Latest news with #AmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990
Chicago Tribune
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Griffith student places second in state with doc on disability rights activist
A Griffith High School student recently placed second in Indiana's National History Day competition, which helped her documentary on a disability rights activist advance to the national competition. 'I was so proud of myself and everyone that helped me with it,' Natalie Wadkins, a junior at Griffith High School, said. 'I hope people take away that inclusion starts with them.' In the 10-minute documentary, Wadkins highlights the work of Kitty Cone, who was born with muscular dystrophy, and her fight for federal approval of Section 504 part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stated that any program receiving federal funding couldn't exclude or discriminate against people with disabilities, Wadkins said. The law wasn't enforced for four years, Wadkins said, which sparked anger and frustration among people with disabilities, Wadkins said. So, Cone and other activists organized a sit-in at the San Francisco Federal Building, she said. The 504 sit-in began April 5, 1977, and the activists remained in the building for nearly a month, making it the longest sit-in inside a federal building in U.S. history, Wadkins said. Cone was a key component of the sit-in, Wadkins said, as she organized resources, like beds and first-aid, and connected with members of other organizations, like the Black Panthers, to grow the movement for the sit-in and disability rights. Ultimately, on April 28, 1977, the government implemented Section 504, Wadkins said. But, activists like Cone continued to push for expanded rights for people with disabilities, like the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, she said. After the sit-in, Cone went on to advocate for better accessibility, work protections and representation for people with disabilities, Wadkins said. Wadkins, who is the vice president of Griffith High School's Best Buddies program, said she chose to research the 504 sit-in because the topic of disability rights is important to her. As a member of Best Buddies, Wadkins said she spends time with students with intellectual disabilities. 'I see the barriers that they face,' Wadkins said. 'Best Buddies has shown me how important inclusion and advocacy are in real life, just every day. It's made me want to highlight the leaders that made their lives better.' Wadkins worked on the documentary for National History Day as part of her Advanced Placement U.S. History class. Wadkins began researching the 504 sit-in by reading books and articles, and listening to first-hand accounts of the sit-in, she said. Then, she wrote the script for the documentary and began gathering historical photos, video and audio clips, Wadkins said. As she edited the documentary together, Wadkins said she focused on pacing, emotional impact and accuracy. The National History Day competition begins at the district level, Wadkins said, and four students advance to the state level. Wadkins said four students submitted entries for the district level, so they all advanced to state. At the state level, Wadkins said her documentary was up against eight other documentaries. The judges had to choose four documentaries to advance to the final round, she said. When her documentary ended, Wadkins said one of the three judges sat back and said, 'wow.' They told her they liked how she put closed captions in the documentary, which provided accessibility for the hearing impaired. 'They said they enjoyed that I practice what I preach,' Wadkins said. 'They were really inspired by my passion and drive to this topic.' By placing second at the state level, Wadkins advanced to the national competition. Wadkins said she and another student from Indiana will go to the University of Maryland in June to compete. Griffith Public Schools Superintendent Leah Dumezich applauded Wadkins' accomplishment. 'Natalie is an example of a student who achieves in the classroom and out of the classroom,' Dumezich said in an email. 'She has demonstrated integrity, self-discipline, and genuine leadership qualities. We are very proud of her and wish her the best of luck.' Julie Larson, an English and Language Arts teacher at Griffith High School, said she helped Wadkins with editing the documentary. Larson said Wadkins found a topic that's 'really unique to talk about.' 'You can tell that there's passion there for her topic,' Larson said. 'I'm just thrilled for her.' At the national competition, Wadkins and thousands of other students will present their projects in various categories over the course of preliminary and final rounds. Wadkins said she's excited to advance to the national level, and she hopes her documentary will have an even greater impact at that level of the competition. 'I'm really excited. I'm grateful,' Wadkins said. 'Even if I don't win, I just want to educate more people on the topic.' akukulka@
New York Post
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Neil Gorsuch scolds Supreme Court litigator in rare, heated exchange: ‘I'm not finished'
