helping to make strides for jason

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii helped make strides for my son, Jason, to be included in his first field trip with his non-disabled peers.
 
After years of long battles with the Department of Education, this year, Jason was allowed to participate in an overnight statewide student conference, complete with behavior support and accommodations because of his disability. He was the school’s first student representative who had disabilities and a special education IEP.
 
Jason learned to advocate at the Legislature alongside all students.
 
Before I came to Legal Aid, the school asked me to arrange for and pay extra for separate accommodations, to be present for the 2-night stay, and to transport my son to and from the Capitol, not required of other parents. The school would provide a behavior support technician, but only during regular school hours. Jason would not be able to participate fully.
 
I believed this was unfair and I could not pay more than the regular conference fee.  To make inclusion possible this time, I needed an advocate. 
 
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii’s Whole Child Project came through!
 
Their staff attorney taught me how Sec. 504 is a law that guarantees a student equal access to extracurricular activities. I learned to write an effective letter explaining how imposing the requirements due to my son's disability would deny my son equal access to participate.
 
A separate special education was not enough for my son. He wanted to be included, too.
 
I encourage parents of students with disabilities to ask the school and district staff for -- and expect -- their children to be included in field trips and extracurricular activities with the supports they may need. When your student is denied, this legal battle for inclusion can be won. 
 
I would like parents and others to know the breakthrough that the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii made for all students to have equal access and to be included. 

- Linda Elento, mother of Jason Elento