Resources
You don’t need a lawyer to start understanding your rights. These are the organizations we point families, students, and educators toward most often.
Cedar Law is available to help you understand your educational rights. If you want someone to review your student’s IEP or 504 plan, or you’re concerned about how a school is handling bullying, harassment, discipline, or any other issue, we can help — advising you behind the scenes, or representing you directly with the school district, college, or university.
If you have a PTA/PTSA or community group whose parents or students want to learn more about advocating for themselves, we provide trainings.
We also encourage you to explore the resources below. This is not an exhaustive list — it’s the set we think is most useful for becoming an informed advocate for yourself or your student.
Legal resources
Agencies that enforce education and civil rights law, and organizations that publish plain-language guidance about them.
ACLU of Washington — Know Your Rights
Free guides on student rights, free speech and protest, police in schools, and truancy. The collection is updated regularly, so start at the Know Your Rights hub and filter by issue.
Legal Voice
Gender-justice legal advocacy across the Northwest, including self-help materials on sexual harassment and assault in schools and on campus, and guidance on holding a school accountable.
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
OCR enforces Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504. Useful starting points: how to file an OCR complaint, Section 504 and students with disabilities, the Office of Special Education Programs, and what the federal civil rights laws cover.
TeamChild
Free legal representation and advice for low-income youth in Washington — getting back into school, securing housing and healthcare, and accessing other public support. Their work measurably reduces juvenile court involvement.
Washington State Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)
A free, neutral state office that helps resolve disputes between families and Washington public schools: bullying and harassment, suspensions and expulsions, special education, enrollment, transportation, discipline, academic progress, truancy, and transitions.
Washington State Human Rights Commission
Administers and enforces the Washington Law Against Discrimination, and investigates violations of state anti-discrimination law.
Washington State Attorney General’s Office
The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division investigates discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit and insurance, and at government offices and public businesses. See also their Civil Rights Resource Guide (PDF).
Community and support resources
Advocacy organizations, peer support, and programs serving students and families directly.
The Arc of Washington State
Advocates for the full participation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their Parent to Parent network connects families with a trained parent who has been through something similar, in every county in the state. See also their full list of programs.
Disability Rights Washington
Washington’s protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, focused on dignity, equality, and self-determination. Their education resources cover school-related rights for children and youth.
GLSEN
A national education organization working to make schools safe for LGBTQ+ students. They publish research and classroom resources, and the Washington chapter runs workshops around the state.
El Centro de la Raza
A hub of the Latino/a/x community in Seattle with a longstanding civil rights commitment, including child and youth programs.
King County Trans Resource & Referral Guide
A community tool for trans and gender-nonconforming people, their families, and health and human service providers, created by an all-trans working group. Disponible en español. Note that the guide dates from 2017; verify current contact details before relying on a listing.
NAACP — Seattle King County
The local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Nationally, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund litigates on political, educational, social, and economic equality — including educational equity.
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
The state agency overseeing Washington’s public schools. Their School Safety Center covers harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB), and they maintain the list of current nonpublic agencies (NPAs) that districts can contract with when they cannot meet a student’s special education needs.
The Seattle PlayGarden
A fully fenced, fully accessible garden in Seattle offering preschool, summer camp, young adult programming, and open play for children of all abilities.
Washington Autism Alliance
Bridges the gap between the health and education systems serving people with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. Their Blueprints to Special Education walks families through the IEP process and how to make sure a plan actually addresses a student’s needs.
Disclaimer
Information provided on this website is for general information purposes and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Legal advice cannot be provided without full consideration of all relevant information relating to an individual situation. Cedar Law LLP does not control and is not responsible for the content of the external sites linked above.
Still not sure where to start?
Tell us what’s happening and we’ll point you to the right next step — whether that’s one of these organizations or us.