Clinical Programs
Special Education Advocacy Clinic
Assisting Children, Families and Professionals
Families often face overwhelming challenges in obtaining educational services for their children. Often, parents do not understand how to interpret standardized educational assessments, how to access services, or how to best advocate for appropriate educational plans. Similarly, professionals who work with children with disabilities may not have sufficient training in special educational law and may not realize how they can impact a child’s ability to obtain critical educational services and accommodations.
The Special Education Advocacy Legal Clinic assists children with disabilities by:
- Providing direct legal representation and effective advocacy at Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, mediation sessions, special education administrative proceedings and due process litigation;
- Ensuring that children obtain timely educational evaluations;
- Securing appropriate special education services and supports; and
- Empowering parents by offering resources, training and support.
In protecting children's legal rights, DePaul is committed to becoming a resource for professionals and parents who may not be familiar with special education law. The clinic gives families a voice in determining their child’s educational placement, curriculum, and individualized accommodations and services.
