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disability

Bill would add ‘gender identity’ to hate crimes

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Legislation filed in the Florida House would add violence against an individual based on “gender or gender identity” to the state’s list of hate crimes. Rep. Joseph Geller, an Aventura Democrat, filed the bill (HB 211) Tuesday.

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‘Safety valve’ wanted for mandatory-minimum drug law

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In 2008, an Orange County, Florida, judge sentenced William Forrester to 15 years in prison for 15.6 grams of oxycodone, or about 30 pills. Forrester was on disability insurance and had a lung surgically removed due to cancer not long before his arrest, according to court documents. But possession of the oxycodone, combined with a forged prescription to obtain it, turned him into a narcotics trafficker under Florida’s mandatory minimum drug law. “If was an option, then certainly we would…

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Susan Ward: Disability Employment Awareness Month offered reminder that employers need to put differently-abled to work

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Ahh, the Sunshine State — where it’s just another day in paradise and theme parks whisk visitors to fantasies where dreams come true. Problem is the reality isn’t so fancy for the many unemployed Floridians with a disability. Statistics from the Florida Scorecard Research report show that 63 percent of residents with a disability who want to work aren’t working. That’s a particularly disheartening lowlight considering the state last month observed Disability Employment Awareness Month. What gives? Let’s start with…

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Today on Context Florida: Donald Trump great president, the best of times, smart Republicans and employment & disability

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Today on Context Florida: Stephen Kurlander forced himself the other night to watch – in totality – Donald Trump speak at two rallies in Ohio before that state’s primary. Initially, he had significant reservations about voting for him. But Kurlander says there is something inside him that says that Trump will prove himself — that he will be an evolutionary politician that will lead America into an era of prosperity and democratic leadership in the world. Deep down, Kurlander thinks Trump…

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Must-read: Vocational rehab program could be on the state’s chopping block

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There’s a bill floating through both the House and the Senate that has raised nary an eyebrow, but could have some very real implications for people with disabilities in Florida. The agency that runs the program isn’t speaking out about it. And organizations that support persons with disabilities have been lukewarm on the issue. But one Tampa woman is trying to shine a light on a bill she sees as a potential dismantling of crucial disability benefits. Faith Olivia Babis was…

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