A Houston school district, New Caney ISD, has said that 5-year-old LaKay Roberts can no longer use her walker at school. LaKay has cerebral palsy and has been using the walker for 3 years. She attends Kings Manor Elementary School in Houston. A few weeks ago, LaKay's mother, Kristi Roberts, was informed that her daughter can no longer bring her walker to school by the district's special education director, Gary Lemley.
     While the school district -- and, obviously, LaKay's parents -- have concerns about her safety, the walker is a piece of equipment -- a reasonable accommodation -- that LaKay clearly needs and has a right to under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The school district should be working in conjunction with LaKay's parents, teachers and therapists to figure out how best to accommodate her disabilities and that does not mean taking away her walker.

We, the undersigned, demand that LaKay Roberts be allowed to use her walker in New Caney ISD public schools and programs. 
New Caney ISD has said that 5-year-old LaKay can no longer use her walker at school. LaKay has cerebral palsy and has been using the walker for 3 years. She attends Kings Manor Elementary School in Houston. A few weeks ago, LaKay's mother, Kristi Roberts, was informed that her daughter can no longer bring her walker to school by the district's special education director, Gary Lemley.
While the school district (and, obviously, LaKay's parents) have concerns about her safety, the walker is a piece of equipment -- a reasonable accommodation -- that LaKay clearly needs and has a right to under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The school district should be working in conjunction with LaKay's parents, teachers and therapists to figure out how best to accommodate her disabilities and that does not mean taking away her walker. 
Not allowing LaKay to use the walk is a violation of her civil rights. The ban on her using her walker must be removed immediately.