This fascinating account—of a jurist by a jurist—notes in its early pages that Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas had a childhood bout of fever and paralysis, suspected to be polio. It “left him a small, sickly child with spindly
Kakalec Law PLLC Blogs
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Colonial Era Disability Practice from My Hometown
In A Disability History of the United States, Kim E. Nielson provides an ambitious compilation of research about people with disabilities on this continent, from pre-1492 to present. It is a thorough reference work that I’ll be consulting for
What Do the Supreme Court’s Vaccine Mandate Decisions Mean for Workers? Not as Much as You Think
The Supreme Court recently handed down two decisions, going in opposite directions, about vaccine mandates. Based on some of the calls I’ve received, people are confused about what they mean for individual employees trying to navigate vaccine mandates at work.
Does Sending Police to People in Mental Health Crisis Violate Disability Rights Laws?
Justin Baraga’s mother wanted someone to help him. She asked for medical help; police came. The police grabbed him, strapped him to a gurney, and forcibly took him to the hospital, which released him without treatment. He was never charged with
Book Review: My Grandmother’s Hands
Resmaa Menakem’s book, My Grandmother’s Hands, is one of the most insightful works I have read in recent years. It gave me a deep understanding of, as its subtitle states, racialized trauma and the pathway to mending hearts and
Legal Rights and Vaccine Mandates: Myths and Realities
These are uncertain and divisive times. But I believe in getting the facts straight. From what I am hearing, many disability community members favor vaccines, while some have concerns about getting vaccinated.
Everyone deserves to make choices informed
Literature Review: Legal Action Center’s Emergency
Hospital ERs May Have to Offer Substance Use Treatment and “Warm Handoff” Referrals
In the midst of a substance use public health crisis, Legal Action Center (LAC), a New York-based nonprofit, has issued a call to arms. Sika Yeboah-Sampong, Ellen
COVID, Temporary Disabilities, and the ADA
What medical conditions are, or should be, covered by disability rights laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
It’s a hot topic in these times. The federal government recently weighed in to say that at least some COVID
Book Review: Lost Connections
On the recommendation of a loved one with depression, I have been reading Johann Hari’s Lost Connections. It’s a book that traces the journey of the author, a journalist who has been diagnosed with depression since he was a
Is There a Disability Rights Case for Mandatory Vaccinations?
As COVID vaccines head toward full FDA approval, many are debating the pros and cons of mandatory vaccination policies at work or in public accommodations. There has been substantial analysis about whether individuals who object to mandates could sue,