YMCA Prevails in Landmark Case
On Tuesday, May 2, 2017 the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the YMCA in the case of Matina Koester, et al v. Young Men’s Christian Assoc. and upheld the Y’s use of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for purposes of evaluating the level of accommodation necessary to provide inclusion services to children with disabilities, the first case of its kind in the United States.
This landmark decision both vindicated the YMCA’s procedures for operating its summer camps (which have provided inclusive services to thousands of children with disabilities) and also established workable guidelines for all organizations dedicated to the inclusion of children.
The YMCA was represented by Andy Martone, Abby Schwab and Pam Dixon.