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch scolded an experienced lawyer during oral arguments Monday in a case centered on disability discrimination in public schools – a rare and heated exchange that surprised many longtime court-watchers. The tense exchange took place during oral arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, a case centered on whether school districts can be held liable for discriminating against students with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Gorsuch scolded Williams & Connolly lawyer Lisa Blatt, an experienced Supreme Court litigator representing the Minnesota public schools, for accusing the plaintiffs of 'lying' in their assertions before the high court. Plaintiffs in the case are representing the parents of a girl with severe epilepsy, who sued the public school for refusing to provide at-home school during the morning, an accommodation she would receive in other districts in the state. The exchange between Gorsuch and Blatt took place after she accused them of lying about the public school's stance. 4 Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch stands during a group photo of the Justices at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC on April 23, 2021. Getty Images Counsel 'should be more careful with their words,' Gorsuch told Blatt in a warning. 'OK well, they should be more careful in mischaracterizing a position by an experienced advocate of the Supreme Court, with all due respect,' Blatt responded. Later, he referenced the lying accusation again. 'Ms. Blatt,' Gorsuch told her, 'I confess I'm still troubled by your suggestion that your friends on the other side have lied.' 4 A general view of the Supreme Court building located at 1 First Street NE in Washington, DC on April 15, 2025. Christopher Sadowski 'OK,' she fired back. 'Let's pull it up. In oral arguments…' Gorsuch cut in, telling her, 'I think we're going to have to, here. And I'd ask you to reconsider that phrase.' 'You can accuse people of being incorrect, but lying–' Gorsuch said, before Blatt attempted to interject. 4 Judge Neil Gorsuch is sworn in as an associate justice of the Supreme Court in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 10, 2017. REUTERS 'Ms. Blatt, if I might finish,' Gorsuch said, before continuing: 'But lying is another matter.' He then started to read through page one of their brief, before she interrupted again. 'I'm not finished,' Gorsuch told her, raising his voice. 'Withdraw your accusation, Ms. Blatt,' he then told her of the lying accusation. 4 A general view of the Supreme Court building located at 1 First Street NE in Washington, DC on April 15, 2025. Christopher Sadowski 'Fine, I withdraw,' she shot back. Plaintiffs said on rebuttal only that they would not dignify the name-calling. The exchange sparked some buzz online, including from an experienced appeals court litigator, Raffi Melkonian, who noted of the exchange on social media, 'I've never heard Justice Gorsuch so angry.'
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gorsuch scolds Supreme Court litigator in rare, heated exchange
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch scolded an experienced lawyer during oral arguments Monday in a case centered on disability discrimination in public schools – a rare and heated exchange that surprised many longtime court-watchers. The tense exchange took place during oral arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, a case centered on whether school districts can be held liable for discriminating against students with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Gorsuch scolded Williams & Connolly lawyer Lisa Blatt, an experienced Supreme Court litigator representing the Minnesota public schools, for accusing the plaintiffs of "lying" in their assertions before the high court. Plaintiffs in the case are representing the parents of a girl with severe epilepsy, who sued the public school for refusing to provide at-home school during the morning, an accommodation she would receive in other districts in the state. 100 Days Of Injunctions, Trials And 'Teflon Don': Trump Second Term Meets Its Biggest Tests In Court The exchange between Gorsuch and Blatt took place after she accused them of lying about the public school's stance. Read On The Fox News App Counsel "should be more careful with their words," Gorsuch told Blatt in a warning. "OK well, they should be more careful in mischaracterizing a position by an experienced advocate of the Supreme Court, with all due respect," Blatt responded. Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court To Review El Salvador Deportation Flight Case Later, he referenced the lying accusation again. "Ms. Blatt," Gorsuch told her, "I confess I'm still troubled by your suggestion that your friends on the other side have lied." "OK," she fired back. "Let's pull it up. In oral arguments…" Gorsuch cut in, telling her, "I think we're going to have to, here. And I'd ask you to reconsider that phrase." "You can accuse people of being incorrect, but lying–" Gorsuch said, before Blatt attempted to interject. "Ms. Blatt, if I might finish," Gorsuch said, before continuing: "But lying is another matter." He then started to read through page one of their brief, before she interrupted again. "I'm not finished," Gorsuch told her, raising his voice. "Withdraw your accusation, Ms. Blatt," he then told her of the lying accusation. "Fine, I withdraw," she shot back. Plaintiffs said on rebuttal only that they would not dignify the name-calling. The exchange sparked some buzz online, including from an experienced appeals court litigator, Raffi Melkonian, who noted of the exchange on social media, "I've never heard Justice Gorsuch so angry."Original article source: Gorsuch scolds Supreme Court litigator in rare, heated exchange
