DRO and NAACP plan parents’ sessions

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Disability Rights Ohio and the NAACP Youngstown Branch will have a training session for parents of students with disabilities at East High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County’s main branch at Wick and Rayen avenues.

Lunch will be provided. The training will help parents to understand the law and their rights and to develop additional advocacy skills.

“The NAACP Youngstown Branch noticed that 31 percent of students at East High School have disabilities,” says Disability Rights Ohio Senior Attorney Kristin Hildebrant. “In contrast, Youngstown Early College High School, located just a mile away, has zero percent. We support the NAACP’s efforts to notify ODE about this discrepancy and will be providing information and assistance as the matter moves forward.”

“Disability Rights Ohio’s willingness to assist our students and their families will help us ensure that their civil and educational rights are protected,” said Jimma McWilson, NAACP vice president. “This will add to the NAACP Youngstown Branch’s commitment to support and empower our families so that they can hold the [school] district accountable for delivering the quality of services and care the students deserve.”

To register, contact Disability Rights Ohio at 800-282-9181and pick option 2 for intake by close of business Monday. The intake department is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays. Callers are asked to inform the office about accommodations requests or dietary restrictions when registering.