SACRAMENTO — Two parents are suing state of California agencies, alleging disability discrimination and failure to uphold the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) regulations.
Kristina B and Michael B, parents of 16-year-old S.B., filed a complaint Nov. 8 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the California Department of Education and the state of California, alleging they failed to provide appropriate an educational facility for their daughter who has learning disabilities.
According to the complaint, the minor child with exceptional needs has suffered substantial educational and psychological losses, resulting in pain and suffering. The suit alleges the problems are caused by the defendants' actions or lack of actions in providing equal access to educational services and appropriate residential placements in the state to plaintiffs' minor child with special needs.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants denied equal access to an educational program within California due to the severity of her mental health needs and failed to provide minor child the support and services she required to benefit from her education.
The plaintiffs seek trial by jury, compensatory, special and general damages, injunctive relief, attorneys fees, costs of suit and all other relief the court deems just. They are represented by attorneys F. Richard Ruderman, Christian M. Knox and Colleen A. Snyder of Ruderman & Knox LLP in Sacramento.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California case number 17-cv-01507