Special Education
Children with disabilities have a guaranteed right to receive an education that meets their unique needs.
Parents of children with disabilities need help navigating the legal complexities of the special education system. We work to ensure that children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. All children with disabilities must be in an educational setting that allows them to make meaningful progress based on their particular circumstances.
$1.78M
in ongoing yearly education benefits secured last year
Services
Our lawyers collaborate with parents to ensure students receive the educational services to which they are entitled through consultation and representation at impartial hearings, appeals, and court actions. We address the following issues:
- Assessing the adequacy of a child’s Individual Education Program (IEP), appropriateness of school placement, and need for paraprofessionals, tutoring, or related services, including occupation therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language therapy
- Obtaining assistive technology
- Enabling children who would otherwise regress to be in a 12-month program (as opposed to the usual 10-month school year)
- Obtaining placement in private schools, when necessary
- Obtaining independent educational evaluations, thereby allowing parents to have their child evaluated by a professional who is not affiliated with the Department of Education
Need free legal services or financial counseling?
Help us provide free legal help to children and their parents.
The Latest on Special Education
Gothamist: NYC Receives $38 Million Funding Boost for Lawyers Litigating Special Education Lawsuits
NYLAG’s Danielle Tarantolo spoke to Gothamist about the New York City Department of Education’s efforts to get additional funding for staff to handle cases brought by families of students with disabilities. NYLAG’s class action lawsuit against the City over delays in adjudicating such cases has brought attention to DOE’s inadequate resources.
New Free NY COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline Helps NYC Residents
NYLAG launches a legal resources hotline to help New York City residents impacted by COVID-19 (coronavirus) receive answers to their legal questions.
NYC Special-Ed ‘Crisis’ Draws Attention of State Education Officials
NYLAG’s Elizabeth Curran speaks with Politico on the special education system crisis and how it’s devastating millions of families.
