IDEA - INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT

This is the Federal law that guarantees your child with special needs a good public education.  You have a right to ask the district to determine if your child qualifies by performing evaluations at public expense, to provide additional services and provide a customized education plan for your child, known as an IEP (individualized education program) and potentially even to an out of district placement, if that is appropriate.  If the school district fails you at any of these steps, you also may have a right to unilaterally place your child at an appropriate school and seek reimbursement. 

We help you through this process, which involves filing a special form of lawsuit called a "due process complaint" with the New Jersey Department of Education, which is adjudicated initially in a special administrative court known as the Office of Administrative Law.  If you are unhappy with the outcome at that point, you can appeal to the New Jersey Superior Court or the Federal District Court. 

We will be with you the whole way.