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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Reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express international disability rights news service.
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