Law Office of Ellen Saideman

02/13/2026

In my special education practice, many of my cases involve complicated issues with the school districts disputing either the facts or the law or both or just arguing that they’re doing the bare minimum required by federal and state law. But every once in a while I get a case where the law and the facts are crystal clear and the school districts is in blatant violation of the law, and sometimes I’m able to resolve those cases with a phone call or email to my opposing counsel. And it is so sad that parents have struggled, sometimes for months and sometimes children have gone without school for months, when all it takes is for the school district to know the parent has legal representation for the case to be resolved.

01/27/2026

I have a case currently in the federal district court of Rhode Island on behalf of a student with a mobility impairment who has encountered architectural barriers, including the lack of accessible routes and the failure to maintain accessible parking, at the University of Rhode Island. I’m interested in interviewing any current students who are encountering similar problems this semester as well as any eleventh and twelfth graders with mobility impairments who are considering attending the University of Rhode Island. You can email me at [email protected]. Thank you.

12/06/2025

I find it very distressing that 35 years after the ADA was passed that URI did not promptly act to provide program access so my client could continue in her Ph. D program

A disabled PhD student at the University of Rhode Island (URI) has filed a federal lawsuit alleging the university violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - and her civil rights.