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Services

A2Z Educational Advocates is a group of attorneys and advocates working to represent parents of special needs kids at every level of the process.

We assist parents with IEPs, compliance complaints, navigating the maze of the school districts, Due Process hearings, and beyond. We come at this with a unique approach, working on every case as a team, with the parents a vital and active part of that team.

Our goal is not only to provide parents with representation, but also to empower the parents,
and ultimately the child, to become better advocates themselves.

A2Z Educational Advocates seeks to help parents obtain a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for their children. Your child may be protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act (§504), the Tech Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Using a multidisciplinary team approach, A2Z can help facilitate your child receiving special education services from your local district through:

• Initial referrals
• Letters to School Districts
• Referrals for evaluation and services
• Advocacy at IEP meetings
• Advocacy with Regional Centers
• Reimbursement requests
• Advocacy at Expulsion Hearings and Manifestation Determinations
Record requests
Compliance Complaints when the district fails to provide services
• OCR Complaints when the district violates your child’s civil rights
• Parent Training Programs
Diagnostic referrals
• Requesting and advocating at Mediations
• Requesting and providing legal representation at Due Process Hearings (Office of Administrative Hearings)
• Filing and providing legal representation for Appeals

Getting Started

MY CHILD IS "DIFFERENT": WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP?

• Rely on your intuition
• Compare notes at the park
• Speak to your pediatrician & get a thorough exam
• Call your local university medical center & get a 2nd opinion
• Go to your local regional center for screening & an eligibility determination
• Get an opinion & referral from your day care provider or preschool director
• Contact your local school district & ask about their Infant/Toddler & Preschool Special Education programs & assessments
• Ask the teacher to screen for disabilities that might adversely affect your child's ability to learn in a general education program

GETTING YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD PREPARED FOR SCHOOL

• Determine if your child is eligible for regional center services
• Your 3- to 5-year-old may be eligible for school district services
• Consider getting your child a complete medical workup by a developmental pediatrician
• Request an IEP in writing, as soon as school starts
• Request a complete set of assessments by the school psychologist, in writing, as soon as school starts
• Gather all school and medical records
• Gather all state standardized test results, e.g., Stanford 9
• Get organized
• Buy a 3-ring binder with tabs, for each service requested
• Always keep a log of all calls
• Get everything in writing

The following links are to our resources section for more information:

INITIAL REQUEST FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES TIMELINE

UNIFORM COMPLIANCE COMPLAINTS

DUE PROCESS HEARING REQUEST

RESPITE

PARAPROFESSIONALS/1:1's

 

WHAT ARE MY CHILD'S LEGAL RIGHTS?

• Is your child 0 to 21?
• Does your child have a disability that adversely affects his/her ability to learn in a general education program?
• Determine if your child is eligible for special education through a nondiscriminatory evaluation by your local school district
• Your child is legally entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), developed through an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• You have the right to sue your local school district in court (due process)

LET US ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. Call 888 IDEA-ADA (888-4332-232), or email us at inquiry@a2zedad.com for more information.

 

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inquiry@a2zedad.com

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