National Public Radio reported on a Disability Rights Legal Center lawsuit, C.C. v. Cypress School District. The DRLC filed the case on behalf of a six-year-old boy with severe autism whose school district has barred him attending class with his service dog. The story addresses a national trend where schools have been reluctant to admit, and even banned, service dogs from classrooms, and how new Americans With Disabilities Act regulations on service animals could influence this policy. Reporter Larry Abramson interviewed DRLC Legal Director Shawna Parks and the boy's mother. On May 3, the DRLC, along with co-counsel, Winston & Strawn LLP, filed a motion for preliminary injunction in federal court compelling the district to accommodate the boy's use of his service dog. The National Public Radio story, "Service Dogs Teach Educators About Disabilities," aired May 14.

John Villar de Longoria,  Community Outreach Program Director, attended the National ADA Symposium in Las Vegas from May 9 to May 11. The Symposium is designed to provide the latest information on Americans with Disabilities Act regulations and guidelines, implementation strategies, and best practices through dynamic, interactive sessions. The Symposium brings together the diverse groups that are affected by the ADA to network, problem solve, and share solutions. More than 95% of prior attendees reported they learned something that they could use on the job or in their communities.

At some point, nearly all workers need to take time away from work to deal with a serious personal or family illness, or to care for a new child. Laws providing paid family and medical leave allow workers to continue to earn a portion of their pay while they take time away from work to address these personal responsibilities. President Obama's proposed fiscal year 2012 budget includes $23 million to establish a state paid leave fund within the U.S. Department of Labor.The Disability Rights Legal Center has joined 172 organizations in signing a letter of support for this appropriation. The letter was sent last week to Honorable Denny Rehberg, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. If you would like to send a letter of support to your representative, feel free to borrow language from the coalition letter and the State Paid Leave Fund fact sheet.