Daniel Maor Hochbaum

  • Hosted by Equip for Equality
  • Sponsored by McDermott Will & Emery LLP
  • Service location Chicago, Illinois
  • Law school Loyola University Chicago School of Law
  • Issue area Education/Special Education
  • Fellowship class year 2012
  • Program Design-Your-Own Fellowship

The Project

Daniel advocated for low-income and minority students with learning disabilities in Chicago by providing legal representation, empowering parents with self-advocacy tools, and educating community stakeholders.

According to the Department of Education, nearly 30,000 students in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have learning disabilities, which is more than half of the CPS students with any type of disability. About 89 percent of CPS students with learning disabilities are African-American or Latino. Learning disabled students typically have average to above-average intelligence, but fall behind their grade level in basic skills such as reading, writing, and math. Appropriate legally mandated interventions help them overcome the effects of their disability and achieve success. Unfortunately, CPS often overlooks learning disabled students and fails to provide them with adequate educational interventions. Parents of learning disabled students need legal help to ensure that CPS provides them with the special education services required by law.

Fellowship Highlights

During his Fellowship, Daniel:

  • Provided legal advice and representation to more than 150 learning disabled students and their parents to garner appropriate special education services in reading, writing, and math
  • Ensured that learning disabled students have access to programs utilizing special teaching methods proven to help learning disabled students achieve success
  • Helped ensure that teachers are appropriately trained to serve students with severe reading deficits
  • Fought for appropriate testing to accurately evaluate each student’s needs and abilities
  • Conducted trainings for parents, students, lawyers, and other community stakeholders on meeting the needs of learning disabled students through the law’s protections
  • Developed partnerships with community agencies to share referrals and integrate services

Next Steps

Daniel joined Equip for Equality as a Staff Attorney after his Fellowship and continues to represent learning disabled students in Chicago.

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Annie Kanzow

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Sponsor: The Florida Bar Foundation

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Amelia Huckins

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Sponsor: Friends and Family of Philip M. Stern