The Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) is the oldest and largest volunteer legal services organization in Maryland. MVLS removes barriers to justice through free civil legal help, community engagement and advocacy for a fair legal system. As of July 1, 2024, the Maryland General Assembly authorized funding for MVLS to administer the Special Education Project through a partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education.
The Special Education Project will:
- Provide Maryland families with representation—access to attorneys, advocates and consultants—to assist with navigating special education matters
- Ensure that students with disabilities receive the special education and related services they are entitled to
- Provide training to—and create educational materials for—participants in the project
To qualify for representation by the Special Education Project, a student must have a disability, and their parent or guardian must have a household income at or below 150% of MVLS’s income guidelines. Additionally, there must be at least one documented attempt to resolve the disagreement with the public agency. Each eligible student may receive representation, advocacy or consultation services valued at up to $20,000 within their educational lifetime through the project, contingent on the availability of funding. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the governor of Maryland will be required to include $1 million annually in the state budget to sustain the project.
The Special Education Project marks a significant step toward improving access to education by ensuring that qualifying families have the tools and representation they need to advocate effectively for their children’s special education rights. Visit the MVLS website for more information.