RETAINER CLIENTS GO TO THE ENTRY GATE
Q: What is LaPointe & Associates, P.C.?
A: LaPointe & Associates, P.C. is a law
firm specializing in representing school districts in special
education (IDEA), Section 504, ADA and other disability related
matters. This web site, SPEDLAW, is brought to you as a service
of LaPointe & Associates.
Q: Can anyone access the information on SPEDLAW?
A: While many of the areas of our web page,
SPEDLAW, can be accessed by any person with access to the
Internet, many portions of the web page are password protected.
These areas, such as frequently asked questions about special
education law, on-line access to newsletter articles, cases
involving special education, prototype school policies,
procedures, forms, etc., can only be accessed by entering the
name of your organization and your Personal Identification Number
(PIN).
Q: How do I get a PIN number to access restricted areas of SPEDLAW.
A: You will be provided a PIN number when you
become a retainer client of LaPointe & Associates. Since
SPEDLAW is a service of LaPointe & Associates to its clients,
certain information is only available to those who have
"subscribed" through a retainer agreement.
Q: Can anyone become a "subscriber" or "retainer" client in order to access SPEDLAW?
A: No. LaPointe & Associates is a law
firm which specializes in representing school districts in
special education, Section 504 and ADA matters. A school district
may become a "subscriber" or a "retainer"
client. Either of these methods will provide a PIN number to gain
access to the SPEDLAW web page.
Q: What is the difference between a "subscriber" and a "retainer client"?
A: Since access to the information on SPEDLAW
is designed to assist school districts in fulfilling their
obligations to students with disabilities, access is limited to
school districts. School districts in the state of Michigan may
become a "retainer client" and receive a PIN number as
part of their retainer agreement. As a retainer client, a
Michigan school district would be provided a subscription to the
newsletter OP News, access to the web site SPEDLAW, access to
form policies, procedures, a data base of Michigan hearing
officer decisions, the annual "retainer" workshop and
access to an attorney for consultation. Time and consultation in
excess of the retainer agreement is also billed at a reduced
rate.
A school district outside of the state of Michigan may become
a "subscriber". As a subscriber you will receive a copy
of the monthly newsletter, OP News, and a PIN number to access OP
News online... A subscriber does NOT receive consultation time or
access to other restricted areas of the Web Site.
Q: How much does it cost to become a "retainer client" or a "subscriber".
A: The annual cost for a retainer client
(retainer year from July 1 - June 30) is $775.00. The annual
cost to become a subscriber is $95.00 (subscription year from September -
August). Payment must be made by school district check or
PO. Sorry, in order to insure the status of an organization, no
personal checks, credit cards or money orders are accepted as
payment. All checks must be drawn on a school district account or
PO.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: A school district may become a retainer client or subscriber by filling out the appropriate form and e-mailing the form to our offices. To obtain a form, simply click the button below:
Q: What type of questions are addressed in SPEDLAW's FAQ's?
A: The FAQ's cover a broad spectrum of special education, 504 and ADA issues. Following are a few examples of the questions to which you will find answers in the pages of SPEDLAW's FAQ's:
Q: After a student turns 18, must a school district invite the student's parents to future IEP meetings or give them notice of placement decisions if the parents have not obtained a guardianship over the student?
Q: Do the notice requirements of Section 1415(c) of IDEA-97 (prior written notice) apply to invitations to IEP meetings?
Q: May a school district contact local law enforcement authorities in regard to behaviors of a student with disabilities?
Q: When a student with disabilities is voluntarily placed by parents in a private school outside the resident district, which district is responsible for evaluating the student and providing any requested special education services?