Home » Disability » Page 2

Disability
Accountability / Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / Court Corruption / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Discrimination / Family Court / Law Enforcement / Misconduct / New York / New York Watch / Parental Rights / parental rights / Rights and Freedoms

Supervised Visitation in Westchester County: A Probation-Run Program That Proves False Arrest

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

In 2018, Marc Fishman was falsely arrested during a supervised visitation with his son, igniting a lawsuit over civil rights and disability discrimination. Under Westchester County policy, his probation officer was present, but law enforcement acted without her approval, highlighting systemic issues in the county’s handling of supervised visitation and civil rights violations.

Supervised Visitation in Westchester County: A Probation-Run Program That Proves False Arrest Read More
Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / California / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Equality & Equal Opportunity / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government Reform / Maryland / Mental Health / New York / San Marcos Abduction Attempt / The Fishman Files / The Smiel Series / Uncategorized

The Disabilities You Don’t See — and the Systems That Still Don’t See Us

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The article addresses the plight of individuals with invisible disabilities in America, highlighting systemic bias in courts and workplaces. Despite the ADA’s provisions, many face barriers due to outdated perceptions and bureaucratic inefficiencies, resulting in detrimental outcomes. Advocates emphasize the need for better enforcement and understanding of these disabilities.

The Disabilities You Don’t See — and the Systems That Still Don’t See Us Read More
3 - Investigations / Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / California / California Watch / Child Custody / Child Protective Services / Child Support / Child Trafficking / Child Welfare / Corruption / Court Corruption / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Government / Government Corruption / Law and Order / parental rights / Parental Rights / San Marcos Abduction Attempt / The Corruption Series / The Smiel Series / transparency

Paper Crime Scene: How a County Line Turned a Custody Dispute Into a Felony Case

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Giselle Farias Smiel faces felony charges for allegedly kidnapping her children, stemming from bureaucratic mistakes and insufficient evidence. The case highlights systemic failures, including secrecy and lack of inter-agency communication, which overshadow due process and create a troubling precedent for parental rights and disability protections within the legal system.

Paper Crime Scene: How a County Line Turned a Custody Dispute Into a Felony Case Read More
Accountability / Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Education / Education / Education Reform / Government / Law and Order / Laws / Oklahoma / State Lawmakers

The Ramp, Not the Ribbon-Cutting: How an Edmond Playground Exposed a Civil Rights Problem in Plain Sight

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Parents and educators at Will Rogers Elementary in Edmond, Oklahoma, are advocating for true ADA compliance in playground design, highlighting that recent installations fail to provide equal access for children with disabilities. The case reflects broader systemic issues of compliance neglect and retaliation against advocates, exposing a culture prioritizing image over inclusivity.

The Ramp, Not the Ribbon-Cutting: How an Edmond Playground Exposed a Civil Rights Problem in Plain Sight Read More
Accountability / Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / California / California Watch / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Domestic Violence / Due Process Denied / Family Court / San Marcos Abduction Attempt / The Smiel Series / transparency

“We Aren’t Having One of Those Today”

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

During a federal shutdown, a Los Angeles courtroom silenced advocates and observers during a hearing for domestic violence survivor Giselle Smiel, violating her ADA rights. Despite a provided Teams link for remote access, court staff denied participation, raising concerns over public oversight and institutional failure in providing justice and transparency for vulnerable individuals.

“We Aren’t Having One of Those Today” Read More
Accountability / Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / California / California Watch / Child Custody / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Corruption / Court Corruption / Court Reform / Crime & Violence / Criminal / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Discrimination / Domestic Violence / Due Process Denied / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Government Corruption / Legal Reform / parental rights / Parental Rights / Rights and Freedoms / San Marcos Abduction Attempt / The Corruption Series / The Smiel Series / transparency

The Records They Wouldn’t Release — and the Mother They Jailed

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The case of Giselle Smiel highlights significant issues of transparency and jurisdictional failures in California’s justice system. After a May 2025 incident involving alleged child abduction, Smiel faced six felony charges despite having no criminal history. Denied access to public records and effective legal representation, she remains in jail, raising concerns over systemic accountability and due process.

The Records They Wouldn’t Release — and the Mother They Jailed Read More
Accountability / Ada Accommodations / Advocacy / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / Child Custody / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Discrimination / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Maryland / Mental Health / Montgomery County / Parental Rights / parental rights / Rights and Freedoms

Maryland Family Courts vs. Invisible Disabilities: Rights Denied, Families Punished

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

In Maryland, family courts often fail to protect children and uphold parental rights, exploiting invisible disabilities like ADHD and PTSD to unjustly strip parents of custody. Accommodation requests are frequently denied, leading to stigmatization and systemic bias. The need for reforms and accountability is urgent, as families suffer without proper support.

Maryland Family Courts vs. Invisible Disabilities: Rights Denied, Families Punished Read More
Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Discrimination / Education / Education Reform / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Maryland / Montgomery County / Rights and Freedoms

Maryland’s ADA Mirage: Rhetoric, Red Tape, and the Quiet Punishment of Invisible Disabilities

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Maryland’s political rhetoric emphasizes equity and inclusion but often fails to deliver for families with invisible disabilities. Delays, excessive documentation, and systemic skepticism hinder access to necessary accommodations in education and court settings. Despite awareness of the issues, accountability remains elusive, leaving families to struggle for support amidst bureaucratic barriers.

Maryland’s ADA Mirage: Rhetoric, Red Tape, and the Quiet Punishment of Invisible Disabilities Read More
Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / bias / Civil Rights / Corruption / Court Corruption / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Family Court / Fraud / Government / Government Corruption / Misconduct / New York / New York Watch / The Corruption Series / The Fishman Files

Justice Denied: Why New York Must Answer for Marc Fishman

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A disabled father, Marc Fishman, faces wrongful imprisonment in New York despite clear evidence of his innocence, including admission from the arresting officer, Officer Schlesinger, later identified as corrupt. The prosecution disregards ethical obligations and fails to provide necessary accommodations. Marc’s story underscores systemic injustices threatening all citizens’ rights.

Justice Denied: Why New York Must Answer for Marc Fishman Read More
Ada Accommodations / Beyond Barriers and Disability Rights / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Disability / Disability Rights / Disability Rights / Discrimination / Family Court / Laws / Mental Health / Rights and Freedoms

The ADA in State Courts: A Promise Betrayed for Americans with Invisible Disabilities

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Americans with Disabilities Act aimed to ensure accessibility for all, yet invisible disabilities remain largely unrecognized in courts, with inadequate staff training and compliance. This neglect leads to severe injustices, reflecting systemic bias. Court reforms are necessary, including appointing ADA coordinators, enforcing accountability, and enhancing digital accessibility, to uphold true justice.

The ADA in State Courts: A Promise Betrayed for Americans with Invisible Disabilities Read More