Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Disabled Student, Impacting Education Access Lawsuits
The Supreme Court's unanimous decision supports a disabled student with epilepsy, influencing future education access lawsuits for families seeking necessary accommodations.
Overview
- The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of a disabled student with epilepsy, impacting future education access lawsuits.
- The ruling could facilitate legal action for families with disabilities seeking accommodations in schools.
- The case arose after the student's family claimed the school district failed to provide necessary support.
- Lower courts had previously ruled against the family's discrimination claims, but the Supreme Court reversed this.
- The school district argued that the ruling could lead to an increase in lawsuits against public schools.
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Analysis
Emphasizes the Supreme Court's support for a disabled student's rights in educational accommodations.
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of a disabled student with a rare form of epilepsy in her lawsuit against the school for inadequate accommodations.
The ruling could have significant implications for families with disabilities seeking legal action for educational access.
The girl's family accused the school district of not providing required accommodations.
The family's discrimination claims were previously rejected by lower courts.
The school district argued that lowering the legal standard could result in an increase in lawsuits against public schools.
Articles (3)
Center (2)
"…The Supreme Court sided with a teenage girl with a rare form of epilepsy on Thursday in a unanimous ruling that could make it easier for families like hers to go to court over access to education."
Associated Press·20d·"…This outcome gets the law exactly right, and it will help protect the reasonable accommodations needed to ensure equal opportunity for all."
USA TODAY·20d·FAQ
The Supreme Court changed the legal standard that required students with disabilities to show that schools acted in 'bad faith or gross misjudgment.' Instead, it aligned the standard with other jurisdictions, where schools can be held liable if they act with 'deliberate indifference' under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Approximately 46,000 schools and 8 million children under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act could be impacted by this decision, with around 30,000 complaints pending.
Yes, the ruling could lead to increased financial liability for schools, especially in areas that previously had a higher burden of proof for students with disabilities.
History
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