Caring and compassionate education and civil rights attorneys and advocates helping students achieve their education and civil rights in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina.
The special education attorneys and special education advocates at The Law Offices of Keith L. Howard, PLLC represent clients in all special education, IEP, and 504 Plan matters in North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina.
In all states, students, regardless of their immigration status, have a constitutionally protected right to public education. Unfortunately, these rights are not always protected, especially amongst vulnerable populations. The Law Offices of Keith L. Howard, PLLC is dedicated to representing the interests of children in educational matters. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) offers students with disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 21, an education program tailored to their individual and unique needs. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, along with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibits the discrimination of students, and individuals, based on disability status.
If you are a parent of a child with a disability or if your child has been suspended or expelled from school, been bullied, receives English as Second Language services, been denied enrollment or transfer options, or denied access to general education, The Law Offices of Keith L Howard, PLLC can help. We have special education attorneys and special education advocates that can support you in disputes over special education, attending IEP meetings, 504 Plan meetings, and general school-based meetings. Contact us now at 1-800-341-3931 to determine if you have a case against your school system.
Our caring and compassionate education attorneys offer skilled representation in cases involving:
Special Education Due Process Hearings and Mediations:
If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) but has not progressed towards meeting his annual goals, is not receiving the services he was promised, or has an overall ineffective IEP, the school system may be violating his special education rights. We file due process petitions to hold the schools accountable for ensuring children receive a free, appropriate public education. If you believe your child’s special education rights have been violated, contact us today at 1-800-341-3931 to determine if you have a case against your school system.
IDEA, 504 and ADA Claims:
Every child receiving special education services is guaranteed a free and appropriate public education free from discrimination based on her disability. Each child with special needs is entitled to a personalized IEP or 504 Plan based on her unique needs detailing the supplementary supports, services, and aids she would need to receive her special education. If your child has an IEP or 504 Plan and is being discriminated against because of her disability, contact us today at 1-800-341-3931 to determine if you have a case against your school system for that discrimination.
Bullying at school:
North Carolina law requires every single school district to have a policy prohibiting bullying and harassment and outlining protocol for reporting and investigating the bullying. If your child has suffered bullying in the school system, and you reported the bullying but the child is not being protected from the bullying, contact us today at 1-800-341-3931 to determine if you have a case against your school system for their failure to protect your child from bullying.
Restraints, Seclusion, and Isolation:
North Carolina law allows restraints, seclusion and isolation of students. However, school systems are not permitted to abuse these forms of behavior management. If your child was secluded, restrained, or placed in isolation and suffered some form of serious harm, contact us today at 1-800-341-3931 to determine if you have a case against your school system.
Abuse and injuries to children:
Neglect and physical abuse of students with special needs or non-disabled children can happen at the hands of a teacher, principal, support staff or other students. If your child was physically abused or injured or verbally assaulted and suffered some form of serious harm, contact us today at 1-800-341-3931 to determine if you have a case against your school system.
Accommodations and unequal access claims:
If a disabled student cannot participate in any part of the school day due to inadequate access accommodations, Section 504 and the ADA provide equal access remedies. Contact us at 1-800-341-3931 to discuss your case if your child cannot access the school or school events due to inadequate access accommodations.
Out of School Suspensions/Expulsions:
IDEA provides protection for students that are suspended from school due to behaviors that are related to their disability. Additionally, nondisabled students are entitled to representation and notice for school suspensions. If your child has an IEP and has been suspended for more than ten days (i.e., told to go home, placed in in-school suspension, received a bus suspension, etc.), your child’s rights may have been violated. If your non-disabled child was suspended for more than 11 days and did not receive a hearing or right to a hearing, his rights may have been violated. If either situation has occurred, contact our experienced attorneys at 1-800-341-3931 to determine if you have a case against the school system.
Enrollment/Transfer:
Every child has the right to attend public school. Sometimes school systems deny enrollment to homeless children or children moving from a different state or county. This is illegal and should not occur. If you attempted to enroll your child in a public school or public charter school and was denied, contact us at 1-800-341-3931 to determine if you have a case against the school system that denied your child access to the school.
Resources For parents:
Schools are mandated to provide a free, appropriate services to parents of special needs students. We provide the necessary information and links you need to learn more.
Some education practices vary in North Carolina and can vary from school district to school district, but all schools must be in compliance with state and federal regulations when it comes to special education. If your school is in violation of those regulations – whether from lack of funding or lack of attention – The Law Offices of Keith L Howard, PLLC can help.
Call us today at 1-800-341-3931 or complete an initial consultation form.
