In the matter of Arons: Construction of the IDEA’s lay advocate provision too narrow?

Lay advocates are prohibited from representing parents and children in d.p. hearings under Arons.  Part III of this article presents new empirical findings related to the supply of attorneys and lay advocates available to represent parents at any cost and at a reduced cost.  Survey was sent to state sped. directors and association of parent advocates.  Some state reps said that lay advocates are specifically authorized to represent parents by their states, two state reps said they are not.  Half of states said that attorneys were widely available when cost was not a factor, but are less available when cost is a factor.  46% of state directors and 74% of parent advocates reported that lay advocates are only sporadically available when attorneys are insufficient.