Student Civil Rights & Discrimination Lawyers | ADA | The IEP Lawyers

We sue schools for violating students' civil rights. Our attorneys handle ADA and Section 504 claims for discrimination, illegal segregation, unlawful harassment, retaliation, and failure to accommodate.

Fighting for Justice: Holding Schools Accountable for Civil Rights Violations

When a school district fails a child with a disability, it is not just a violation of education law—it is a violation of their fundamental civil rights. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides a framework for services, but federal civil rights laws, like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, provide a powerful sword to fight back against discrimination.

We are not just education advocates; we are civil rights litigators dedicated to fighting systemic discrimination and securing justice for children who have been harmed by the system.

Beyond IDEA: Your Rights Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

While IDEA is focused on ensuring a student receives a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), the ADA is a broader civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all public services, including schools. This distinction is critically important for two reasons:

Broader Protections: The ADA protects against segregation, exclusion, and retaliation, providing a powerful tool to challenge systemic failures.

Monetary Damages: Unlike IDEA, the ADA allows for the recovery of monetary damages to compensate a child for the educational, emotional, and social harm caused by a school's discriminatory actions.

A 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools, affirmed that families can pursue these damages claims under the ADA without first having to go through the lengthy administrative hearing process required by IDEA. This opens a direct path to the courthouse to seek justice for your child.