Petitioner Miguel Luna Perez, who is deaf, attended Sturgis High School in Michigan from 2007 to 2010. Throughout his time at the school, Perez requested an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for all of his classes. The school district provided an interpreter for some of his classes but not for others, claiming that an interpreter was unnecessary for certain subjects. Perez and his family argued that this violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires schools to provide appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities in order to ensure that they have equal access to education.
The case was heard by lower courts, which initially ruled in favor of the school district. However, the case was ultimately appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case and issued a unanimous ruling in favor of Perez. The court held that the school district had violated IDEA by failing to provide an interpreter in all of Perez’s classes, regardless of the subject matter. The court also rejected the school district’s argument that an interpreter was unnecessary for certain subjects, stating that this approach “risks denying children with disabilities the opportunity to achieve academic success commensurate with their nondisabled peers.”
The ruling is seen as a significant victory for disability rights advocates, as it affirms the importance of providing appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities in order to ensure that they have equal access to education. It also underscores the need for schools to work closely with disability lawyers and other advocates to ensure that they are meeting their legal obligations under IDEA and other relevant laws.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in favor of a deaf student in an education case, which could have implications for students with disabilities across the country. The case, brought by a Michigan high school student, concerns whether the school district violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by failing to provide a sign language interpreter in all of the student’s classes.
The court’s decision was praised by disability lawyers, who argued that schools have an obligation to provide appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities in order to ensure that they have equal access to education. Disability lawyers have long advocated for stronger protections for students with disabilities, and this ruling is seen as a significant victory for their cause.
The decision also underscores the importance of having experienced disability lawyers on your side when advocating for your rights as a person with a disability. These lawyers can provide critical legal guidance and support, helping to ensure that your rights are protected and that you have access to the accommodations and resources you need to succeed. If you or someone you love is struggling to access education or other resources due to a disability, contact a disability lawyer today to learn more about your rights and options.
