Only 14.1% of students are eligible for federally-supported special education services. The law states that all children with disabilities should have access to free and appropriate schooling. However, in many cases, they’re denied access to education. When enrollment in an educational institution is denied, parents have various options they can choose from, so it’s important not to be disheartened or feel defeated. Unfair decisions can be overturned given the right course of action. Here are three ways to respond when your child with a disability has been denied enrollment in school.
Seek a Meeting with Decision-Makers
Although legal action may be required, it’s best to start with a face-to-face meeting. It’s important that decision-makers are fully aware of the impact this is having on a child with a disability. They may have made a mistake or simply failed to note all the details of the application. School enrollment decision-makers are human and can occasionally fall short. Meeting with them in person gives them a chance to take another look at the application. From there, they may reconsider their decision. School enrollment across the country is falling, declining by about 3 million during the coronavirus outbreak. As a result, it may be easier to convince school enrollment officials to reverse their rejection.
Seek Legal Advice
There are plenty of specialist legal experts who can help out if other avenues fail. For instance, if your child has cerebral palsy, there are cerebral palsy law firms that deal specifically with this disability. Choosing a lawyer with a high degree of specialization increases the chances of a positive outcome. They understand the disability, including its unique challenges. They also know how local disability laws apply in this instance. It helps for the parent to understand the law as fully as possible but having a legal expert on hand is most important. They’ll be better placed to interpret the law and build the strongest case possible.
Start a Public Campaign
This can be done alongside a legal campaign or launched if the legal action failed to lead to a fair result. Disabilities affect 15% of the world’s population, with almost everyone knowing someone close to them who is affected. Because of this, you may gain sympathy from the general public. Once it becomes public knowledge that a child with a disability has been denied an education, pressure will quickly mount on school decision-makers and legal systems. This can lead to a faster and fairer resolution.
Being denied an education can have a devastating impact on a child. Living with a disability creates enough obstacles as it is, with differently-abled children often achieving a lower socio-economic status. There’s no better way to escape poverty and prejudice than by becoming educated and gaining qualifications. When a decision to deny enrollment is handed out, it’s not the end of the story. There are steps that can be taken to reverse the decision and make sure that your child is quickly enrolled in an appropriate education establishment. It starts with setting up a meeting with decision-makers, followed by seeking legal action, and starting a public campaign if necessary.
