Special Education
Mobilization for Justice provides advice and representation to predominantly low-income parents of students with disabilities seeking appropriate special education services and school placements from the New York City Department of Education. We represent parents at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, administrative due process hearings, and in appeals before the New York State Review Officer and in federal court.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and implementing New York State law guarantee each student with a disability the right to an appropriate education designed to meet his or her unique needs. Every student with a disability should receive an IEP designed to facilitate the achievement of challenging, ambitious objectives appropriate in light of the student’s individual circumstances, as well as services provided in conformity with that IEP. The provision of appropriate special education services is tied to crucial life outcomes, including whether a student with a disability will learn to read, will receive the emotional support needed to make academic progress possible, will acquire living skills needed to integrate into the community, or will earn a high school diploma and obtain post-secondary employment.
We provide direct representation to parents when the New York City Department of Education fails to prepare an appropriate IEP for a student or fails to implement the services required by the IEP. We advocate for systemic change as a member of the Education Law Task Force, a coalition of advocacy organizations in New York City, and through participation in impact litigation. In addition to providing direct representation and participating in systemic reform efforts, we provide trainings on special education law to parent and professional organizations upon request.
To request direct representation, please call 212-417-3786 and leave a voicemail. An attorney will get back to you within 48 hours.