Legal Council for Health Justice’s Policy Analyst, Barb Cohen (she/her), specializes in the advancement of accessible and quality special education. Her outreach to WBEZ reporters Sarah Karp and Kristen Schorsch exemplifies civil society collaborating to investigate and report on children’s legal issues to better hold our policy makers accountable & advocate for change.

In a three-part series, WBEZ’s reporters discuss the limitations of the Illinois’ Screening, Assessment & Supportive Services (SASS) Program and also report on the various factors explaining the insufficient treatment options. Read more in our blog!

Children with disabilities have the right to be educated with their peers, within the school setting, and with the supports and services allowing them to receive an education. But if a student is regularly removed from their classroom, the student cannot receive that education.  The exclusion is called an “informal removal". The practice of informal removals is extremely problematic for working parents – it is also illegal, because it prevents students from accessing their education and other vital services.

Click below to learn more in our blog post!

Social Security Administration (SSA) has published a proposed regulation that would take a small step toward updating outdated financial rules for the SSI program. SSI provides lifesaving benefits to disabled people and older adults, but people can see their benefits cut by a third if they receive meals or groceries from friends and family.

Take Action NOW! Tell SSA that you support this change. Urge SSA to move quickly to make more meaningful updates in the coming months. 

Please read more in our blog and comment on Social Security's website by April 17th!

This year, more than 2,500 clients and their families will receive life-changing and life-saving care from Legal Council. Get to know some of our clients by reading their stories.