Supreme Court Hears Heated Disability-Rights Case
In a notable Supreme Court case on disability rights, tensions rose as the justices examined the claims of a teenage girl with a rare form of epilepsy. Her family argues that courts have made it unduly challenging to hold public schools accountable for failing to provide necessary support for students with disabilities.
The girl’s family appealed to the Supreme Court after lower courts dismissed their discrimination case, despite evidence that her school in Minnesota did not adequately accommodate her needs. Roman Martinez, their attorney, expressed concern that the school district’s stance could pose a significant challenge for the disability rights community.
The school district, represented by attorney Lisa Blatt, countered the appeal by insisting their argument had not shifted. She stated, “They are adding words to our mouth. We never said you should have a double regime.”
Justice Neil Gorsuch pressed Blatt on her claims, leading her to retract an allegation that the opposing side had lied. However, she maintained that disability rights cases should be subject to a stricter legal standard.
Some justices expressed skepticism about the district’s position. Justice Amy Coney Barrett described their argument as a “sea change,” questioning whether any lower courts had adopted a similar view.
The Supreme Court is expected to deliver a decision on this important issue by the end of June.
