About Mediation & Facilitation
 About Philip Crump (resume)
 Divorce & Family Mediation
 Employment & Workplace
 Construction & Commercial
 Special Education/Disability
 Facilitation & Group Processes

 Mediation "levels the playing field" for those who have special needs.

Philip Crump, Mediator

2200 Fort Union Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505


(505) 989-8558

Ask for information!
philip at pcmediate.com


About Disability & Special Education Mediation

People with disabilities have certain rights under federal and state statutes, especially the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). How these rights are honored can become a source of dispute between disabled persons (or their advocates) and employers, school systems or private organizations.

DISABILITY:
The general rule for disabled persons at work or using privately owned public facilities is that they must be afforded "reasonable accommodation" to their disabilities. Exactly what this means is often the crux of the difficulty. Mediation allows people to decide what they need and what's available to meet those needs.

People with disabilities who feel they have been discriminated against can contact the US Department of Justice to press their claims; cases may be referred to mediation at no cost to either the complainant or the responding party. Please refer to the Resources sheet indicated below for contact information. I provide this mediation service through the auspices of the Key Bridge Foundation of Washington DC, as well as in private settings.

SPECIAL EDUCATION:
In the field of Special Education, there is often disagreement between parents who want the best for their children and schools or districts who also want the children to succeed, while facing budget constraints.

In New Mexico, mediation is available—at no cost to the parents or the district—after a request for Due Process Hearing has been made, but before the hearing has taken place. I have received focused training in mediating Special Education disputes for the New Mexico Public Education Department under this program. This mediation provides an opportunity for parents, teachers and district staff to air their concerns and reach resolution of issues before the more expensive and drawn-out hearing process. It also enables the parties to restore the relationships that are often damaged in the complaint process. I also provide mediation services privately for schools and districts that wish to avoid Due Process Hearings.

For information about Special Education in New Mexico, please refer to the website of the state’s Special Education Office or call them at 827-1457. Look for additional information under the link to Dispute Resolution at the left side of the web page.


IEP FACILITATION
The New Mexico Public Education Department has provided training for me and a few others to facilitate Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs), especially when the parties anticipate stumbling blocks in emotion or communication. The goal is to develop more complete and effective IEPs that focus on the best interests of the child rather than the conflict between parents and school. More information is available in the Facilitated IEP Meeting Fact Sheet produced by the Special Ed office.

Contact me for free consultation! 

Links and resource information:

 Disability Resources for New Mexicans
 Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Ed (link)
 Parents Reaching Out (link)
 Mediation in Special Education (brochure .pdf)
 Preparing for your Special Education Mediation (brochure .pdf)
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