Academic challenges are common among all students, but those with physical and mental disabilities may find gaining access to a high-quality education even more difficult if their school cannot or will not provide the tools and modifications they need to achieve equity. At colleges and universities across the country, one in five students is disabled, meaning you don't need to go it alone if your Maryland school has failed to provide reasonable accommodations for your disability. You have state and federal laws on your side, giving you full legal authority.
Even so, when taking on a Maryland school over disability rights and discrimination, it can be difficult to know where to start. That's why your first step should be contacting national education attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. These skilled and experienced legal experts know how to fight for your rights, having worked with hundreds of students and their families at every level of education and type of program across the country. Don't hesitate to get in touch with the Lento Law Firm – and read on for more helpful information.
Disability Accommodations in Maryland
At the Leno Law Firm, we are firm believers that students with disabilities should be able to pursue the same opportunities as their able-bodied peers. That's why we have in-depth knowledge of the state and federal laws and legal precedents that can help disabled students and their families get the justice they deserve. In Maryland, schools must adhere to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a piece of legislation that requires primary and secondary schools across the country to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled students. According to IDEA, Maryland schools must also allow students to follow individualized education plans when qualifications are met.
For students at colleges and universities, federal protections also exist. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires all institutions of higher education, including graduate and professional schools in Maryland, to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled students. Some examples of this can include services, equipment, facility adjustments, schedule modifications, and other resources that may help disabled students access equitable educational opportunities.
ADA Issues and Lawsuits in Maryland
Odds are you're familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as it has been tremendously valuable in helping disabled individuals achieve equal treatment in schools, places of employment, and other institutions serving the public since its inception more than 30 years ago. Title II of the ADA expressly prohibits discrimination based on disability, requiring schools in Maryland to provide reasonable accommodations for students. The law provides protections for physical disabilities as well as mental, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, psychiatric conditions, and more.
In a case involving the ADA in Maryland, the Frederick County Public School District was hit with a lawsuit over the use of restraint and seclusion against students with disabilities. The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland found these practices to be discriminatory and in violation of the ADA, as 100 percent of the secluded students had disabilities, as well as 99 percent of those who were restrained. If you or your student has faced any type of discrimination at school due to physical or mental disability, the Lento Law Firm can help you understand and fight for your rights.
Maryland State Disability Laws
State disability laws in Maryland are in line with federal legislation. The state of Maryland complies with the ADA and will therefore ensure qualified individuals are able to participate in all public services, programs, benefits, and employment opportunities. This includes prohibiting all schools and institutions of higher education from discriminating against students for physical or mental disabilities. If you or your student has received unequal or unfair treatment because of a disability, contact attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm today for compassionate help and guidance.
Disability as a Mitigating Factor in Maryland
Disabilities Affecting Academic Progression Issues in Maryland
For students with disabilities, being granted necessary accommodations can make all the difference in the world when it comes to achieving academic success and embarking on a fulfilling career. Students in Maryland are required to meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards, which include benchmarks such as completing a certain percentage of attempted credits, finishing their degree within a specified timeframe, or achieving a high enough grade point average. These incremental markers of progress may be extremely challenging for disabled students to achieve without accommodations – and failing to meet them can make students ineligible for financial aid or even be cause for dismissal from their program.
If your Maryland school has failed to provide you or your student with the reasonable accommodations you require to meet SAP standards, and you are now suffering unfair consequences, you have the law on your side. National education attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm will not tolerate discrimination due to disability at any level of education. Contact the Lento Law Firm today to find out how you can fight back against your Maryland school.
Disabilities Affecting Misconduct Discipline in Maryland
There is never a good time to be slapped with misconduct charges – but at your Maryland school, you deserve a fair hearing where you can tell your side of the story. This is, unfortunately, where physical, mental, or emotional disabilities can throw a wrench in things – disabilities are often not considered in misconduct hearings, meaning it can be more difficult for disabled students to stand up for themselves. This may be especially true in cases involving disabilities that impact communication, such as autism, Asperger's syndrome, or other emotional or social conditions. When students cannot adequately represent themselves, they are more likely to be misunderstood – and more likely to face harsh disciplinary consequences.
It is also true that in many misconduct cases involving students with disabilities, the student cannot be blamed for their behavior. If their school did not provide the necessary accommodations for their disability, it makes sense that they would be struggling – and if the school had offered the modifications the student needed, there's a good chance the misconduct case would never have happened. If your school did not provide you or your student with the adjustments necessary to succeed in an academic setting and you are now facing misconduct charges, contact the Lento Law Firm today to start working on your defense.
School Disability Attorney Advisor Available in Maryland
In Maryland, students at all levels of education have full disability rights thanks to state and federal legislation. If you or your student has suffered negligence or discrimination at your Maryland school and your educational opportunities have diminished as a result, now is the time to stand up and fight for your rights. Hundreds of students across the country have called upon national education attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law firm to help them in their cases involving discrimination, misconduct, academic consequences, and more. If you have received unfair treatment at a Maryland school due to your disability, call 888.535.3686 or visit the Lento Law Firm online today.
