SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW

The Chicago lawyers of Addis, Greenberg & Schultz have developed a well-respected reputation representing children with physical disabilities, educational disabilities, and/or developmental disabilities. We strive to ensure that school districts provide these unique students with the specialized needs to which they are legally entitled.

Children with suspected educational disabilities are entitled to no-cost assessments by their school districts to determine eligibility for services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA), or through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Action of 1973.

The IDEA requires public schools to locate and identify children with disabilities who may need specialized education. These children must “have available to them a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs,” 20 U.S. Sec 140(d). Children with disabilities must “to the maximum extent appropriate [be] educated with children who are not disabled,” 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(5).

Addis, Greenberg & Schultz is experienced in complying with the procedural requirements related to school disciplinary actions, complaints, disputes and eligibility for services through Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs). We provide legal assistance to parents whose children have school related disciplinary issues, or who struggle academically. School districts must provide these students with specialized education services such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, language therapy, resource specialists and modified regular educational programs.

Often the law only affords a short time to determine whether legal assistance is necessary, and if so, to retain competent representation. In these situations, clients turn to Addis, Greenberg & Schultz.