Disability
Rights
at School
Welcome to my blog.
My name is Wendy Pizer. I’m a special education attorney serving families in Arlington, Northern Virginia, and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. I’m also an advocate for students with disabilities in my community, and a parent. Special education can be confusing and overwhelming. Schools have information that parents don’t have. So I created this free resource for parents to try to level the playing field a little.
Please know that this page provides information and resources, not legal advice, and utilizing this page does not create an attorney client relationship. The information may not be up to date or applicable to specific student situations. If you need assistance for a specific situation, please reach out to your school division’s parent resource center, your state’s parent training and information center, or a special education attorney or advocate in your area.
Recent Posts
Long COVID at School
As more and more children contract COVID-19, more will also develop long COVID. Students with long COVID may qualify for an IEP, a 504 plan, or a health plan.
Accommodations for Anxiety at School
Students’ social-emotional needs were very high during the last school year. As students head back to school, many may need accommodations.
Back to School with an IEP or 504 Plan – Tips for Parents
For parents of kids with an IEP or 504 plan, heading back to school is quite a bit more involved than digging out the backpack and buying school supplies. Could you use some tips?
New Virginia Law for Seizure Management in Schools
On July 1, 2022, a new law became effective in Virginia regarding seizure management and seizure action plans in schools. The new law provides important new protections for students with seizure disorders.
Training for School Staff
Under the IDEA and state and federal regulations, training for school staff can be written into IEPs.
Newly Updated CDC School COVID-19 Guidance
The CDC recently updated its Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning. There are no big surprises as the updated school guidance largely mirrors the latest community guidance. As COVID-19 mitigation becomes less stringent in...
Emergency School Planning for Students with Disabilities
School shootings are an all-too-real concern for parents across America but parents of students with disabilities have even more reason to worry. While schools have general emergency plans in place, plans may not be crafted with consideration of the varying needs of students with disabilities. ...
Statement & Policy Recommendations on Distance Learning
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) released a statement and policy recommendations on distance learning for students with disabilities. This document may be useful to parents who are seeking disability-related supports for their children in virtual programs, in order to ensure...
10 IEP Tips for Parents
It’s IEP season! Here are 10 tips to help parents prepare for and participate in IEP meetings.
Parents Fact Sheet on Seaman v. Virginia — Federal Court Issues Preliminary Injunction against Virginia in School Mask Mandate Case
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV), whose lawyers represent the plaintiffs (children with disabilities who are at high-risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19) in Seaman v. Commonwealth of Virginia, released this fact sheet for parents. The fact sheet explains the court's ruling that...
New Federal Guidance on Schools’ Obligations to Ensure Students with High-Risk Medical Conditions Can Attend School Safely
In a recent letter to educators and parents, US Department of Education Secretary Cardona reiterates key legal rights afforded to students with disabilities to make sure they have equal access to in-person instruction and receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive...
Victory in Virginia for Immunocompromised Students Who Require Universal Masking to Attend School Safely
The legal landscape on masking requirements in Virginia just became much more clear. Yesterday, a federal district court judge granted a preliminary injunction sought by disabled students whose medical conditions or disabilities place them at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. The judge...