Meaningful Education Advocacy Lays Foundation for a Successful Future

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantee students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education. Despite this right, students and their supporters often must fight to access vital disability-related services, care, and opportunities in school. In our client Jax’s case, we fought to address his lack of transition services and inclusion in the school’s job training program. Jax is a high school student with a variety of disabilities, including Autism, a Language Impairment, and an Intellectual Disability. At 18, Jax postponed acceptance of his high school diploma so that he could keep using the employability training services from his school. His parent reached out to us because his school was threatening to end his services, claiming that it had nothing more to teach him. Our team investigated and found that Jax had behavioral needs, which were a barrier to him transitioning to and maintaining a job. Refusing to work on his behavioral deficits, the school was denying Jax’s right to a free and appropriate public education. In advocating for Jax, our staff helped implement a meaningful IEP with full-day job and transition classes. We also made sure that Jax would get the proper behavioral assessments so that his IEP and school team could appropriately address his behavioral needs. With this new plan in place, Jax rightfully has access to the services he needs, and we wish Jax all the best as he navigates and reaches his employment goals.