ADAP's Special Education Advocacy Services
"My son is in fifth grade and can't read. What's going on? Does he need special education?"
"My parent support group is looking for someone to come and talk about special education law."
"I have a question about my son's IEP"
"The teachers in my department would benefit from a training on the disciplinary procedures of the IDEA."
"My daughter's school tells me she doesn't qualify for services under the IDEA but it wants to write a 504 plan for her. What's the difference between the two?"
These are a sampling of the questions that ADAP receives daily about special education in Alabama. Who's here at ADAP to help with these questions? What services can ADAP provide?
A team of advocates and attorneys provides training, information and referral,
and case advocacy services for consumers.
Training
ADAP annually provides dozens of trainings for parent support groups, and school systems. Some of the topics which have been addressed at trainings include: how to write IEPs, self-advocacy for parents, special education law and school disciplinary procedures and transition planning.
Information and referral services
ADAP answers all calls for technical assistance and referrals on special education matters.
Case Advocacy
Sometimes, a parent calls ADAP with a problem that needs more than simple technical assistance. ADAP would then consider this parent's need for individual case advocacy.
ADAP's individual case advocacy services might include attending IEP meetings with parents, negotiating with school districts over disagreements about a child's IEP, participating in mediation procedures or representing parents in due process hearings.
Unfortunately, ADAP cannot represent every person who requests individual case advocacy services. Please see ADAP's
eligibility criteria for more information.
What happens when you call ADAP with a question or problem?
This information will be turned over to an ADAP intake advocate who specializes in the issue you are facing.
The advocate will contact you and, depending on the complexity of your problem, she may be able to provide you the help you're looking for during this call. In some cases, after talking with you further about your concern, the advocate may need to do some research and get back in touch with you again.
If the advocate believes your question might require individual case advocacy services, she will refer your concern to ADAP's Children’s Advocacy Team for its review. The Children’s Advocacy Team will evaluate your need for assistance in light of ADAP's eligibility criteria.
If we're able to assist you, an advocate or attorney will be assigned to your case. If ADAP is not able to provide you with individual case advocacy services, we make every effort to refer you to an organization or private attorney who might be able to help you.