Episode 25: The Interplay between Guardianship and the ADA

Jonathan Martinis, the Legal Director for Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities and the Project Director, National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making will discuss the relationship between guardianship and the ADA. He has over 20 years’ experience representing people with disabilities in cases under the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Social Security Act and other civil rights laws.  In 2013, he represented Margaret "Jenny" Hatch in the "Justice for Jenny" case, which held that Ms. Hatch has a right to use Supported Decision-Making instead of being subjected to a permanent, plenary guardianship.  He also represented the plaintiffs in Brinn, et al. v. Tidewater Regional Transportation District, the first case to hold that people with disabilities have a right to paratransit transportation on a next-day basis, and Winborne, et al. v. Virginia Lottery, which held that the Lottery must ensure that premises selling Lottery tickets, including private businesses, are accessible to people with disabilities.

Quality Trust is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization focused on improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families.  Quality Trust works with individuals and family members to solve problems, identify opportunities for learning and contribution and find creative ways to minimize "differences" and make the most of each person's abilities.