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The OLRS Headlines section provides information about activities, announcements, and opinions of the Ohio Legal Rights Service.
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August 27, 2008: Web accessibility class action suit settled
The National Federation of the Blind and Target settled a class action lawsuit regarding access to the Target.com Web site. Read more: Web Accessibility Class Action Suit Settled: Target Will Ensure Its Web Site is Accessible
August 19, 2008: OLRS comments on proposed ADA regulations
OLRS submitted comments in response to the
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the Department of Justice, which proposes major revisions to its regulations implementing Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Read the comments: OLRS submits comments: Americans with Disabilities Act Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (PDF file)
August 15, 2008: OLRS Commissioner receives award
OLRS Commissioner Wayne Cocchi was honored at the Ohio Governor's Council on People with Disabilities Annual Awards Ceremony with the Maureen Fitzgerald Leadership Award. Read more: Cocchi Receives Maureen Fitzgerald Leadership Award
August 15, 2008: OLRS Newsletter
Read the August edition of OLRS' newsletter. News from Ohio Legal Rights Service - August 2008
July 17, 2008: PLEAS lawsuit update
Judge Graham has denied a stay of the injunction in the PLEAS case; he has also stayed further activity at the trial court. Read the Order Denying Motion (PDF file) and Order Staying Case (PDF file)
July 16, 2008: Doe v. Salvation Army
OLRS won an employment discrimination appeal when the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a decision of a district judge who had granted summary judgment dismissal of a complaint filed against the Salvation Army for its failure to hire a person because of his disability. Read more: OLRS wins client's employment discrimination appeal; case returned to lower court
July 2, 2008: OLRS Strategic Planning Survey
Take OLRS' Strategic Planning Survey. Your answers and opinions will be used for strategic planning purposes and to improve client services to Ohioans with disabilities. Take the survey: OLRS Strategic Planning Survey
July 1, 2008: PLEAS update, Preliminary injunction
United State District Judge James Graham ordered a preliminary injunction against the Department of Job and Family Services and the Department of Mental Health. Read more: Judge orders preliminary injunction.
July 1, 2008: PLEAS update, TRO granted
Judge grants temporary restraining order and denies motion to dismiss case. Read more: Federal Judge rules in favor of children and families receiving medically necessary services through Medicaid
June 23, 2008: PLEAS lawsuit update
Two court orders are filed. Read more: CMS to be Defendant; Hearing for Temporary Restoring Order Scheduled
June 12, 2008: OLRS Voter Alert
Voters with disabilities should make sure that their polling places are accessible before they vote on election day. Read more: OLRS Voter Alert: Is your polling location accessible?
June 9, 2008: School's surrogate parent policy changed
OLRS complaint results in change of community/charter school's surrogate parent policy. Read more: ECOT Changes Surrogate Parent Policy in Response to OLRS Complaint
May 27, 2008: OLRS letter to ODMRDD Director John Martin
OLRS opposes ODMRDD's intent to establish an ICF/MR pilot project. Read more: OLRS notifies John Martin, ODMRDD expressing opposition to the Department's intent to establish an ICF/MR pilot project
May 21, 2008: New chairperson appointed to OLRS Commission
Kalpana Yalamanchili has been appointed by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer as Chair of the Ohio Legal Rights Service Commission. Read more: Kalpana Yalamanchili Appointed as Chair of Ohio Legal Rights Service Commission
May 6, 2008: PLEAS update
Federal Judge James L. Graham from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio held a conference with counsel from the OLRS and the Ohio Departments of Mental Health and Job and Family Services. Read more: Parents' League for Effective Autism Services (PLEAS) Case Update
May 2, 2008: OLRS files PLEAS complaint
OLRS files complaint seeking to prohibit reduction in medically necessary services for Children with Autism. Read more: OLRS Files Complaint: Seeks to Prohibit Reduction in Medically Necessary Services for Children with Autism
May 2, 2008: Spring edition of the OLRS newsletter is now available.
