ADDHelpline is your ADD Information Source

Search Our Site
Online ADD Tests
Parents
Teachers
Adults With ADD
Children
Teens
Parenting Teens With ADHD
Articles and Information
Medication Fact Sheets
Healthology
ADHD In Preschool
Newsletter
ADHD In The News
ADHD Directory
Special Needs Store
Disclaimer/Terms of Use
AboutUs
Take A Break
Allied Products

If you are interested in learning more about how you can receive EEG Neurotherapy right in your home, using your own computer, enter your email address below.

 

Regular Features

THE PARENT COACH
Dr. Steven Richfield provides articles on many different aspects of raising a child with ADHD.                                   

ASK THE ADVOCATE
Each month we our advocate will be answering questions from our visitors about yours and your children's rights in the educational system.    

PARENTS TALK
A mother is trying to help her teenage son learn anger management.   

MOTIVATION TIPS
Five great ideas for motivation, including The Shoe Race, Trading Places and more.  

ORGANIZATION TIPS
Organize your child at home, and maybe find some tips that will help you as well.  

ADHD IN THE NEWS
Headlines about ADHD, Learning Disability and Mental Disorders


Study on ADD and TV
The recent study published on watching television between the ages of one and three and the possible link to ADD/ADHD did not take many considerations into account. The author of the study even admits that he cannot conclude that television watching and ADD/ADHD are linked.

Read the Article

ASK THE ADVOCATE

by Steve Glink

Click here to find out more about Steve

Return to this month's newsletter

Return to Ask the Advocate Archives

To ask our advocate a question, email here

This Month's Question:

I was wondering what exact guidelines a public school has for handicap seating at school events?  I am in a wheelchair and they do not allow me to be able to set with the rest of our student body.  I am actively involved and I think that I should be able to sit in the same areas as everyone else?  If you could just let me know what my rights are I would appreciate it!
 
Thanks!
Dustin

 

Dustin: Thank you for your inquiry. This sounds like a very unique and intense situation. Here is what I can tell you. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the (federal) Rehabilitation Act, public schools are prohibited from discriminating based upon a disability. Section 504 requires that the discriminatory act be based "solely" upon the individual's disability. There are other various legal requirements to be protected under these laws (i.e., the disability must substantially impair a daily life function) and those issues are often contested factually. Your state law also probably has similar anti-discrimination laws. I will assume for the purpose of this response that you are eligible for protection. The law requires the school district to make "reasonable accommodations" in these situations. There is no precise definition for the term reasonable accommodation. That is determined on a case by case basis. The real issue is why do they prohibit you from sitting with the rest of the students?
 
Here are some suggestions: 1. you can file a complaint with the U.S. Justice Department in your local area. They may refer you to the Office of Civil Rights, the Department of Education or one of their other departments. You can also file a complaint with your city or state Human Rights Department. You can also retain a lawyer privately.
 
 Please be advised that nothing contained herein should be construed as a definitive statement that you do or do not have a case. I hope that this is helpful and I wish you good luck.If you would like to discuss your case further, please call me at 847/480-7749. Steve Glink