Mental Illness- Through Eyes Of Those Affected

What Are Your Rights?
Home
Stories & Advice From Those Who Know
Kid's Zone
Support Organizations - All forms of Mental Illness
What Parents Should Look For If You Suspect Mental Illness In Your Child
Up To Date News & Information
Education for Parents & Educators Regarding Mental Illness
Links for Educators Nation Wide
Free & Low Cost Prescription Resources
Working Alternative Possibilites into Treamtent Plans
What Exactly Are "Reasonable Accommodations?"
What Are Your Rights?
State Laws for All States
Mental Health Resources
Work From Home Opportunities
Contact Us

Just because you suffer Mental Illness doesn't mean you have no rights.  Schools, employers and other situations, protect you from exclusion. 
 
Below you will find different links that will tell you what your rights are and guide you to people who can help you along the way.
 
Please return to this page often for further information as this page will be updated often.

  • U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Burden of Proof Case
    in Weast v. Schaffer

    February 22, 2005. Today, the U. S. Supreme Court granted certiorari to hear Brian Schaffer's appeal of an adverse ruling from the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. This decision assigns the burden of proof to the party who initiates a special education due process hearing.

    Split Among Circuits

    In their decision in Weast v. Schaffer, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit wrote, "Other circuits are split - and splintered in reasoning - on this question. Three circuits assign the burden to the parents, and four (perhaps five) assign it to the school system."

    2-1 Decision

    In their 2-1 decision issued on July 29, 2004, the majority held that:

    "In sum, the IDEA does not allocate the burden of proof, and we see no reason to depart from the general rule that a party initiating a proceeding bears that burden. Congress was aware that school systems might have an advantage in administrative proceedings brought by parents to challenge IEPs. To avoid this problem, Congress provided a number of procedural safeguards for parents, but assignment of the burden of proof to school systems was not one of them. Because Congress took care in specifying specific procedural protections necessary to implement the policy goals of the Act, we decline to go further, at least insofar as the burden of proof is concerned. Accordingly, we hold that parents who challenge an IEP have the burden of proof in the administrative hearing. We reverse the judgment of the district court and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion."

    Judge Luttig, in his dissent, wrote:

    "I fear that, in reaching the contrary conclusion, the majority has been unduly influenced by the fact that the parents of the disabled student in this case have proven to be knowledgeable about the educational resources available to their son and sophisticated (if yet unsuccessful) in their pursuit of these resources. If so, it is regrettable. These parents are not typical, and any choice regarding the burden of proof should not be made in the belief that they are. For the vast majority of parents whose children require the benefits and protections provided in the IDEA, the specialized language and technical educational analysis with which they must familiarize themselves as a consequence of their child's disability will likely be obscure, if not bewildering. By the same token, most of these parents will find the educational program proposed by the school district resistant to challenge: the school district will have better information about the resources available to it, as well as the benefit of its experience with other disabled children. With the full mix of parents in mind, I believe that the proper course is to assign the burden of proof in due process hearings to the school district."

    "I respectfully dissent."

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
    Definition of ADA Terms

**The information contained in these pages is for educational purposes only, this is not legal advice. Individuals should contact the appropriate legal resources for specific legal advice regarding their particular situations.

Magical Choices * Greensboro, NC 27455