Law & Disability Conferences
CHLP presents a conference at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick once or twice a year. This event is sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Education. It is open to the public and free of charge. The half-day program features experts in disability law and other fields that have an impact on people with disabilities and on seniors. Past panels have focused on such issues as access to health care, barrier-free housing, Social Security Disability Insurance, programs for people with developmental disabilities, changes in the state’s mental health system, special education, and long-term care.
The last conference was held on April 17, 2008.
Keynote Presentation
Joseph V. Doria, Jr., Commissioner, NJ Department of Community Affairs
Plenary Session
The Council on Affordable Housing's New Proposed Regulations
COAH's proposed third-round substantive regulations were published on January 22, 2008. This session covered the Department of Community Affair's proposed changes to the rules governing Mt. Laurel affordable housing, especially as they affect the new statutory requirement that affordable housing be accessible to people with mobility impairments.
Moderator: David Lazarus, Director of Litigation, CHLP
Panel:
Lucy Verhoeve, Esecutive Director, COAH
Adam Gordon, Esq., Fair Share Housing Center
Workshop 1
Predatory Lending Practices: How to Avoid Them and What to Do if You've Already Been Victimized
Predatory lending practices involving refinances and home improvement loans disproportionately affect low-income seniors, especially those in urban centers. High interest rates, excessive fees, prepayment penalties, and misrepresentations often lead to home foreclosure. This workshop offered guidance on how to recognize and avoid such practices, and how to respond to the threat of foreclosure.
Moderator: Richard Bennett, Esq., CHLP
Panel:
Rebecca Schore, Esq., Legal Services of New Jersey
Margaret Jurow, Esq., Legal Serviecs of New Jersey
Thomas Hunt, Assistance Division Director, Office of Consumer Finance, Banking Division, NJ Department of Banking and Insurance
Workshop 2
County Programs on Accessibility for People with Disabilities
Several counties have been in the vanguard of ensuring that their services, programs, and facilities are accessible to people with disabilities. Representatives from several county officials addressed accessibility issues.
Moderator: James Thebery, M.A., CSW, Director, Bergen County Division on DIsability Services
Panel:
Charles Newamn, Director, Union County Office for the Disabled
David Grennon, Director, Cumberland County Office for the Disabled
Workshop 3
Special Education:: Funding and Other New Developments in New Jersey
This workshop examined Governor Corzine's new schoo funding plan and how it will affect spending on special education programs. It also examined a newly enacted state law that imposes the burden of proof and production of evidence on school districts, rather than on students and families, in special education due process hearings.
Moderator: Stuart Weiner, Esq., Managing Attorney, CHLP
Panel:
Elizabeth Shea, Assistant Executive Director, the Arc of New Jersey
Brenda Considine, NJ Coalition for Special Education Funding Reform
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