Spieler v. Mt. Diablo Unified School District

The Spieler v. Mt. Diablo Consent Decree negotiated in 2000, represents the most sweeping school access settlement to date under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Consent Decree created equal access to school buildings, educational programs, and social programs. Mt. Diablo School District has committed $20 million over ten years to ensure equal access for its 5,000 students with disabilities at 55 school sites, enabling all students with disabilities in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District to attend their neighborhood schools. The Consent Decree reformed the District’s special education system, with policies supporting the integration of disabled children into all educational and social programs. As a result of the settlement, Mt. Diablo Unified School District created three new programs to benefit disabled students: a Model Augmentative Communication Program for children who need assistive technology, a Model Aide Training Program to train classroom aides to assist children with disabilities, and a full-time Parent Liaison to assist parents to navigate the special educational system.