Law and Advocacy

It is not difficult to get overwhelmed by the Special Education System. If you have questions about the Special Education Process or if you need someone to accompany you to your IEP meeting, there are many organizations with programs in place to help. Below is a directory of specialists in the Special Education Process and experts in legal rights. 

The Arc of New Jersey
985 Livingston Avenue
North Brunswick, NJ 08902
(732)246-2525
info@arcnj.org
www.arcnj.org
The Arc of New Jersey promotes and protects the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes; and is committed to enhancing the quality of life of those individuals and their families through advocacy, empowerment, education and prevention.

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
296 Dover Road
Warrenton, VA 20186
(540) 428-1096
www.copaa.net
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) is an independent, nonprofit, §501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization of attorneys, special education advocates and parents. COPAA's mission is to be a national voice for special education rights and to promote excellence in advocacy. Our primary goal is to secure high quality educational services for children with disabilities.

Disability Rights New Jersey (formerly New Jersey Protection and Advocacy, Inc.)
10 S Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
1.800.922.7233 (in NJ only) • 1.609.292.9742 (Voice)
1.609.777.0187 (Fax) • 1.609.633.7106 (TTY) 
www.drnj.org
DRNJ is a private, non-profit, consumer-directed organization established to:
- Advocate for and advance the human, civil and legal rights of citizens of New Jersey with disabilities;
- Promote public awareness and recognition of individuals with disabilities as equally entitled members of society;
- Advise and assist persons with disabilities, family members, attorneys and guardians in obtaining and protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities; and
Provide education, training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, the agencies that serve them, advocates, attorneys, professionals, courts and others regarding the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Education Law Center
60 Park Place, Suite 300
Newark, NJ 07102
(973)624-1815
www.edlawcenter.org
Founded in 1973, Education Law Center (ELC) advocates on behalf of public school children for access to an equal and adequate education under state and federal laws. ELC's work is based on a core value: if given the opportunity, all children can achieve high academic standards to prepare them for citizenship and to compete in the economy. ELC focuses on improving public education for disadvantaged children, and children with disabilities and other special needs. ELC uses a wide variety of strategies, including public education and engagement, policy initiatives, research, communications and, as a last resort, legal action.

New Jersey Department of Education Special Education Programs
NJ Department of Education
PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
(877)900-6960
www.state.nj.us/education/specialed
The New Jersey Department of Education develops policies that ensure that all students with disabilities in the state have full access to educational opportunities. They administer all federal funds that are targeted for NJ students with disabilities. They also monitor special education services and investigate complaints submitted by the public. Their website is an excellent resource if you are looking for a copy of the NJ Special Education Code, Due process or complaint investigation forms, or other information about regulations and funding.
Documents: Special Education New Jersey Administrative Code / Download PDF

No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
NJ State Coordinator for NCLB
New Jersey Department of Education
100 Riverview Plaza
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
(609) 292-4442
suzanne.ochse@doe.state.nj.us
www.state.nj.us/education
The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law January 8, 2002. School districts are held accountable for results and must implement teaching methods based on scientifically based research. Funding is linked to measures of improvement.

Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities
More information from the US Dept of Education's Office of Civil Rights at us.gov.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law designed to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Section 504 guarantees certain rights to individuals with disabilities, including the right to full participation and access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to all children regardless of the nature or severity of the disability.

Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
35 Halsey St., Fourth Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
(973)642-8100
Toll Free 1-800-654-SPAN
www.spannj.org
span@spannj.org
The mission of the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network is to empower and support families and inform and involve professionals and others interested in the healthy development and education of children and youth. SPAN’s foremost commitment is to children and families with the greatest need due to disability; poverty; discrimination based on race, sex, language, immigrant, or homeless status; involvement in the foster care, child welfare, or juvenile justice systems; geographic location; or other special circumstances.

US Department of Education Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
www.idea.ed.gov
IDEA is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. The U.S. DOE website provides information regarding procedural safeguards, the Individualized Education Program (IEP), Early Intervening Services (EIS), Highly Quaified Teachers (HQT) and other major topics related to IDEA.
IDEA regulations and document downloads are available on our DOWNLOADS page.

Wright's Law
www.wrightslaw.com
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys use Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities. Search advocacy and law libraries. Thousands of articles, cases, and resources about dozens of topics are listed.