New Jersey Parents Say State Illegally Segregated Children With Down
Syndrome
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
November 1,
2006
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY--Three New Jersey families of children with
Down syndrome are suing the state Department of Education and the Jefferson
Township School District claiming their school failed to teach the children in
regular classrooms alongside same-age peers without disabilities.
According to the October 27 Morris County Daily Record, the parents
allege in the class action that the district and state violated the federal
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Americans with Disabilities
Act by placing a high percentage of students with disabilities in specialized,
segregated classrooms.
"I'm doing this for my son and for the families who came before us and
those who will come after us," said Kelly Grieco, who said the district failed
to provide her 9-year-old son, Vincenzo Grieco, with adequate support to make
his first grade experience a successful one.
"I want for Vinny what I want for all my children," she added. "He has a
contribution to make, even if it's not like what everyone else can do, and he
needs to be valued for that."
Related:
"Parents' suit: Open doors to regular classrooms" (Daily
Record)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/06/red/1101c.htm
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