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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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