The Supreme Court just changed the rules for disabled students, unanimously. Here's what every parent and school needs to know.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO
- Why the Supreme Court's 9-0 ruling in A.J.T. v. Osseo matters
- What the old "bad faith" standard was and why it was unfair
- What "deliberate indifference" means for students now
- How this ruling affects school districts and IEP/504 plans
- What disability rights advocates are pushing for next
- How this case fits a growing trend of stronger student protections
A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools (2025) is a landmark Supreme Court decision that levels the playing field for students with disabilities. The case centered on Ava, a student with severe epilepsy whose school refused to provide evening instruction to accommodate her condition. When her family pursued ADA and Section 504 claims for monetary damages, lower courts dismissed them — demanding proof of "bad faith or gross misjudgment," a standard no other disability discrimination plaintiff faced.
The Supreme Court unanimously struck that standard down, replacing it with the same "deliberate indifference" test applied in workplaces and public accommodations. Schools can no longer dismiss accommodation requests carelessly without legal risk. Documentation, individualized review, and staff training are now essential. For students and families, the path to justice just got significantly clearer.
Learn more about A.J.T. v. Osseo by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/06/a-j-t-v-osseo/
