THE BAZELON CENTER IS COMMITTED TO

ACCESS TO
EDUCATION FOR
ALL CHILDREN

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We believe that all people deserve equal care and protection under the law. Our work in education is mostly based around protecting the rights of students in public schools under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Under these laws, all students — regardless of mental illness or ability — should be able to receive accommodation and education while being integrated into the classroom.

THE BAZELON CENTER IS COMMITTED TO

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

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Having a job, perhaps more than any other factor, enables people with mental illness to lead full lives in their communities. We will continue to strive for workplace and employment equality, so that individuals with disabilities will not be discriminated against while seeking employment and/or once hired.

THE BAZELON CENTER IS COMMITTED TO

ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

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Individuals with mental illness and intellectual disabilities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, which is why the Bazelon Center works to ensure that individuals at all income levels have access to community-mental health services that will enable them to live and work independently in the community.

THE BAZELON CENTER IS COMMITTED TO

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

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While nearly 18% of the general population have mental illness of some kind, that percentage is disproportionately higher in the prison population. Like people of color, people with disabilities are much more likely to be incarcerated. They are often non-violent offenders, which is why we at the Bazelon Center believe in criminal justice reform to change the way we punish non-violent and first-time offenders. Even people who break the law deserve to be treated fairly by it.

Implementing Endrew

ENDREW AMICUS WORK

We filed an amicus brief in Renee J. v. Houston Independent School District, urging the Fifth Circuit to properly apply the “markedly more demanding” standard for free and appropriate public education announced by the Supreme Court in Endrew F.
read more »

New Case

M.J. v. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

We filed a class action lawsuit in federal court challenging the District of Columbia’s failure to provide intensive community-based services, causing hundreds of children to be needlessly institutionalized or at serious risk of institutionalization.
read more »

ADA Guidance

DISABILITY COMMUNITY LETTER

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and the Collaboration to Promote Self Determination (CPSD) wrote to the Justice Department to express concern about the Department’s recent withdrawal of a number of guidance and technical assistance documents concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). read more »

BAZELON CENTER AND PARTNERS REACH GROUND-BREAKING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH STATE OF OHIO IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT

A settlement agreement reached in the longstanding Doe v. State of Ohio special education class action lawsuit will improve the academic achievement of students with disabilities, in part by supporting their inclusion in regular classrooms. The settlement is expected over the next five years to improve the state’s support for special education throughout Ohio, as well as create measurable improvements in student performance and inclusion for children with disabilities in 11 of Ohio’s large urban school districts. Disability Rights Ohio (DRO), the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the law firm Steptoe & Johnson celebrate this agreement and thank Ohio Governor John Kasich, the Ohio Department of Education and the State School Board for their efforts to arrive at this important outcome. Read more about this case here.

ACCESS TO EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

FEATURED WORK

ENDREW AMICUS WORK

M.J. v. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

DISABILITY COMMUNITY LETTER

BAZELON CENTER AND PARTNERS REACH GROUND-BREAKING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH STATE OF OHIO IN SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT

ACCESS TO
EDUCATION FOR
ALL CHILDREN