Fox News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Gorsuch scolds Supreme Court litigator in rare, heated exchange
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch scolded an experienced lawyer during oral arguments Monday in a case centered on disability discrimination in public schools – a rare and heated exchange that surprised many longtime court-watchers. The tense exchange took place during oral arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, a case centered on whether school districts can be held liable for discriminating against students with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Gorsuch scolded Williams & Connolly lawyer Lisa Blatt, an experienced Supreme Court litigator representing the Minnesota public schools, for accusing the plaintiffs of "lying" in their assertions before the high court. Plaintiffs in the case are representing the parents of a girl with severe epilepsy, who sued the public school for refusing to provide at-home school during the morning, an accommodation she would receive in other districts in the state. The exchange between Gorsuch and Blatt took place after she accused them of lying about the public school's stance. Counsel "should be more careful with their words," Gorsuch told Blatt in a warning. "Okay well, they should be more careful in mischaracterizing a position by an experienced advocate of the Supreme Court, with all due respect," Blatt responded. Later, he referenced the lying accusation again. "Ms. Blatt," Gorsuch told her, "I confess I'm still troubled by your suggestion that your friends on the other side have lied." "Okay," she fired back. "Let's pull it up. In oral arguments…" Gorsuch cut in, telling her, "I think we're going to have to, here. And I'd ask you to reconsider that phrase." "You can accuse people of being incorrect, but lying—" Gorsuch said, before Blatt attempted to interject. "Ms. Blatt, if I might finish," Gorsuch said, before continuing: "But lying is another matter." He then started to read through page one of their brief, before she interrupted again. "I'm not finished," Grouch told her, raising his voice. "Withdraw your accusation, Ms. Blatt," he then told her of the lying accusation. "Fine, I withdraw," she shot back. Plaintiffs said on rebuttal only that they would not dignify the name-calling. The exchange sparked some buzz online, including from an experienced appeals court litigator, Raffi Melkonian, who noted of the exchange on social media, "I've never heard Justice Gorsuch so angry."
Fox News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Gorscuh scolds Supreme Court litigator in rare, heated exchange
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch scolded an experienced lawyer during oral arguments Monday in a case centered on disability discrimination in public schools – a rare and heated exchange that surprised many longtime court-watchers. The tense exchange took place during oral arguments in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, a case centered on whether school districts can be held liable for discriminating against students with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Gorsuch scolded Williams & Connolly lawyer Lisa Blatt, an experienced Supreme Court litigator representing the Minnesota public schools, for accusing the plaintiffs of "lying" in their assertions before the high court. Plaintiffs in the case are representing the parents of a girl with severe epilepsy, who sued the public school for refusing to provide at-home school during the morning, an accommodation she would receive in other districts in the state. The exchange between Gorsuch and Blatt took place after she accused them of lying about the public school's stance. Counsel "should be more careful with their words," Gorsuch told Blatt in a warning. "Okay well, they should be more careful in mischaracterizing a position by an experienced advocate of the Supreme Court, with all due respect," Blatt responded. Later, he referenced the lying accusation again. "Ms. Blatt," Gorsuch told her, "I confess I'm still troubled by your suggestion that your friends on the other side have lied." "Okay," she fired back. "Let's pull it up. In oral arguments…" Gorsuch cut in, telling her, "I think we're going to have to, here. And I'd ask you to reconsider that phrase." "You can accuse people of being incorrect, but lying—" Gorsuch said, before Blatt attempted to interject. "Ms. Blatt, if I might finish," Gorsuch said, before continuing: "But lying is another matter." He then started to read through page one of their brief, before she interrupted again. "I'm not finished," Grouch told her, raising his voice. "Withdraw your accusation, Ms. Blatt," he then told her of the lying accusation. "Fine, I withdraw," she shot back. Plaintiffs said on rebuttal only that they would not dignify the name-calling. The exchange sparked some buzz online, including from an experienced appeals court litigator, Raffi Melkonian, who noted of the exchange on social media, "I've never heard Justice Gorsuch so angry."
