ACTION ALERT: Fight Inappropriate Restraint - Free Zakh Price!
From: Ari Ne'eman
President of Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Hello,
In the past, we've written to you about advocacy issues relating to the rights of adults and youth on the autism spectrum. Our voices have made a difference on all manner of policy concerns and have sent a clear message that those who seek to deprive Autistic people of any age of their rights will have our community to answer to. Now we'd like to ask you to help us take action to help protect an 11-year old Autistic boy in Arkansas named Zakhqurey Price, currently being charged with felony assault after fighting back when two staff members restrained him in response to behavioral challenges. The school has ignored repeated efforts from Zakh's grandmother over the course of the last five months to obtain needed IEP supports to improve his educational options and manage his behavioral difficulties.
According to the suspension notice, the restraint was in response to Zakh destroying school property - something beyond the scope of what would be allowed under recently introduced federal civil rights legislation around restraint and seclusion in schools. Disability advocates, including ASAN, are fighting to pass this crucial legislation that would broaden the protections available to students like Zakh as well as those with other disabilities and with no disability at all. We have asked for your help in passing this important legislation, and together we can succeed in bringing proposed civil rights protections into law - but not in time to help Zakh. That is why we need you to take action now. Find out how below:
School Principal:
Pam Siebenmorgan (One of the charging parties in Zakh's felony hearing - polite but firm calls and e-mails encouraging her to drop the charges would be helpful)
Phone: 479-646-0834
E-mail: psiebenm@fortsmithschools.org
School Superintendent:
Dr. Benny Gooden (The Superintendent runs the entire school district - polite but firm calls and e-mails communicating how this situation is damaging Fort Smith Public Schools' reputation would be helpful as well)
E-mail: bgooden@fortsmithschools.org
School Board Office: 1-479-785-2501 Ext. 1201
We recommend that you both e-mail and call if you can. If necessary, e-mail is the preferable option. If you would like your e-mails to be passed along to Zakh's grandmother, please bcc info@autisticadvocacy.org. Please stress the importance of Fort Smith Public Schools taking the following steps:
-Drop the charges against Zakhqurey Price
-Work with his grandmother to put in place an IEP that will fulfill Zakh's right for a Free and Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment
-Improve training for school personnel to prevent future such incidents and to ensure that students on the autism spectrum as well as with other disabilities are included, supported and educated in Fort Smith Public Schools.
If Zakh is declared incompetent as part of the hearing scheduled for January 12th, state law requires that he be placed into a mental hospital for at least 30 days. Carole's grandmother fears that, due to the negative repercussions of being taken out of the community and being forced into an institutional setting, Zakh may lose skills in such an environment and not be returned to her indefinitely. That is why we need you to act now. Please distribute and repost this action alert. Thank you for your time and your advocacy, and as always, Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
(202) 596-1056
It is a PLOY to get him permanently removed from the district and shirk they financial responsibility for his services. That is what they did 3 yrs ago, and what they are doing all over again.l
The injuries the teachers had when they cornered him in his quiet area and tried to restriaint him AFTER HE WAS CALMED...
Principal got kicked in leg ONE TIME; Teacher got pushed where she in her own words states "She fell into the bookcase" (Not he pushed her into it).
No one missed work, no hospital, no doctor etc.
May i post this information to some Mindfreedom? I think they would be intrested even though it is not strictly a "mental illness " issue. The use of a psychiatric facility to deal with school problems seems like something they might be able to ge on board with. You might talk to th ACLU about this. To deny a child an education, to charge him with a felony and and place him in a mental institution seems pretty extreme.
If they don't get on board they are ways to raise funds for legal representation though many places have non profit legal aides who maight be willing to deal with a school board. anything where there is litigation may make them change their minds.
The UN also has a civli rights agncy. Too lat tonight but tommorw i can go searchin g through my websites for the info you might need.
Prosecuting a disabled child is not a good move for them. this could backfire on them badly.
I am willing to email tomorrow when i'm a human being again. had three meltdowns today (one while alone) Really all out but i would ike your permission to get the info out outside this forum.
nora
Yes, feel free to post it far and wide, Nora.
Hi. I'm new here. News about his case is spreading fast on facebook and in the Southern California autism community. Friends and I have been writing emails, as suggested. What a horrifying case!
There are current updates on Zakh's case in the comments section on our Homepage. The article is:
Round Table Discussion
Zakhquery Price and the Danger of Incarcerating Our Youth
Written by Amy Caraballo, AWN Contributing Writer
Does anyone know just how an 11-year-old was able to be charged with a felony?
I can't even begin to comprehend or even understand how anyone could charge a kid with a felony, regardless of what happened (except in rare cases, obviously, but that's not the point).
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. Its not." - The Lorax by Dr. Seuss