student rights' advocate

Advocates who participate in school meetings with parents who have children with learning disabilities, autism, CP, Down Syndrome, and any other special needs. We assist parents to prepare for IEP meetings and accommodation (504) meetings in public schools. We review IEPs and 504 plans at parent request.

Special Education Parent's Advocacy Link LLC (SEPAL) advocates have special knowledge of the problems of children with disabilities. SEPAL advocates have years of experience working the public school system. SEPAL advocates are not attorneys and do not give legal advice. We are not licensed to practice law in any state. SEPAL does not represent anyone.

Students with disabilities who are suspended for disability-related behaviors may request an advocate participate in manifestation determination meetings.

SEPAL advocates are trained IEP facilitators.

The founder of SEPAL was a public school teacher who left the classroom to help other parents help their children who struggle in public school. She has worked in law firms preparing special education due process hearing actions for parents.

Clients will be asked to sign a service agreement that prepays a set amount of hours. Usually the first hour or two is a telephone consult discussing strategies parent's might consider using when advocating for their child in upcoming meetings at the school. Evening telephone consults are available.

Parents may arrange for an advocate to participate in a school meeting via the school's telephone (speakerphone). This requires enough advance arrangement to be possible. Several days advance planning is required. Check the website for more detailed information.

Employers: Provide this service to employees who are too often called by the school to pick up their kids who have special needs. SEPAL services help to minimize the number of employee absences.

All services SEPAL provides to a parent is done at the request of the parent.