Erica Reynolds, a mother of five children, felt overwhelmed when her son was diagnosed with type I diabetes. She went to her son’s school to inquire about what adaptations could be made to keep him healthy and safe. Reynolds was able to secure a “504” plan for her son, which is designed for students with disabilities that affect their learning. This plan ensures that the school allows her son to monitor his blood sugar levels, bring snacks to class, or have extra time for tests when his sugar levels are not within the necessary range.
While Reynolds had a relatively smooth experience with her son’s school, she recognized that not all parents have the same experience. She felt that more information should be available to people like her. This is where IEP Defenders steps in. It is a community division of the law firm Lex Tecnica in Las Vegas, specializing in helping families navigate the complexities of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 accommodations for children with special needs, ensuring that students receive the educational services they need from their school.
The mission of IEP Defenders is to change the educational landscape, one child at a time, according to Sam Castor, Managing Partner of Lex Tecnica. Many members of IEP Defenders, including Castor and Reynolds, have children with special needs or are close to someone who has a child with special needs. The firm, which started accepting cases in August last year, has served clients in Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Hawaii. Students of the clients attend district, charter, and private schools.
Castor mentioned that most cases arise when schools do not follow a student’s IEP or a plan for students with certain disabilities, as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These disabilities can include learning disabilities like dyslexia, developmental delays, or physical impairments like hearing loss. Schools are mandated by federal and state law to provide each student with a disability a free public education, including special education and related services that meet appropriate standards.
IEPs are tailored to meet the individual needs of each student. As of October 2023, approximately 67,000 students statewide were enrolled in a special education program and received related services as part of their IEP, 504 plan, or an individualized family service plan, used for children from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or at risk of delay.
IEP Defenders offer a free consultation to families of students facing challenges in their schools. Castor mentioned that once his team gets involved, cases are usually resolved at the school level before escalating to a formal hearing or further legal action. Castor emphasized how quickly people start acting more humbly and humanely to address issues when a lawyer is involved.
Before starting IEP Defenders, Castor was part of an effort in 2022 to include an initiative on the 2024 ballot that would have allowed local municipalities to separate from the Clark County School District. However, the initiative did not gather enough valid signatures to qualify. The group behind the proposal, including Castor, is suing the signature collection company for fraud and breach of contract.
Castor believes that dividing the massive school district would help prevent students from falling through the cracks. For now, the firm is focused on expanding its reach to help as many people as possible. Castor expressed that if they become unemployed due to successfully helping others, it would be fantastic.