U.S. Education Department launches review of digital accessibility
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights is launching compliance reviews to investigate whether the digital resources provided by educational institutions are in compliance with the IDEA. The department is including K-12 school districts, postsecondary institutions, state departments of education, libraries, and vocational rehabilitation services in the review. 

The department created a National Digital Accessibility Team three years ago and has resolved more than 1,000 digital accessibility cases since then. Read more from Disability Scoop. 
CPS schools in dire straits with support staff substitute shortage 
In Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Special Ed Classroom Assistants (SECAs, aka Paraprofessionals) are critical to providing the services to which students with disabilities are legally entitled. But staffing shortages are hitting the pool of SECA substitutes, putting schools in a bind when a SECA falls ill or needs personal time off.
 
According to a Chalkbeat analysis, the school district received nearly 80,000 substitute requests already this year but was able to fill just over a quarter of them. “SECAs are an integral part of the school community,” says one CPS teacher. “You can definitely feel a shift when they are absent.” Read more from Chalkbeat.

Easing the transition to a new school for children with disabilities 
Switching schools is difficult for most students and their families, but it can be especially troubling for children with disabilities. However, special ed advocates and therapists say there are strategies parents can use to make the transition less painful.
 
Matt Cohen advises parents to keep in mind that IEPs do not automatically transfer over to new schools. “When a child moves from one school to another, the new school is obligated to consider the plan that was in place at the other school but is not bound by it,” Matt says. “They have a right to start all over again.” Read more from ADDitude Magazine.
Illinois Statewide Transition Conference being held Nov. 3 - 4
Matt Cohen will be presenting at the Illinois Statewide Transition Conference on Nov. 3. The title of his presentation is “The Challenge of Finding Hope for Our Kids and Ourselves!”

The conference will focus on best practices for promoting effective, person-centered transition planning that addresses all aspects of adult life for youth with disabilities. More details about the conference can be found here
 
Registration open for COPAA SPED advocacy trainings
Registration is open for the next Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) offered by the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPAA), of which Matt Cohen is a board member. SEAT 3.0 is being offered this summer and SEAT 2.0 is being offered in the fall. There are three levels of training and the courses fill up quickly. Find more info and registration links here. 
Recent firm successes

  • Successfully advocated for co-taught classes despite team pressure for inappropriate instructional-level classes for a student with an IEP.

  • Worked effectively with a therapeutic day school to address parent concerns with a proactive and positive plan.
 
  • Supported a family to successfully advocate that meaningful vision supports be included within the IEP.
 
  • Coached a family to navigate the process to advocate for a therapeutic day school level of placement and to find an appropriate program.
 
  • Supported family and team to create a robust and individualized IEP and transition plan for high school.
 
  • Collaborated with district staff to transfer a student to a more appropriate Therapeutic Day School placement.
 
  • Secured placement at HPDS at district expense. 
 
  • Secured placement at Brehm at district expense.

  • Secured placement at Cove at district expense.

  • Secured a second placement at Cove, for another student, at district expense.
Office news and updates
Matt Cohen has been ranked as one of America’s Most Honored Lawyers, in the top 1 percent, by the American Registry.

Matt Cohen again has been selected a 2022 Illinois Super Lawyer, a distinction he has held since 2007.
 
Matt also has once again been selected an Illinois Leading Lawyer for 2022, a distinction earned by fewer than 5 percent of all lawyers licensed to practice law in Illinois.
 
Matt also has been named an Avvo top lawyer for 2022.
 
Matt once again is a contributing author for the K and W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities, published by Penguin Random House. His article, "10 Things College Students with Disabilities Need to Know About their Rights," appears in the 15th edition of the guide.
 
Matt Cohen & Associates was selected the Best Local Business for the 2021 Best of Chicago Awards. The award recognizes the firm's commitment to community service.
 
Summer is starting...a great time for an IEP check up to prepare for next year!" Is your child's IEP giving them all they need? Does it have the right goals, objectives and evaluation procedures? Do the services and accommodations provide all they are entitled to? Click here for further details.
BROCHURES AVAILABLE

We offer several different brochures related to the following topics, available by calling the office: 

  • Introduction to College Accommodations
  • IEPs and 504 Plans - Navigating the Maze
  • Tips for Obtaining Accommodations for the ACT, SAT and other Placement Exams
  • Obtaining an Independent Educational Evaluation
  • Tips for Obtaining Appropriate Services for Your Child With Autism
  • Classroom Observation

ABOUT US

Matt Cohen is the founder of the Chicago law firm Matt Cohen & Associates LLC. 

The practice is concentrated in representation of children and families in special education and discipline disputes with public schools, disability rights advocacy, including advocacy for accommodations in admissions and licensing tests and in colleges and graduate schools and legal assistance to mental health and human services professionals and the organizations they work for. 

For more information about Matt Cohen and the staff and to view this email in your browser, please visit our website.
 
If you have any questions, please contact his assistant, Tami Kuipers at 866-787-9270 or tami.kuipers@gmail.com

A Guide to Special Education Advocacy -
What Parents, Clinicians and Advocates
Need to Know

written by Matt Cohen

published in 2009
 
$20 plus $4.95
shipping 
to order, call Tami
at 866-787-9270 or
Disclaimer:  

The material in this enews has been prepared by Matt Cohen & staff for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. We assume no responsibility for the accuracy or timeliness of any information provided herein. Internet subscribers and online readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. 
 
We would be pleased to communicate with you via email. However, if you communicate with us through the Web site regarding a matter for which we do not already represent you, your communication may not be treated as privileged and confidential. Do not send us confidential, proprietary or other sensitive information until you speak with one of our attorneys and receive authorization to send that information. Matt Cohen is providing this enews, the information, listings, and links contained herein only as a convenience to you.