Many parents in Brooklyn have children with special needs. Children who have disabilities are protected under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law covers children with physical, emotional, and mental disabilities in education. It governs how states provide intervention for these children, along with special education and related services. IDEA helps children with special needs from birth to age 26. Parents who have children who have been identified as having a disability may wan to know what their rights are.
Parents have several rights under the IDEA. Students with disabilities are guaranteed a free and appropriate public education that is individualized for each specific child. The education is designed to meet the student’s needs, provides access to the general curriculum and meets grade level standards. Parents, as partners in their child’s education, have the following rights under IDEA:
- To be informed of Procedural Safeguards in writing
- To review all educational records
- To be part of all aspects of their child’s education plan
- To request mediation or a due process hearing
- To have their complaints heard by a state agency
- To be equal members of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- To suggest an alternative IEP
Education law can be complicated. If a parent believes that their child is not receiving the best possible education under IDEA, they may want to contact an attorney who specializes in education law. An attorney has the experience to understand the legal rights a special needs child has under the law and can make sure they are receiving all the serves they are entitled to.