Volume 06 | June 2018
Your monthly news & updates
A note from Matt....
"Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer."
  • Dean Koontz

"Compassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man."
  • Arthur Schopenhauer

I really like dogs! 

  • Matthew Dietz, Chair-Elect of the Animal Law Section of the Florida Bar
Matt with a bag with Delilah is in the bag
Aftereffect
Aftereffect is a podcast produced by WYNC Studios, and hosted by Audrey Quinn. In this series, Audrey weaves Arnaldo Rios-Soto’s story and explains how Florida is ill-equipped to provide adequate community-based services for him, and what he went through. 

At Disability Independence Group, we represent many Persons with Disabilities who may not be able to express themselves in the same way that a neurotypical person may do so. Audrey Quinn tells Arnaldo’s story from many different standpoints, including his own standpoint. 


Drawing of silhouettes of two officers aiming rifles at a man sitting on a street and a man lying on the ground with his arms up.  There is a logo for WYNC Studios with four different sized black bars on a white background.
How Hooters killed a Bad Florida Pro-Business ADA Protection Law
Last July, I railed against the Florida Legislature’s attempt to dilute the Americans with Disabilities Act in an article entitled, Florida’s Not So happy Anniversary Present to the ADA . I maintained that newly enacted Section 553.5141, Florida Statutes, violated basic tenants of federalism and violated the ADA. The law was effectively killed by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Haynes v. Hooters of America , Case No. 17-13170

Hooters logo with an owl with the two eyes as O's
“No Ultrasound – No Lease” and “Show me your scar” - Discrimination in Affordable Housing in Broward County
Sorrento’s assistant manager called Ms. Davis and asked if she was pregnant. She responded that she was. Sorrento’s assistant manager stated that she should have let them know that she was pregnant in her application, and that she was required to show them a letter from her doctor and an ultrasound picture at the time of the tenancy. Soon thereafter, on January 11, 2018, Sorrento sent a Notice of Non-Renewal of Lease Agreement

Click Here to Read the article written by HOPE with an addition by Matt Dietz
Litigation Update – Hobbs v. Florida Board of Bar Examiners
Decorated Army Vet Seeks Admission to the Florida Bar, but treatment for psychological scars lead to additional character and fitness barriers
On June 16, 2018, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle upheld Captain Julius Hobbs cause of action against the Florida Court’s licensing board, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, for establishing discriminatory barriers based on his adjustment disorder as a result of his ten year service in the U.S. Army. Cpt. Hobbs case is a clarion call for immediate changes to remove barriers to the legal profession for persons who seek mental health assistance.

Julius Hobbs wearing his army camouflage with a shaved head in Iraq
Out and About with DIG


National Disability Voter Registration Week
July 16-20, 2018

Supper Social Club
August 6, 2018

NACC
August 23-25, 2018
San Antonio, TX


capital one logo with a red boomerang on the top of the name.
Free Financial Training
Budgets made easy.
A personal budget can help you take control of your money without sacrificing everything.In this course we’ll learn the basics of budgeting, explore a few budgeting tools and explore setting short term and long terms goals. Space is limited. This event will have ASL service available.

At the Capital One Cafe on Miracle Mile.
50 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 11am

Summer Photo Album
Matthew and Debbie Dietz next to Sherri Hazeltine and Rex from the Royal DJs
Matthew and Debbie Dietz next to Sherri Hazeltine and Rex from the Royal DJs at the Family Cafe
Matt and Debbie next to the Guido the Family cafe chef
Matt and Debbie next to the Guido the Family Cafe chef 
Matt showing off the animal law section award with pit bull puppy in a bag
Matt being given the Animal Law Section award with pit bull puppy, Delilah, in a bag
Gregg Morton giving Matthew Dietz the Animal Law Section award in the Puppy Pti
Gregg Morton giving Matthew Dietz the Animal Law Section award in the Puppy Pit
Animal Services table from The Puppy Pit at the Florida Bar
Osceola County Animal Services table from The Puppy Pit at the Florida Bar
Debbie hugging Delilah the puppy face
Debbie hugging Delilah the six week old puppy
florida bar puppy pit sign
Puppy Pit hours at the FL Bar Conference
ten reasons to have a companion animal sign from puppy pit.
10 reasons to have a companion animal.
sponsor sign from puppy pit
Thanks so much all of the Sponsors of the Puppy Pit , Pets Ad Litem, Hon. Lester Langer (Ret.), Andromeda Monroe, Dave Boyer, Debbie Brown, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Peggy Hoyt, Ralph A DeMeo, and Baker Donelson
DIG Intern Carolina with Debbie, Matt, and Max
DIG Intern Carolina with Debbie, Matt, and Lucy
Debbie and Wallet Card Training at Marino Campus at FIU with the FIU Police
Bob Josefsberg giving Matthew Dietz the prized Podhurst Josefsberg tennis trophy
Bob Josefsberg giving Matthew Dietz the prized Podhurst Josefsberg tennis trophy
Susan Windmiller, president of the League of Women Voters in Miami-Dade, Florida Law Foundation Fellow Kelly Hawk, Debbie Dietz and Sharon Langer
Alison Bethel and Matthew Dietz embracing
Alison Bethel and Matthew Dietz embracing
DIG and Legal Services of Greater Miami training
DIG and Legal Services of Greater Miami training on The Baker Act
Award winners Tony Musto and Matthew Dietz - accompanied by Section president Craig McCarthy and Chief Justice Labarga
Award winners Tony Musto and Matthew Dietz - accompanied by Section president Craig McCarthy and Chief Justice Labarga
Matt smoking a cigar with Fair Housing friends Vince Larkins Arturo Alvarado Daniel Bustamante Marcos
Matt and Friends from the National Fair Housing Alliance Conference
Yarelys Mirabal in front of the entry sign for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
Yarelys Mirabal in front of the entry sign for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
Big THANK YOU to Helen Colby for donating a wheelchair for a big dog!
thank you with a yellow smiley face.
Debbie Dietz and Helen Colby wearing black t-shirts in front of a tropical home.
Kids Crusaders Corner
Julie will be back soon.
Kids Crusaders Logo
DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER TO VOTE .

