Type 1 Action
The Type 1 Action Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization primarily focused on protecting the rights of those living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Type 1 Action does this through multiple avenues. First, by assisting people with T1D obtain legal representation in various legal matters related to their diabetes, including: 504 plan and IEP negotiations and administrative hearings in school; discrimination matters in United States District Court under both the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA; negligence matters; criminal matters and matters related to insurance coverage. Type 1 Action also educates the T1D community about both their legal rights and managing the disease, as well as the general public about T1D and the rights of those living with the disease. Type 1 Action has also prepared educational materials on diabetes and the law, templates for people to download such as 504 plans for accommodations in school, diabetes medical management plans for parents to use in school and employer packets for employees with T1D to request necessary and reasonable accommodations in the workplace. Recently, Type 1 Action is also collaborating with the AFYA Foundation to obtain donations of excess diabetes supplies and direct those supplies to people with T1D in areas that are struck by natural disasters or to those in countries who are unable to obtain them. www.type1action.org
Daniel Phelan is a former professional baseball player turned attorney who founded the Type 1 Action Foundation in 2016 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of the organization. Daniel was the first attorney in the United States to successfully focus a law practice on diabetes law, through the Type 1 Action Foundation, successfully changing the landscape for how people with Type 1 Diabetes are accommodated in schools and in the workplace through disability discrimination matters under the Americans with Disabilities Act in United States District Court, and through special education hearings in schools.
Daniel has had Type 1 Diabetes since the age of 13, and he now speaks nationally at conferences and galas regarding two main themes: (a) empowerment of people with T1D using his platform as former professional baseball player with T1D; and (b) the legal rights of people with T1D in the workplace and in school. Daniel also sits on the Board of Directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s NYC/Long Island Chapter, and is the former President of their Youth Leadership Committee as well. Daniel can be reached at his email address, dphelan@type1action.org / www.phelan-law.com/dphelan.