Do you know your rights when it comes to filing a federal complaint for disability discrimination?
In this powerful Part 1 of our 3-part training, Karen Mayer Cunningham—The Special Education Boss®—walks you through how to effectively file an OCR (Office for Civil Rights) complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

If you’ve ever thought:
👉 “Should I file a federal complaint?”
👉 “What does OCR actually cover?”
👉 “What goes into a successful filing?”
👉 “Can I file as an advocate, or only as a parent?”

Then THIS episode is for you.

Here's what you’ll learn:

• What the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is—and what it’s not
• The difference between an OCR complaint vs. a state complaint
• Who can file: parent, guardian, advocate, or group
• The strict 180-day timeline to file (and why most people miss it)
• What OCR does not investigate (and why knowing this matters)
• Step-by-step walkthrough of the OCR Complaint Assessment System
• What to include (and NOT include) in your complaint narrative
• Sample wording for discrimination, denial of accommodations, and retaliation
• How to request meaningful remedies like training and compensatory time

Whether you're a parent, advocate, educator, or professional, this training will help you sit at the table prepared, informed, and effective.

📍This is Part 1 of a 3-part series. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll unpack what happens after you file—including interviews, investigations, and settlements.

Ready to get trained on all six dispute resolution options?
Join The Academy for over 250+ hours of on-demand training
Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
(As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)

...