rev up campaign logo in blue and red
Miami Inclusion Alliance
Emergency Response Plans can be an important tool to help victims of domestic violence or sexual assault communicate with first responders after they have been involved in an incident of violence. They can be particularly helpful if the victim has cognitive or intellectual disabilities or is suffering from trauma. The plan can convey all the vital information first responders need to offer help, but the victim is unable to communicate at the moment of crisis.

These Plans are normally forms that someone can fill out in advance and have on hand in case of an emergency. They can have information about insurance, personal care attendant contact information, medications, pertinent diagnosis, medical contacts and family contacts, if appropriate.

These forms should be kept on someone’s person and in their home as, well. They can be customized to fit the individual’s needs.

They could also include some preferred methods of communication.

There is no required format that must be used and each form can be created to serve the needs of each person using one.
If you know someone that might benefit from such a tool, I suggest you discuss its possibility with them. Here is a link to a sample Plan from San Diego. Behavioral Health Emergency Response Plan .

We all hope that they are never needed but can be a big help if a crisis arises. 
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Sharon Langer at sharon@justdigit.org
Lucille's Wall
By: Lucy
Lucy has been busy helping Matt organize the Puppy Pit at the FL Bar Conference, she will have a new article next month, but she thinks that everyone should become a member of the Florida Bar Animal Law Section.
Matt sitting at his desk with Lucy the dog.
Like our Facebook Pages
DIG Facebook Page - General DIG information
Deaf Alice Facebook Page - Issues related to the Deaf Community







Kids Crusaders Facebook Page - Issues related to medically fragile and medically complex children and their families







Animal Partners Facebook Page - Issues related to service animals and emotional support animals
Benefits Information
Giving Kids a Head Start

Vilmarie's Story

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The View from Here
Justine will be back next month
Head shot of Justine
The Wallet Card Project
The wallet card is a tool for young adults or adults to use when they come into contact with law enforcement; either a a victim, a witness, or as a potential suspect.

The wallet card will help to clarify any interaction with law enforcement so that the behavior of the person with a disability is not misinterpreted as suspicious or as criminal behavior.


The Wallet Card Project is a collaboration with DIG, CGPD, and UM-NSU CARD.
Wheels & Heels
Lorinda will be back next month
Lorinda in front of a cabinet in her home.
Education Information
DIG is honored to be a part of the Education Justice Collaborative working on a grant with Legal Services of Greater Miami to prevent illegal and unnecessary Baker Acts of children from school by providing individual representation for at risk students in Miami-Dade and Monroe County. So what is the Baker Act and who is at risk? More often than not, the children who are most at risk of being Baker Acted are those with invisible disabilities, including developmental and intellectual disabilities.


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Follow us on Twitter @dislaw
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Follow us on Twitter @justdigit
Shop Amazon Smile
When you shop Amazon Smile, you can support our organization.
Supper Social Club
Join us for dinner and conversation at California Pizza Kitchen in Coral Gables.

August 6, 2018
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Dragonfly Training
Watch out for our new training program called Dragonfly.

Coming Soon.
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Follow us on Instagram
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Follow us on Instagram DisabilityIndependenceGroup
Your Upward Journey
In a nutshell, Your Upward Journey: It is Easier Than You Think!, is a three-part project (book, self-help seminars and merchandise sale). I intend to promote the book through self-help seminars and sale of merchandise, such a mugs, journals, etc.

Disability Independence Group | Phone: 305-669-2822 | Fax: 304-441-4181