Oklahoma parent of special-needs child sues district over playground conditions, alleging violations of ADA requirements

Edmond Public Schools in Oklahoma has been sued over the playground in its pre-kindergarten inclusion program at Will Rogers Elementary School.

“Some new temporary equipment showed up, like some Legos and a stepping stone, just some yard equipment essentially,” Ciara Ghajar, a parent of three children with special needs, told Griffin’s KWTV News 9 this month.

Ghajar said she had filed a federal civil rights claim Aug. 15 against the school, arguing the playground fails to meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

“I brought up the issue that please don’t place this equipment before you make it flat, because then it’s still not ADA compliant, and they didn’t do that before they put the equipment in.” 

Ghajar’s son attends the pre-kindergarten program, which has drawn criticism from other parents over the playground’s lot. 

“The area that they enclosed was somewhat inclined,” explained Jodi Tillman, “which is not conducive for any of our kiddos that are in wheelchairs or using adaptive equipment.” 

The school may face additional lawsuits from families of children with special needs, the news outlet noted. 

“An attorney for Mrs. Anissa Angier-Dunn said she advocated for the upgrades but was forced to step down,” wrote Elizabeth Fitz for News 9. “She is now taking steps toward a lawsuit.” 

The district has planned playground updates for some time, although “nothing has been finalized,” Fitz added. 

Meanwhile, Ghajar said she wanted the lawsuit to galvanize the district into action. 

“My hope is that Will Rogers will get the proper support that it needs; that they will bring everything beyond ADA compliance – since that’s the bare minimum, and truly practice what they preach about an inclusive education.” 

The district enrolled nearly 26,000 students in 2024. 

Rising criticism over special education services in public schools 

Public schools nationwide have come under fire for inadequate special education services – including failures to meet therapy requirements, address bullying and provide a supportive environment. 

In one example, Denver Public Schools was found to have affected over 1,000 students with disabilities after a complaint filed with the Colorado Department of Education concerning a nonverbal 6-year-old boy. 

One parent, Danella Pochman, told the school board she had been forced to take her son out of school just for speech therapy services. 

“I don’t think that feels right to me,” she said. “I think he deserves to have that training, that communication education, within his kindergarten classroom.” 

Meanwhile, another child was unable to continue speech services at his preschool after the speech therapist left and wasn’t replaced, according to Karen Burton. 

“I am disturbed that I have had to go to so much work to get any communication from the district,” she said, “about their plans and responsibilities to meet my son’s needs.”