Equip for Equality Victory Allows Kindergartner to
Remain in Her Neighborhood School

Equip for Equality recently achieved a due process victory on behalf of Angela, a six year old girl with Autism, allowing her to remain in her neighborhood kindergarten classroom in Lanark Illinois, located in Northwestern Illinois. Eastland school district wanted to transfer Angela to a segregated school 30 miles away from her home. Concerned that Angela would be forever segregated from her community peers, Angela's mother wanted her daughter to learn alongside other children from her town, to make friends with children who could be communication role models, to play with classmates who did not share her socialization difficulties and, most importantly, to continue to be a part of her school community.

Equip for Equality represented Angela at a five-day due process hearing and obtained an order that will allow Angela to become a full member of the kindergarten class at her town's elementary school. In addition, Angela will receive needed supports and services to foster her success in the general education setting.