Advocating for African American families with children who learn differently.
Attorneys and Legal Action
Although the AACLD does not make recommendations or provide endorsements for services, the following information is provided as a source for parent review and determination of need for services:
The Legal Aid Society. Although not every office of The Legal Aid Society offers legal representation for special education, some do. As an example, The Children's Health and Education Law Program (H.E.L.P.) is a division of The Legal Aid Society of Columbus (Ohio), which focuses on the unique legal needs of children in low income families, with an emphasis on the educational, health care, and mental health care needs of children. Attorneys in Children's H.E.L.P. represent the child's needs throughout the special education process by providing legal representation, advising parents of their children's rights, and accompanying parents to meetings with school officials. Contact The Legal Aid Society in your area to see if a similar program exists.
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). COPAA is an independent, nonprofit, tax exempt organization of attorneys, advocates and parents established to improve the quality and quantity of legal assistance for parents of children with disabilities. COPAA frequently refers parents to attorneys and advocates in that person's geographical area. A database of COPAA members who can provide legal and advocacy services to parents is arranged by state and posted on the COPAA website at www.copaa.net. Contact COPAA by email at copaa@copaa.net.
Wrightslaw. Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys go to www.wrightslaw.com information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities. This web site includes hundreds of articles, cases and newsletters about special education law and advocacy. Pete Wright is an attorney who represents children with special needs. Pam Wright is a psychotherapist with training in psychology and clinical social work. She is the editor of The Special Ed Advocate, a free online newsletter about special education advocacy and legal issues.
Education Law Center. ELC's Student Rights Project provides free legal representation to school children who are denied access to an appropriate public education. The cases accepted involve special education for children with disabilities, school discipline, school district admissions/residency, alternative education, and other violations of individual student rights. The agency targets cases involving low-income students in high poverty school districts and selects cases that raise systemic problems. Visit the ELC website at www.edlawcenter.org for more information.
The AACLD also maintains a database of special education attorneys that have either been recommended by parents or that have specifically requested a listing. Please send an email to info@aacld.org for more information.
