As the parent of a child with special needs, you are probably familiar with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, also known as IDEA, as well as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Although there is a relationship between the two statutes, they have different objectives. Section 504 is intended to eliminate barriers that exclude persons with disabilities or, in other words, to create a level playing field. This federal law is designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education.

On July 26, President Barack Obama signed an executive order entitled “Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities.” The order directs the Office of Personnel Management to develop hiring and retention strategies aimed at increasing federal employment of individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the order identifies the objective of hiring 100,000 persons with disabilities over the next five years.

Continuing care retirement communities are gaining in popularity as alternatives to home or nursing home care. A recent report released by the Government Accountability Office outlines some of the challenges these communities face, given the current economic climate.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children. Affecting an estimated three to five percent of children worldwide, ADHD can cause symptoms that last into adulthood. Children diagnosed with the disorder have to work on controlling impulsive behaviors and managing their attention issues, while their parents must keep a careful watch on their educational experience. School performance is one of the most common ways that a child is identified as having ADHD.

With an estimated 21 million families in the U.S. having at least one family member with a disability, your family is not alone. Also common with such families is the need for special needs planning. Have you planned for the future of your loved one with special needs? Perhaps your loved one’s needs are currently being taken care of in terms of finances, health and quality of life—but what about when you pass on? Although such topics force us to consider our own mortality, it is in the best interest of your loved one to think about things such as a letter of intent and special needs trust.

New FINRA Rule 6490 ties into Securities Exchange Act (SEA) Rule 10b-17 (Untimely Announcements of Record Dates) and became effective on September 27, 2010. Over-The-Counter Market (OTC) issuers must now give FINRA at least ten (10) calendar days advance notice of transactions including, but not limited to, any issuance or change to a symbol or…

If you are the parent of a child with special needs, you already know that a meeting is required at least once a year with school officials to discuss your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Education is one of the most important things in a child’s life, so it pays to be prepared. What specifically…

New businesses face lots of risks, no doubt. One of the best things you can do if you are beginning a business with a partner is to put together a partnership agreement.  This legal document clearly spells out the rights and responsibilities of each partner, which can minimize the chance of a legal dispute down…

In the world of venture capital, one of the common methods for minimizing investor risk is liquidation preference. But what is it, and how does it work? Liquidation preference, a common tool included in a venture financing deal sheet, assures that, should the company be liquidated or sold, preferred shareholders will always get something back…

With many recent high school graduates preparing to go off to college, parents may begin to grow concerned about their children’s ability to take responsibility and go out on their own. Although most graduates are legal adults when they leave the house, many of them are not ready to take on the responsibilities that come with being an adult. Many students entering college will still rely on their parents for financial and emotional support and will continue to use their parents’ health care insurance for their medical needs.