Read OLRS' latest newsletter: OLRS Newsletter - Spring 2008
April 18, 2008: OLRS Ombuds investigation prompts county board action to file MUI on neglect
An investigation by the OLRS Ombuds Section has prompted the Wood County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (WCBMRDD) to file a Major Unusual Incident (MUI) Report of neglect on the death of an individual with a disability. Read more: OLRS Ombuds Investigation of Death Prompts County Board to File MUI on Neglect
April 9, 2008: Defendant with mental retardation may not be executed
On April 9, 2008, the Supreme Court of Ohio reversed decisions by the trial and appellate courts which would have subjected a person with mental retardation to the death penalty. OLRS attorney Jane Perry, representing both OLRS and The Arc of Ohio, filed an amicus curiae (friend-of-the-court) brief in August 2006 to urge the Supreme Court to overturn the lower courts' decisions. Read more: Ohio Supreme Court Rules Defendant with Mental Retardation May Not Be Executed
April 1, 2008: Apply now for Medicaid Buy-In program
Individuals with disabilities can apply for the Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBI-WD) program beginning April 1, 2008. The MBI-WD program allows individuals to work and continue to receive Medicaid benefits. Read more: Medicaid Buy-In Program for Workers with Disabilities
March 24, 2008: OLRS files brief in Doe v. Marlington Local School District
OLRS filed a brief as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the Ohio Supreme Court urging that a law suit against a school district for injuries to a child with a disability be allowed to go forward. Read more: OLRS files brief in Doe v. Marlington Local School District urging Court to allow abuse lawsuit to move forward
March 14, 2008: OLRS files brief in special education case involving attorney fees
OLRS files friend of the court brief in a case involving a school district suing the family's special education attorney for attorney fees. Read more: OLRS files brief in case involving a school district suing the family's special education attorney for attorney fees
March 11, 2008: OLRS provides comments on proposed seclusion and restraint rule
OLRS provides comments to the Ohio Department of Mental Health on a proposed rule to eliminate seclusion and restraint in mental health facilities. Read more: Letter from OLRS about Proposed O.A.C. Section 5122-26-16 (PDF file)
March 5, 2008: Voting experiences
Did you have any problems voting? The primary election is over. If you experienced a problem with voting that was related to your disability, contact OLRS' Intake Unit. See: Need our Help? (March 5)
February 29, 2008: File your 2007 tax return to receive economic stimulus rebate
People receiving Social Security and certain veterans benefits may qualify for an economic stimulus payment (a cash rebate) from the federal government. Read more: Cash rebate available to low-income workers, and people who get certain disability and retirement benefits
February 28, 2008: Is your polling place accessible?
If not, OLRS wants to know. Read more: OLRS Voter Alert - Are You Ready to Vote? Is Your Polling Place Accessible?
February 22, 2008: Special voting edition of the OLRS newsletter
OLRS finds polling places inaccessible and focuses on informing voters with disabilities about their rights during the electoral process. See: OLRS Newsletter - Special Edition on Voting
February 21, 2008: Families of children with autism should contact OLRS if they experience a reduction in Medicaid benefits
Controversial rules cleared the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review on February 19. These rules will prevent Medicaid reimbursement for certain services provided at center-based programs for children with autism. OLRS wants to hear from families if they think their children will lose Medicaid services as a result of the changes to these rules. Read more: Families of children with autism should contact OLRS if they experience a reduction in Medicaid benefits
February 20, 2008: OLRS challenges Probate Court's removal of parents as individual's guardian
OLRS, on behalf of a individual with multiple disabilities, appealed a Probate Court's removal of the individual's parents as his guardians, and the appointment of Adult Protective Services, Inc. (APSI) as guardian. Read more: OLRS challenges Probate Court removal of parents as individual's guardian
February 15, 2008: CMS responds to OLRS about IO Waiver concerns
The Federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid responded to OLRS in regard to OLRS' allegations that Ohio's use of Individual Options waivers to fund the placement of children in a psychiatric residential treatment facility violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504. Read more: OLRS Action Prompts Oversight by Federal Agency
February 13, 2008: Winter 2008 OLRS newsletter
Read the current edition of OLRS' newsletter. See: OLRS Newsletter - Winter 2008
February 8, 2008: Voting by absentee ballot
OLRS provides answers to frequently asked questions about voting by absentee ballot. Read more: OLRS Voter Alert - Voting by Absentee Ballot
January 24, 2008: CMS requests additional information on MBI-WD program
ODJFS received a letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to request additional information on the proposed Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBI-WD) program.
January 18, 2008: OLRS Voter Alert
The deadline to register for the March primary is February 4, 2008.
Read more: OLRS Voter Alert: Register to Vote - Frequently Asked Questions
Read the headlines from 2007: OLRS Headlines - 2007 Archives