Location:10515 W. Markham Street Suite H-9, Little Rock, AR 72205 -
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Description:Every child deserves the same chance to have a quality education. However, some children with disabilities and special needs are denied this opportunity. Sometimes, this denial occurs because the parents are not fully aware of the services their children are lawfully entitled to receive. Sometimes,... moreEvery child deserves the same chance to have a quality education. However, some children with disabilities and special needs are denied this opportunity. Sometimes, this denial occurs because the parents are not fully aware of the services their children are lawfully entitled to receive. Sometimes, the denial occurs because the school district is unwilling or unable to provide the required services.
Both Arkansas and federal laws require school districts to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for special needs children. Parents in Arkansas who believe their special needs child is being denied access to a free appropriate public education can file a complaint with the Arkansas Department of Education/Special Education Division. Additionally, a federal law, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), entitles all special needs children between the ages of 3 and 21 the right to have a free appropriate public education. Another federal law, known as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, protects the rights of children with qualifying disabilities.
Filing a lawsuit should be a last resort. When litigation enters the picture, everyone loses. The parents lose because they spend a lot of time and money waiting on a slow legal process. The child loses because every day he or she is not receiving a free appropriate public education, the child is falling further and further behind academically. The school loses because time and resources for teaching are instead allocated to courtroom battles.
An attorney can help parents understand their children's rights and can also be instrumental in restarting the interactive process between frustrated parents and school districts. It is important to find an attorney who is dedicated to representing families and who also has the knowledge and experience to handle special education cases. less
