URGENT: IDEA Amendment re: parental rights & advocates

[Guest guest]

On Monday, October 20th, negotiations on two key issues which will

ensure parental rights in due process and access to representation

are unfolding in the Senate HELP Committee. The Committee is

considering language that will guarantee a parent's right to

represent their own child throughout due process, from the initial

hearing thru all appeals, a right which has been compromised by

recent court decisions. Also under consideration is a parent's right

to be represented by an attorney OR someone with special knowledge in

the needs of children with disabilities. These changes would ensure

parent's choice and access. As you know, availability and access to

legal representation for parents seeking due process is extremely

limited throughout the nation. In a field where lawyers who

represent parents are few and far between, an amendment to ensure

expanded choice in representation is essential for parents.

These amendments would give real meaning to " procedural safeguards "

and provide " equal protection under the law " as required by the

Fourteenth Amendment. Equitable access to the Courts for parents who

need their intervention to secure FAPE for their disabled children is

essential. While due process is an option of last resort----it needs

to be an option.

Please call the HELP committee today and ask them to support language

that allows parents to choose if necessary,

1) to represent their own child in due process or

2) someone with special knowledge in the needs of disabled

children to represent them

IT IS CRITICAL that members of the HELP Committee hear from their

constituents today. Key members to contact are:

Senator Judd Gregg (NH) – Committee Majority Leader –

Senator Bill Frist (TN) –

Senator Pat (KS) –

Senator Kennedy – (MA) – Committee Minority Leader – 202-224-

4543

These and other committee members may also be contacted directly

through the HELP committee office at .

Thank you for raising your voice on behalf of parents and their

disabled children!

Please share with parents in NH, TN, KS and MA.

Maura gru

Parent Information Center of NJ Inc.

P.O. Box 805, Palmyra, NJ 08065

/888-PIC-IDEA