Campaign to Promote Employment for People with Disabilities in Pennsylvania
October 19, 2009
CAMP HILL, PA - Many people with disabilities want to work, but need training and help to find a job. In addition, many individuals are afraid of losing social security and medical benefits. AHEDD, a private, non-profit agency announces the “Works for me” campaign. The initiative will expand awareness about how people with disabilities can join the workforce.
Launching in October to coincide with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the campaign will respond to what research has found to be several of the greatest barriers to employment among individuals with disabilities - the fear and/or misunderstanding of not receiving the support or training needed to obtain a job or losing financial security and health care benefits if employment is achieved.
“People with disabilities may be able to join the workforce and increase their financial well being,” according to John Miller, AHEDD Vice President. “The Social Security Administration and PA Department of Public Welfare have made improvements to policies and introduced new initiatives to promote employment. These efforts complement existing resources and services provided by the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Career Link system. There are numerous options available to help individuals find employment and increase their financial well being. “Works for me” helps individuals navigate what is sometimes a confusing system.”
“Works for me” is a resource for people with any kind of disability including mental health, physical, sensory or developmental. Through a Hotline number (1-866-902-4333 ext. 192), an individual can quickly and easily connect with a coordinator to determine which program is best for them and receive the guidance they need to make a decision about employment. Information is also available at www.WorksForMe-PA.org.
In Pennsylvania, there are over 530,000 working aged individuals with disabilities (ages 18-64), and over 60,000 youth receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration. According to a National Beneficiary Survey conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, 44% of beneficiaries reported a goal of getting a job or a better paying job within the next five years. Of these, over half were working or actively seeking employment during the prior year of the survey. This study and related initiatives contrast a common stereotype that people with disabilities can not work and will rely on government benefits for their entire life. According to Miller, “this represents a profound economic development opportunity for the state and local communities.”
On an individual level, there are countless benefits associated with employment for people with disabilities. “Employment gives a sense of purpose, pride, accomplishment and becomes part of a person’s identity,” he explained. “It provides an opportunity to take part in the community, develop new relationships and give back to society.” The “Works for me” program will encourage those who want to be employed and have the drive and motivation to join the workforce to do so without facing intimidation from complex and confusing rules and other barriers.
The “Works for me” campaign kick-offs in October with statewide television and billboard advertising in addition to the launch of a new Hotline and Web site. The campaign will share personal stories of people with disabilities who, through employment, have benefited both personally and financially. One such featured story will be that of Oni, a 50-year-old, Philadelphia woman employed as a Community Work Incentive Coordinator.
Oni is working because it helped her improve her quality of life. She discovered the WIPA program and found out what she’s eligible to receive without losing benefits. “Since working, I’m getting to a point where I don’t have to rely on social security anymore,” Oni said. “And it’s opened doors for things I wasn’t aware of.”
“I was scared that I would start to work and lose my benefits,” she explained. “But, I found out about WIPA, and realized that’s not true. I’ve had improvements made to my home to make it more accessible and received funding for my wheelchair.”
“Works for me” represents resources that can direct you to agencies and programs that help people with disabilities in Pennsylvania get a job. We will review your specific situation and guide you to resources that will help you find a job, obtain training, keep health insurance, get assistive technology, or find other support you may need. There are many great reasons to work and, with the resources we have available, it is possible! And, contrary to what some people believe, you can work without losing your financial security or health care benefits. “Works for me” is here to help answer your questions about working!
To learn more about personal stories or obtain additional information, please contact Karen Gross at (717) 432-2468 or visit www.WorksForMe-PA.org.
About AHEDD
AHEDD is a private, non-profit agency with a mission to serve the community as a catalyst in the employment and development of persons with disabilities. Established in 1977 with headquarters in Camp Hill, PA, AHEDD serves the community by collaborating with business, government and people with disabilities. AHEDD provides employment services and community education through a field office network throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware. AHEDD has collaborated with Suasion, LLC of Dillsburg, PA to design and launch the “Works for me” campaign. Suasion is a marketing and communications firm providing services to nonprofit and mission-based for-profit organizations such as health care providers; educational institutions; social services; advocacy, protection and education organizations; associations; and, long term and continuing care facilities.
This document was produced with funds from the CMS Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (CFDA# 93.768).
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Experienced Trial and Appellate Attorney Named Vice-Chair of Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA
October 19, 2009
(Harrisburg, Pa.) — Active trial and appellate attorney, Carl D. Buchholz, III has been named the new Vice-Chair of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania effective September 19, 2009. While his term as Vice-Chair is one year, he has also been reappointed for his second three-year term as a Board member. Having been appointed to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 2006 as a Board member, Buchholz feels privileged to be named Vice-Chair. “It is an honor not only to be reappointed to the Board, but to be appointed Vice-Chair. I look forward to using my past experience as a Board member to help me carry out the duties of Vice-Chair and assisting Board Chair William Pietragallo, III in carrying out the work of the Disciplinary Board. I hope to carry out those duties as well as outgoing Vice-Chair Frank O’Connor did,” says Buchholz, a Philadelphia native.
The Disciplinary Board is an independent agency funded by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and consists of 14 members, of whom 12 are attorneys and two are non-lawyers, from across the state. The Board assists the Supreme Court in carrying out its exclusive jurisdiction over the licensing and discipline of attorneys in Pennsylvania. The members meet regularly to decide cases, policies and board administrative matters.
Buchholz has prior experience in addressing ethical issues involving lawyers, having served on the Supreme Court’s Client Security Fund Committee as both Board member and Chairman. The Client Security Fund reimburses clients whose lawyers misappropriate their clients’ funds.
