Every student deserves and is entitled to a high-quality, public education. Students with disabilities often face barriers to accessing educational resources despite federal and state laws intended to protect their rights. Whether unable or unwilling, too many schools across Ohio and in Columbus fail to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
Too often, parents and students in Columbus and surrounding communities such as Bexley, Dublin, Powell, Worthington, and Upper Arlington do not receive the special education services they need. No teacher, school, or district has the right to subvert a child's access to educational support, services, and accommodations.
At the Lento Law Firm, we partner with parents to protect their students' education rights. We listen to you and respect your knowledge of your student and their needs. In conferences or court, the Education Law Team advocates for our clients and their access to special education services.
If your child is a primary or secondary student experiencing difficulties accessing special education resources, call the Lento Law Firm Team at 888-535-3686 or complete a confidential online form.
Columbus City, Dublin City, and Upper Arlington Schools, and Others Must Provide Special Education Services.
Federal and state laws require that Columbus-area schoolsprovide students with disabilities with appropriate educational services.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA requires that schools make reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to access their schools' programs, services, and facilities.
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
The IDEA requires that children with disabilities receive free, appropriate public education. Qualifying students are entitled to an individualized education plan, also called an IEP. Schools are required to implement the IEP to address your student's unique needs.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504
Although a student's disabilities may not qualify for protection under the IDEA, a school may still need to provide services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A “504 plan” may be a method of addressing a student's undiagnosed disability or conditions that fall outside the scope of the IDEA.
Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, Office for Exceptional Children
In Ohio, the Department of Education and Workforce and its Office for Exceptional Children oversee student access to special education services. State law protects the education of children with disabilities, including students living in the Columbus area.
Too Often, Student Access to Special Education Resources is Restricted by their Own Schools.
As a parent, you want your child to learn in a nurturing and supportive environment. You trust that their school and teachers are committed to your child's welfare and growth. It can be disappointing and frustrating to learn that your faith has been misplaced and that your child is not receiving needed support and accommodations.
Many schools and school districts provide inadequate support to students. The welfare and safety of students with disabilities are jeopardized by facilities that do not include ramps, elevators, railings, appropriate restrooms, or other reasonable adaptations for students with disabilities. Students and their education suffer when teachers and other staff disregard the reasonable needs of students with disabilities or fail to protect students with disabilities from bullying or other hostile actions by peers, teachers, or staff.
Students face additional challenges when a teacher, school, or school district fails to properly develop, implement, or comply with a student's IEP, imposes inappropriate academic, instructional, or behavioral objectives on a student, or sanctions students improperly and without considering IEP obligations.
It is unfair and illegal for your student to be excluded from an education because of their disability. Don't let a school withhold special education services and blame your child for their failure to learn, grow, and thrive. The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can help you protect your student and hold teachers, schools, and districts accountable.
The Lento Law Firm Can Partner With You.
If you are a parent in the Columbus area concerned that your child is not receiving the education they deserve, our experienced attorneys can partner with you. The Education Law Team can provide comprehensive guidance on your child's legal rights.
To understand your child's educational needs and develop a responsive legal strategy, our experienced attorneys may:
- Review your child's academic, behavioral, health, diagnosis, and assessment records and related recommendations. We need to understand your child and their unique needs to best advocate on their behalf.
- Identify and document any new, developing, or mitigating conditions or factors that should be disclosed to school administrators and teachers.
- Analyze the school's IEP protocols to ensure your child's program was properly created and implemented. The best IEP becomes meaningless if it is ignored.
- Determine if your student's rights are properly protected at school and during any disciplinary processes. Schools often fail to adequately support a student and then blame the child when academic, social, or behavioral problems arise.
You want what is best for your child. At the Lento Law Firm, we believe that their school and teachers should too. Our attorneys often negotiate with school districts and their general counsel and achieve sought-after results without adversarial litigation. Unfortunately, the threat of litigation is sometimes necessary to motivate schools and school districts. The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team is ready to fight around a conference table and inside a courthouse to defend your child's rights.
Your Child. Our Priority.
As a parent, you want your child to grow and thrive in a supportive environment. You built a life in the Columbus area, believing that an education would be the foundation for your future.
Now, to protect your child and their education, you need to hold your school district and school accountable. The Lento Law Firm is the single-minded advocate you want when addressing special education needs or the improper and illegal treatment of any child with a disability.
Let our national Education Law Team be your partner. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online to discuss your case.
