Empowering students with disabilities begins with prioritizing an inclusive school environment that recognizes and appreciates others’ differences. When school culture takes a back seat to test scores, finances, and bureaucracy, all students lose opportunities for learning and growth.
Jennifer Chang is an award-winning Education Rights Attorney who works with families to help protect the rights of their children with disabilities in California public schools. Through her zealous representation, students’ educational needs are met, and families are awarded the advocacy tools required to promote their children’s legal rights and education.
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of disability awareness in schools, how school communities can support awareness of learning differences and student needs, and the importance of self-advocacy as a parent or guardian to a student with disabilities.
Benefits of Disability Awareness in Schools
Disability awareness is critical to fostering a school culture that demonstrates empathy, understanding, and belonging. By addressing the unique and challenging needs of students with disabilities, students, parents, and teachers alike can begin to build supportive relationships that minimize stigmatization.
There are several ways school communities can support disability awareness and ensure that students who represent the most marginalized academic groups or present non-visible disabilities are seen, respected, and receive the support they are entitled to under state and federal laws.
Self-Advocacy
While school communities comprise a team of educators, parents, resource departments, and leadership who hold the responsibility to educate students as individuals, it often falls on parents to ensure the needs of their children are met.
Parents of students with disabilities who can advocate for their child in an Independent Education Plan (IEP) meeting, 504 Plan meeting, or other administrative meetings can support their child’s needs and help school administrators and teachers understand specific situations. Schools are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide equal access to all students. Parents who understand applicable laws, district regulations, and processes or seek help from an experienced education rights attorney will be best equipped to navigate unique and challenging circumstances.
Student self-advocacy also gives children with disabilities the confidence and ability to express needs or request tools to support their education daily.
Invite Open Conversation
Accessibility accommodations are not always visible to students, but when they are, it is natural for other students to be curious about technology, tools, and other resources that aid learning for children with disabilities. Schools that enable open conversations between classmates and teachers can create an environment that normalizes the need for education tools and promotes positive social interaction and inclusivity.
Parent Communication
Consistent communication between schools, teachers, and parents is essential to provide students with disabilities access to the resources they require to be successful in education. Teachers and Special Education administrators are required by law to maintain communication with parents and guardians of students with disabilities, provide necessary updates and feedback based on precise records and goal tracking, and attend annual IEP meetings.
When to Contact an Education Rights Attorney
California special education laws protect students’ rights to a safe and positive education, including maintaining inclusive learning environments. When school districts do not uphold these rights, working with an education rights attorney can help you navigate the challenging legalities surrounding student advocacy.
Families turn to Jennifer Chang to fight for and protect the rights of their children with disabilities in California public schools. Through her representation, students’ educational needs are met, and families are provided the advocacy tools required to promote their children’s legal rights and education.
Contact the Law Offices of Jennifer Chang today to learn how she can help protect the educational rights of your child with disabilities.