FAIR Project Now Provides Special Education Advocacy

Every student deserves the opportunity to thrive at school—including the 288,000 Georgia public school students with disabilities. These kids often face unique challenges related to behavior, discipline, or unmet learning needs. At Georgia Appleseed, we’re expanding our FAIR Project (Fairness, Advocacy & Individualized Representation) to offer legal services and advocacy support for students and families navigating special education challenges.

Contact us for:

• Legal guidance to parents and caregivers of students with disabilities who are facing school discipline or struggling to access services;
• One-on-one special education clinics, offering personalized consultations to review IEPs and identify gaps;
• Accessible, plain-language resources like our new Special Education Services guide to help families understand their rights and take action.

“Too often, a child’s behavioral challenges are misunderstood or go unsupported when they’re actually linked to an underlying disability,” says Jack Grote, Staff Attorney at Georgia Appleseed who has supported children in over 100 school reviews and disciplinary hearings. “We help parents understand their child’s educational rights and how to navigate the IEP process. We’re also supporting schools’ efforts to build stronger partnerships with families so that together, they can better meet students’ needs and improve outcomes.”

IEP Clinic: Uncover the Gaps

As part of this expansion, we’re hosting a series of free virtual clinics for parents and caregivers. Families can meet one-on-one with a trained special education advocate to:

• Review their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Discuss concerns and goals
• Receive tailored recommendations to better support their child’s learning needs.

Clinic dates are June 12, 16, and 18 – Register Here.

If you or someone you know is navigating the disciplinary process, special education services, or struggling to get the services your child needs, Georgia Appleseed is here to help.

Learn more about the FAIR Project and request legal support at www.disciplinehelp.org.