The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights recently resolved a disability harassment investigation at a Pittsburgh-area school, and found the Allegheny School District failed to protect a student with disabilities who faced constant, pervasive harassment while at school.
According to the Department of Education, in failing to protect the student, the school district violated Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Per the Department of Education:
Over a period of six months, classmates repeatedly directed disability slurs at the student and both physically attacked the student and threatened to attack him in a manner directly related to his disability, all of which the student’s parent, and school staff, reported to a district principal. One of the attacks was captured on school security camera video and still the principal did not treat it as disability-based harassment.
The investigation also found the school district did not take necessary steps to investigate the incidents of harassment and attacks and even disregarded eyewitness reports.
The Department of Education is now tasking the school district to take new steps to ensure the safety of all of its students. Kennedy Hunt P.C. is committed to the educational rights of all students. If you or someone you know has had their rights violated, our skilled attorneys may be able to help you. Fill out a questionnaire so we can understand your claim.