Below is important information regarding current litigation for children with special needs. 

Blackmon/Jones v. District of Columbia

In 1997, parents of students with disabilities brought two class action lawsuits against D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) claiming that DCPS violated the federal law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In the first lawsuit, known as Blackman, parents stated that after they requested due process hearings, hearings were not held and hearing decisions were not issued on time. In the second lawsuit, known as Jones, parents stated that once they received hearing decisions or entered into a settlement agreement with DCPS, DCPS did not provide all the services that had been ordered or agreed to.

D.L. v. District of Columbia

This litigation is involves the District of Columbia’s failure to comply with the “Child Find” provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. This class action was brought by seven young children with disabilities who had challenges accessing appropriate special education services and supports.

 Petties v. District of Columbia

This litigation involved the failure of the District of Columbia to provide reliable transportation services and the District’s failure to make timely payments to vendors providing special education services for the District’s 3,100 students.