Attorneys should get involved in LRE cases - Least Restrictive Environment

During their school age years, my mission is to zealously advocate for students with disabilities, focusing on appropriate education in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

To fulfill the above stated personal and professional mission, in my capacity as both an attorney and as a mother of a child with a significant disability, I have chosen to focus my law practice to LRE cases. I seek to represent students who want to be educated in general education classes in the neighborhood schools.

I strive to educate parents, professionals, administrative hearing officers, and the community at large about LRE. Attorneys can get involved in LRE cases on the IEP level to achieve inclusion, win appropriate services for the student, and hopefully avoid mediation or due process.

If cases come to my office after the family has filed for due process, it is difficult for us to cure any mistakes that happened on the school building level.

I feel it is important to avoid due process. 80% of all hearings are lost by the family. Due process is financially and emotionally costly. However, if the school will not collaborate, I will assist the family in mediation, resolution sessions, manifestation determinations, and due process.

I see myself as a valuable member of the IEP team. I try to move teams forward so students can get the services they need.

When individuals with disabilities are no longer eligible for Special Education services, I fight to make sure they are not discriminated against in college, at work, or in the community.

Thanks for listening. Now, let me go and do the right thing!
Anne Eason

Law Offices of Anne I. Eason, LLC. Practice limited to Special Education and Disability Law. Attorney Eason's office is located in Fairfield County, but she practices throughout Connecticut. Attorney Eason is available for consultations on Special Education issues, section 504 matters, ADA violations. She can attend IEP meetings, Mediation, Manifestation Determination meetings, Section 504 meetings, Due Process, and meetings on disability discrimination matters.