Buchholz is a partner at Rawle & Henderson, LLP, which has seven offices located throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, in addition to its main office in Philadelphia, Pa. With over 39 years of experience in law, Mr. Buchholz has substantial experience representing clients in appellate, insurance coverage, maritime, and casualty and premises liability matters.
As head of Rawle & Henderson’s Appellate and Maritime Departments, Buchholz has appeared before the Pennsylvania Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Courts, as well as United States Supreme Court. Buchholz’s practice also includes litigating insurance coverage and indemnity disputes related to commercial contracts and insurance policies.
Buchholz received his law degree from Villanova Law School in 1970, where he was a member of the Villanova Law Review and graduated with honors. He is a Proctor in Admiralty, and a member of the bars of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States District for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
About the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA
The Disciplinary Board’s goals are to protect the general public, maintain a high standard of integrity in the legal profession, and safeguard the reputation of the courts of Pennsylvania. The Disciplinary Board was created by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to review conduct and assure compliance by all attorneys to the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct. For more information about the Disciplinary Board, please visit www.padb.us.
For more information regarding this press release, please contact Megan Kurtz at 717-432-2468 or email at Megan@TheSuasionWay.com.
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Aggressive Actions Taken To Stop Disbarred Lawyer From Continuing To Practice
October 6, 2009
(Harrisburg, Pa.)— In early August of this year, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County a civil complaint, therein asking the Honorable Pamela Pryor Dembe, President Judge of that court, to enjoin a disbarred Philadelphia attorney from continuing to practice law. The last time ODC had to take such a drastic step to prevent a disbarred attorney from practicing law was 20 years ago.
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel is the investigative and prosecutorial arm of the Disciplinary Board, which is an agency of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The primary mission of ODC and the Disciplinary Board is to protect the public.
The complaint, which was filed against former attorney Allen L. Feingold, alleged that after his disbarment, Feingold pursued civil claims on behalf of himself and former clients as “co-plaintiffs”; failed to advise clients of his inability to practice law, as required by Supreme Court rules; and, used letterhead in the name of a licensed attorney, Jeffry Pearson, to mail and fax correspondence to lawyers, judges and clients, without Pearson’s knowledge or consent. In addition to requesting injunctive relief, ODC’s complaint requested that Judge Dembe appoint retired Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro to serve as conservator and to take control of the files of Feingold’s former clients.
In March 2006, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court suspended Feingold for three years for failing to correct false testimony given by a client during a deposition, instructing an employee in a medical office to falsely say that she could not locate the client-patient’s medical records that had been subpoenaed by opposing counsel, and filing two frivolous lawsuits. In August 2006, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court suspended Feingold for two years, to run consecutively to the first suspension, for choking a judge pro tem who had entered a ruling that Feingold did not agree with. Both orders of suspension directed Feingold to comply with rules requiring that he notify clients of his suspension and disengage from the practice of law.
Under disciplinary enforcement rules promulgated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania attorneys who are on inactive status, administratively suspended, suspended or disbarred are allowed to work in a law office that is staffed on a full-time basis by a supervising attorney who is licensed and in good standing. The rules, however, place significant restrictions on the former attorney. Direct communication with clients and third parties is limited to ministerial matters, such as scheduling and billing, and the former attorney is not allowed to render legal consultation or advice, appear on behalf of a client in court or at a deposition, negotiate a settlement, or handle client funds. A former attorney who is suspended or disbarred is not allowed to work for any law firm or lawyer with whom the former attorney was associated on or after the date on which the acts that resulted in the loss of license occurred, through and including the effective date of the disbarment or suspension.
In June 2007, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court entered an order holding Feingold in contempt for willful violation of the suspension orders and referred the matter to the Disciplinary Board for a hearing to determine the sanction. After finding that Feingold failed to notify clients of his suspensions; failed to withdraw his appearances from cases; continued to engage in “law-related activities;” and, failed to pay costs associated with the proceedings that led to his suspensions, the Disciplinary Board unanimously recommended that Feingold be disbarred. In August 2008, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court disbarred Feingold. The Disciplinary Board’s reports and recommendations to the Supreme Court in the suspension and disbarment matters are available at the Disciplinary Board’s Web site at www.padb.us.
According to the complaint for injunctive relief filed by ODC in the Court of Common Pleas, “there exists no adequate remedy at law to prohibit defendant’s [Feingold’s] conduct and therefore an injunction is necessary and warranted in this matter.”
William Pietragallo, II, Chairman of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA, said, “The disciplinary system exists to regulate attorney conduct, and ensure proper action is taken for individuals who don’t follow the rules. While an injunction is very rare, there are times when this drastic measure must be taken in order to protect the public.”
After hearings on several dates, Judge Dembe entered an order on September 2, 2009 enjoining Feingold from engaging in the unlawful practice of law, and an order on September 10, 2009 appointing Justice Nigro to act as conservator “to protect the interests of [Feingold’s] present and former clients.”
About Office of Disciplinary Counsel
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) is the investigative and prosecutorial division of the disciplinary system, and its primary mission is protection of the public. The role of ODC is to investigate complaints against attorneys, and when appropriate, prosecute. ODC also provides educational programs for attorneys and consumers. The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA is responsible for the ODC.
About Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
The Disciplinary Board’s goals are to protect the general public, maintain a high standard of integrity in the legal profession, and safeguard the reputation of the courts in Pennsylvania. The Disciplinary Board was created by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to review conduct and assure compliance by all attorneys with the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct and Pennsylvania Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement. For more information about the Disciplinary Board, and information about Pennsylvania attorneys, including license status and public discipline, please visit www.padb.us.
For more information about this press release, please contact Megan Kurtz at 717-432-2468 or Megan@TheSuasionway.com.
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