As I’ve discussed in previous blogs like The Widespread Abuse and Neglect in New Jersey Group Homes, the mistreatment of people with special needs is rampant. According to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics, the disabled community accounts for just over 12% of the US population, and yet 26% of nonfatal violent crimes are committed against them. Sadly, this means that people with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be victimized. In this post, I am going to focus on the overwhelming abuse and disregard experienced by those with special needs within New Jersey’s educational system.
New Jersey Education Professionals Looking the Other Way
While there are thousands of educational professionals throughout New Jersey who advocate for and help protect our special needs population, there are many who show a blatant indifference to the support they require. Far too often, teachers, administration, and other faculty members look the other way when it comes to the most vulnerable students under their care. This is especially true for non-verbal children who cannot put words to describe the abuse many of them fall victim to.
Is Out-of-District Placement a Viable Solution?
Out-of-District Private School Placement
Many families fight for out-of-district placement, believing that a new educational setting will benefit their children with special needs. Private schools are heavily sought after, as the New Jersey Department of Education keeps a list of Approved Private Schools for Students with Disabilities. This list can also be categorized based on disability specializations, including:
- Autism
- Auditory impairments
- Cognitive-mild
- Cognitive-moderate
- Cognitive-severe
- Emotional regulation impairment
- Learning/language disabilities-mild to moderate
- Learning/language disabilities-severe
- Multiple disabilities
- Preschool disabled
- Visual impairments
Out-of-District Placement – Abuse and Neglect
Unfortunately, out-of-district private school placement for special needs students sometimes results in similar instances of abuse and neglect. How does this happen within environments meant to be welcoming and supportive to those with special needs?
I wish I knew. But there is no specific reason why this inexcusable treatment occurs. Some of it relates to a lack of proper staff training. Other times, it pertains to an absence of accountability.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Out-of-District Placement
I know from personal experience how grueling a lawsuit in which a family is put up against a school or even an entire school district can be. Members of the New Jersey Judiciary are state employees. Public school teachers and other educational professionals are, you guessed it, state employees. While I do not believe these two state departments are colluding, this fact makes it nearly impossible to win a case against a public school without professional legal guidance. I help families throughout New Jersey fight for the rights of those with special needs. Call me at (973)907-6231 or fill out this contact form to learn more about how I can help your family receive the support you deserve.