Disability Legal Services is now Ability Allies! See the press release for more information.
Advocacy For Students With Disabilities
Our Mission
Disability Legal Services of Indiana, now doing business as Ability Allies, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing free and low-cost legal services to Indiana’s children and adults with disabilities, primarily in education matters.
Who We Are
We empower Hoosier children with disabilities by providing low or no-cost legal advocacy to ensure access to education.
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What We Do
We provide legal consultation and representation in the areas of special education, including Section 504 Plans and Individual Education Plans.
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Why We Matter
Indiana has more than 175,000 children receiving special education services, many of them living below federal poverty levels.
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Parents in the Know
Special Education Information for Indiana Families
Assessments and Attendance
At Ability Allies we are passionate about helping Hoosier children succeed in school. Success in school is often measured by assessments and attendance.
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SCHOOL ZONE NEWS!
The Indiana legislature passed several new laws affecting K-12 education. Many of the laws became effective on July 1st. Read on below for a short summary of some of the laws to stay informed!
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Protecting Students Educational Rights
Empowering students with disabilities to reach their full potential
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Might Your Child Need Extended School Year Services?
All public schools must make ESY services available, as necessary, to provide free and appropriate education (FAPE).
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Success Stories
Chronic Medical Issue
Our attorneys assisted a family who recently moved to Indiana. The single mother was overwhelmed with her son’s chronic medical conditions that required close monitoring. His conditions required medical treatment and often affected his ability to attend school. The student had missed many weeks due to his disabilities/medical conditions. His mother tried unsuccessfully to have her son identified as a student with special education needs. We successfully advocated for the family, the student was properly identified as a student with a disability, and the school developed an individualized education plan that included homebound services allowing the student to receive educational services during his illnesses when he was unable to attend school.
Adoptive Parent's Crisis
Our attorneys assisted a single woman who was given custody of her nephew after he was removed from his home following several years of trauma and instability. Her nephew, an elementary student with a reading disability, was struggling educationally and behaviorally and had been removed to a restrictive educational setting outside of his school district. His aunt tried unsuccessfully for over a year to have her nephew transferred to his local public school so that he could attend his neighborhood school with his non-disabled peers. We worked collaboratively with the local school staff and their legal counsel and the client’s nephew was successfully transferred to his local public school within a month with an appropriate education plan in place to meet his educational and behavioral needs. He is thriving in his new environment.
Do You Know a Child Who Needs Our Help?
Do You Want More Information About Us?
Call 317.426.7733
or fill out and submit our form
How You Can Help
You can support the work of Ability Allies by becoming part of our mission to serve children with disabilities who need a voice in their future.
Annual Report 2022-2023
Planning for the future is difficult. Our staff helped many families navigate the complex and often confusing world of special education this past year. Read more about it here.
Our Supporting Partner
