Supreme Court Game-Changer: 7 Ways the New AJT v. Osseo Ruling Makes It Easier to Sue Schools for Disability Discrimination

The Supreme Court just handed parents of children with disabilities a major victory. On June 12, 2025, in a unanimous decision that will reshape how disability discrimination cases are handled in schools across America, the Court ruled in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools that students with disabilities deserve the same legal protections as everyone else.

For too long, courts have made it nearly impossible for families to hold schools accountable for disability discrimination. That ends now. This landmark ruling doesn't just level the playing field: it fundamentally changes the game in your favor.

Here's exactly how this decision makes it easier for you to protect your child's rights and get the justice they deserve.

1. No More "Bad Faith" Requirement

The biggest barrier families faced was proving schools acted in "bad faith" or with "gross misjudgment." Think about how ridiculous that was: even when schools clearly violated your child's rights, you had to prove they did it on purpose or were grossly incompetent.

The Supreme Court just threw that impossible standard out the window. The Court explicitly rejected this heightened requirement, recognizing that it created an "almost insurmountable legal barrier" for students with disabilities. You no longer need to prove malicious intent: just that discrimination occurred.

2. Same Standards as Everyone Else

The Court made it crystal clear: disability discrimination claims in schools must use the same "deliberate indifference" standard that applies everywhere else. No more special, harder-to-meet requirements just because you're fighting a school district.

This means if your child faces discrimination, you get the same legal protections as someone facing discrimination at work, in housing, or anywhere else. The playing field is finally level.

3. Real Money Damages Are Now Possible

Under the old system, even when families won their cases, getting actual monetary compensation was nearly impossible. Schools could discriminate against your child, force you to hire private tutors or change schools, and walk away without paying a dime.

That's over. The new standard opens the door for meaningful financial relief. You can now seek compensation for:

• Private educational services you had to purchase
• Therapy costs due to discrimination
• Legal fees and expenses
• Pain and suffering your child experienced
• Lost educational opportunities

4. Nationwide Protection

Before this ruling, your rights depended on where you lived. Some federal courts were tougher on schools, others let them off easy. A family in Texas might have better legal protections than one in California: or vice versa.

The Supreme Court's unanimous decision creates uniform standards across all 50 states. Whether you live in Alabama, Florida, or anywhere else, your child now has the same strong protections under federal law.

5. Accommodations Failures Now Count as Discrimination

Here's a big one: schools can no longer brush off their failure to provide reasonable accommodations as "just an oversight." Under the previous standard, even when schools clearly failed to implement your child's IEP or 504 plan, you still had to prove they did it intentionally.

Now, when schools refuse or fail to provide appropriate accommodations, that's discrimination: period. No need to prove bad faith. No need to show they meant harm. If they didn't provide what your child needed, you have a case.

6. Your Burden of Proof Just Got Lighter

The Court recognized something that should have been obvious all along: students with disabilities and their families "already face daunting challenges on a daily basis" and shouldn't have to "satisfy a more stringent standard of proof than other plaintiffs to establish discrimination."

This means:

• Less evidence needed to establish your case
• Fewer depositions and expert witnesses required
• Lower legal costs overall
• Faster resolution of disputes
• Schools can't hide behind procedural barriers

7. Stronger Enforcement of Federal Disability Laws

This decision strengthens three major federal laws that protect your child: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

By ensuring the ADA and Section 504 protections are meaningfully accessible in schools, the Court gave families "practical, usable tools" to protect their children's right to learn and receive appropriate educational services.

What This Means for You Right Now

If your child has faced discrimination, this ruling changes everything. Cases that would have been dismissed under the old standard now have real merit. Schools that thought they were untouchable are suddenly accountable.

But here's what you need to know: the clock is ticking. Discrimination cases have statutes of limitations, and the sooner you act, the stronger your position becomes.

Document everything. Save emails, take notes of meetings, keep copies of all IEP and 504 plan materials. Every interaction with your school matters now.

Know your rights. Your child is entitled to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. When schools fail to provide that, they can now be held accountable in ways they never were before.

Don't go it alone. The legal landscape just shifted dramatically. What seemed like an impossible fight yesterday might be a winnable case today, but you need experienced advocates who understand these new standards.

The Road Ahead

This Supreme Court decision doesn't just change individual cases: it sends a clear message to schools across the country that discrimination against students with disabilities will no longer be tolerated. Schools that have been cutting corners, denying services, or pushing out students with disabilities now know they can face real consequences.

For families who have been fighting uphill battles for years, this ruling represents hope. It validates what you've known all along: your child deserves equal treatment, appropriate services, and the chance to succeed in school.

The A.J.T. v. Osseo decision levels the playing field in ways we haven't seen in decades. But having better laws only matters if you know how to use them. The schools certainly know what this ruling means for them: make sure you understand what it means for your family.

Your child's rights just got a lot stronger. The question is: what are you going to do about it?

If your child has faced discrimination at school, don't wait. The new legal landscape created by this Supreme Court decision opens doors that have been closed for too long. At Williams & Moore, LLP, we understand these new standards and how to use them to protect your child's rights. Contact us today to discuss your situation and explore your options under this game-changing ruling.