Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE) is a United States nonprofit organization founded in 1996 with a mission to educate parents, youth, and the community about the laws governing public education, particularly for children with special needs. The organization is dedicated to empowering families, youth, and communities to advocate effectively for access to appropriate education and health services for children and youth, especially those with disabilities or special educational needs.

History and Mission

AJE was established to increase parental involvement in the education of children with special needs and to address injustices in the delivery of special education services. The organization uses parent empowerment as a model to confront institutional negligence and inappropriate classification of students. It was developed to motivate and educate parents and those who work with them about special education laws and the consequences of failing to provide adequate services.

Programs and Services

Advocates for Justice and Education offers a range of programs aimed at supporting families and youth in the education system:

• Legal Services – Education Access Program: Provides free legal assistance to families concerning special education, school discipline, and educational equity. The program supports students' ability to access appropriate education and advocates against school push-out practices.

• Parent Training and Information Center: Serves as a comprehensive resource and training center offering information on special education laws, disabilities, treatments, interventions, and adaptive technology.

• Parent Ambassador Program (PAP): A cohort-based training initiative that equips parents from various wards to lead systemic advocacy efforts, including mentoring other families, participating in policymaking, and organizing community events. Participants receive stipends based on funding availability.

• Transition Advocacy Project (TAP): Focuses on youth aged 14 to 26 and their families, particularly at-risk and out-of-school youth, providing advocacy, training, and support for involvement in educational planning and school transition services.

• School Discipline Project: Provides legal support and training related to school discipline laws, addressing expulsions and disciplinary removal that affect students' educational access.

Impact

Since its founding, AJE has played a vital role in promoting school accountability and increasing awareness of the legal rights of students with disabilities in Washington, D.C. The organization collaborates with families, educators, and policymakers to ensure that children receive the quality education and comprehensive supports they are entitled to under federal and local laws.

This nonprofit specializes in empowering families and youth through education, legal advocacy, and community engagement to mitigate systemic barriers in the education system, particularly for children with special needs and disabilities.