Many students struggle with academics – but students with disabilities may face more challenges and barriers than others, which can be compounded if their school is unable or unwilling to provide reasonable accommodations to help them succeed. In Wisconsin, students and parents of students with disabilities need to remember first and foremost that they are not alone, and the law is on their side. In fact, national data shows that one in five students at colleges and universities is disabled. If your Wisconsin school has failed to acknowledge and provide reasonable accommodations for your disability, they may be in violation of state and federal laws.
In times like these, you need someone on your side who knows disability laws, rules, and regulations inside and out – as well as how to navigate legal and educational systems and fight for your rights. National attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help you in your plight to gain the accommodations you need and deserve at your Wisconsin school. Our skilled and knowledgeable team works with students and their families at any level of education or any type of program. Contact the Lento Law Firm today and read on for more information that may help you on this journey.
Disability Accommodations in Wisconsin
When pursuing an education at any level, students with disabilities deserve access to the same opportunities as anyone else. At the Lento Law Firm, we wholeheartedly believe and will fight for educational equity for disabled students and their families – and we have the law on our side. Schools in Wisconsin are required to recognize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires primary and secondary schools in all states to allow students with disabilities to have reasonable accommodations. IDEA also says schools in Wisconsin and other states must implement individualized education plans for qualified students.
Federal law also provides protections to students at colleges and universities. According to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all institutions of higher education, including graduate and professional schools in Wisconsin, must reasonably accommodate the needs of disabled students. This may include various services, types of equipment, adjustments to the facility, modifications to the student's schedule, and other resources that can help disabled students achieve academic success.
ADA Issues and Lawsuits in Wisconsin
Most people have heard of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and for good reason – Title II of this landmark federal legislation benefits disabled students by prohibiting discrimination based on disability. As a result of the ADA, schools in Wisconsin are obligated to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled students so they may have the same opportunities as able-bodied students. The law covers physical disabilities as well as mental disabilities and learning disorders, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, psychiatric conditions, and more.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the parents of a child with ADHD once brought a lawsuit against Milwaukee Montessori School, claiming the institution violated the ADA by discriminating against their eight-year-old son. The school initially suggested the child needed further evaluation before kicking him out of the institution entirely. Because students with ADHD are protected under the ADA, the parents have a valid case – and if you or your student has faced similar types of discrimination due to physical or mental disability, the Lento Law Firm can help you explore your options and understand your rights under the ADA.
Wisconsin State Disability Laws
In Wisconsin, state disability laws follow federal legislation. All schools in Wisconsin are required to provide a free appropriate public education to students with disabilities, which may include an individualized education program. State law also prohibits an institution of higher education that receives public funding – including universities, technical colleges, vocational schools, and schools offering other types of training or continuing education – from discriminating against students because of physical or mental disability. If you're concerned that you or your student has been treated unfairly, Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law firm can help you navigate your dispute with your Wisconsin school.
Disability as a Mitigating Factor in Wisconsin
Disabilities Affecting Academic Progression Issues in Wisconsin
When students with disabilities are not allowed reasonable accommodations at school, the consequences can have a significant impact on their academic progress and future career. As in other states, students in Wisconsin may be required to meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards, which include markers such as achieving a certain grade point average or finishing a degree within a specified amount of time. Failing to meet these requirements could cause students to miss out on financial aid or continue in their program.
Students with disabilities should have access to reasonable accommodations to help them meet SAP standards, but it is possible your Wisconsin school has failed to provide the modifications you need to achieve success. In these cases, students may face suspension, probation, or even expulsion – and if this has happened to you or your student, it's time to fight back. Contact national education attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm to find out how you can move forward with your case against your Wisconsin school.
Disabilities Affecting Misconduct Discipline in Wisconsin
Being hit with misconduct charges is always distressing – but in Wisconsin schools, students accused of misconduct are entitled to a fair hearing. However, students with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities may find it more difficult to represent themselves in misconduct investigations, making them more likely to face harsh consequences. In many cases, disabilities such as autism, Asperger's syndrome, or other emotional and social impairments can make it even more likely for students in misconduct hearings to be misrepresented and misunderstood.
It's important to remember, too, that disability-related misconduct charges are rarely a student's fault. If the school had provided necessary accommodations for physical or mental disabilities, it is completely possible that the misbehavior would never have occurred – and neither would the misconduct charges that followed. If your school has failed to provide you with the tools you need to succeed and is now accusing you of misconduct, the Lento Law Firm is here to help you understand the charges against you and prepare your defense.
School Disability Attorney Advisor Available in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, federal and state laws give students at all levels of education full disability rights. Don't let the negligent actions of your Wisconsin school deny you the opportunities you want and deserve. National education attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento has helped hundreds of students in situations just like yours in their fights against discrimination, misconduct, academic consequences, and more. Call 888.535.3686 or visit the Lento Law Firm online today.
