

Katrina Goyco is an attorney in the White Plains office.  She currently focuses her practice on special education litigation, and is devoted to helping the underserved in the community. Katrina previously worked in a national law firm, focusing on labor and employment law.  She also worked for the New York State Attorney General's Office and the New York City Administration for Children's Services.  She collaborated with Legal Services NYC and the Asian American Bar Association of New York in organizing a project to help qualifying immigrant victims of domestic violence obtain U-visas.  For these efforts, Legal Services NYC recognized Katrina in 2014 as one of its Top 30 Pro Bono Attorneys.  Prior to coming to the Cuddy Law Firm, Katrina worked for a boutique law firm in New York City representing students with special education needs in due process hearings.

Antony M. Eminowicz is Of Counsel to the Cuddy Law Firm.  His practice focuses on special education advocacy and litigation.  Antony is a dual qualified attorney licensed to practice in both New York as well as England & Wales. He graduated from Albany Law School and is a current vice chair of the Special Needs Planning Committee of the New York State Bar Association and a member of the Special Education Committee of the Elder Law and Special Needs Law Section. Being the only hearing person raised by a deaf family, Mr. Eminowicz is fluent in a form of sign language known as 'sign supported English' and has witnessed a lifetime of disability issues. His professional and personal experiences have made him an effective, compassionate advocate for those with special needs.