Miss-Delectable
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Family alleges E. Meadow schools 'accosted and assaulted' deaf student - Newsday.com
East Meadow school officials "accosted and assaulted" a deaf middle school student and subjected the boy to "bias, bigotry and prejudice," when he tried to bring his service dog to school last month, the boy's family says.
The allegations are outlined in a notice of claim filed this week against the district in State Supreme Court in Nassau County. The notice of claim is the first step in a planned discrimination lawsuit against the district.
The claim is the latest blow in the battle between the family of John Cave Jr., 14, of Westbury, and East Meadow school district officials over the boy's right to bring his assistance dog, Simba, to school. The family believes the teenager and the canine must be together at all times, even in school, so they can bond properly. The youth has attended school even as the controversy continues.
East Meadow officials say Cave has access to resources at W. Tresper Clarke Middle School without the dog. East Meadow Superintendent Robert Dillon did not return a call seeking comment.
The Caves' attorney, Paul Margiotta of Lindenhurst, said Cave is suffering because Simba's training is going to waste.
"He's being denied the use of his service dog ... which is now in danger of becoming a very expensive pet," Margiotta said.
Cave suffered physical and mental distress, loss of education "and other injuries to his body, mind and spirit" when the district blocked him from bringing Simba to school, the claim says. The teen and his family "were humiliated, mocked, interfered with and ridiculed," the claim says.
In the filing, the Cave family accuses district employees of stalking John, his twin sister, Jessica, and their friends. The district failed to provide John with a sign language interpreter for a biology exam, the claim says.
The claim asks damages to be determined by a fact finder or jury.
East Meadow school officials "accosted and assaulted" a deaf middle school student and subjected the boy to "bias, bigotry and prejudice," when he tried to bring his service dog to school last month, the boy's family says.
The allegations are outlined in a notice of claim filed this week against the district in State Supreme Court in Nassau County. The notice of claim is the first step in a planned discrimination lawsuit against the district.
The claim is the latest blow in the battle between the family of John Cave Jr., 14, of Westbury, and East Meadow school district officials over the boy's right to bring his assistance dog, Simba, to school. The family believes the teenager and the canine must be together at all times, even in school, so they can bond properly. The youth has attended school even as the controversy continues.
East Meadow officials say Cave has access to resources at W. Tresper Clarke Middle School without the dog. East Meadow Superintendent Robert Dillon did not return a call seeking comment.
The Caves' attorney, Paul Margiotta of Lindenhurst, said Cave is suffering because Simba's training is going to waste.
"He's being denied the use of his service dog ... which is now in danger of becoming a very expensive pet," Margiotta said.
Cave suffered physical and mental distress, loss of education "and other injuries to his body, mind and spirit" when the district blocked him from bringing Simba to school, the claim says. The teen and his family "were humiliated, mocked, interfered with and ridiculed," the claim says.
In the filing, the Cave family accuses district employees of stalking John, his twin sister, Jessica, and their friends. The district failed to provide John with a sign language interpreter for a biology exam, the claim says.
The claim asks damages to be determined by a fact finder or jury.