ACCOMMODATING SPECIAL NEEDS

Accommodations for clients with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders

During the past few decades a tremendous amount has been learned concerning the special needs of children and adults with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorders. This new perspective is expressed, for example, in the obligation that schools now have in appropriate cases to provide specialized accommodations to help students participate fully and successfully in their classes.

In our mediation office, we apply this same helpful perspective to working with clients who have learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorders. There are two key accommodations that we provide. First, we take the initiative in helping clients to stay organized as they go through the mediation process. For example, we provide clients with a tabbed loose-leaf notebook during the orientation session, to make it easier for clients to keep track of the paperwork (financial disclosure document, etc.) that accumulates during mediation. Second, we are attentive to different learning styles, asking clients how they learn best—visually, through hearing things explained, kinesthetically, etc.—and making it our business to communicate in a manner that responds to these needs and preferences.

In addition, we have helped many separating and divorcing couples to develop parenting plans for children with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorders. In this process it is helpful for the mediator to have familiarity with the challenges that parents of special-needs children face, as well as with the terminology of learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders.

John, together with his wife Judith Glasser, Ph.D. (a clinical psychologist specializing in therapeutic and educational testing), has presented professional trainings on addressing learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders in mediation, both at an international conference held in Vancouver, BC Canada in 2008 and locally in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Donna earned a Bachelor of Science degree in special education from the University of Michigan and has extensive experience working with special needs children.

Accommodations for clients with mobility disabilities
Our office building is wheelchair accessible from the street and from the lower levels of the parking garage. After entering the garage, continue straight instead of turning towards visitor parking. Push the blue button at the gate and park in a designated spot. Take the elevator to the second floor for Suite 200.