The Education Your Child Deserves

The law is clear that schools must provide every child with an education. Students with disabilities and other challenges are guaranteed an education through adaptations and support services.

Sometimes schools need to be prodded to deliver those services. Sometimes we have to take legal action to hold them accountable. At Bilello & Soowal, PLLC, our education law attorneys have a passion for helping students and families. We provide special education advocacy throughout Florida.

Helping Families Demand Special Ed Services

Many parents hit roadblocks when they ask the school system for help. Simply getting a child tested for learning disabilities can be an uphill battle. Our attorneys can be your guide and your voice in a frustrating legal process. Your child is entitled by law to assessment and the appropriate services they need to learn and thrive at school.

We advocate for parents of school-age children as well as adults in higher education. Every student who qualifies for special education because of a physical or cognitive disability is entitled to an individualized education program (IEP). That plan sets out goals for the student and specific services they require. The IEP must be reviewed annually to gauge whether the student is making progress and getting the right help. Special educations services can cover a wide spectrum of offerings, including:

• Assistive technology
• Classroom aides (paraprofessionals)
• Speech pathology and audiology
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Psychological counseling
• Life skills, health services and social work
• Transportation and mobility services

We assert clients’ rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and parallel protections under Florida state law. We can help your student get the right education plan, whether an IEP or Section 504 plan. We can also defend them against unwarranted disciplinary actions for behavior that is a manifestation of their disability. Our experienced trial lawyers will file lawsuits and take educational institutions to court if necessary.

Special Education Does Not Mean Separate Education

Many conflicts arise when students with learning challenges are segregated from their peers or overly controlled. The law mandates that schools deliver special education services in the “least restrictive environment.” We stand up for the rights of special ed students to have a mainstream or more inclusive experience while still getting the support they need. Finding that balance is a collaboration between parents, educators and administrators. We make school personnel come to the table to find workable solutions.