Manhattan, Washington Market School – Parents Jennifer Sample, 43, and Eliot Ferguson, 40, claim that Washington Market School rescinded their son’s admission after he was diagnosed with autism. They were told by enrollment director Rachael Macchiesi that there son ‘would not be a good fit’.
The parents have now filed a lawsuit against the school on grounds of discrimination.
Jennifer Sample said:
“It was disgusting the way they spoke to us and the way they treated a child who was not even 3 years old,”
The New York Daily News website reports that Jennifer fell in love with the private school and was overjoyed in February when her son gained a place in its preschool program for September.
The school have boasted famous parents like filmmaker Spike Lee and fashion designer Nicole Miller.
The parents say that the school booted their son, referred to as “O.F.” the very same day it hosted autism activist Temple Grandin as a speaker.
Jennifer said:
“They pride themselves on diversity and inclusion but follow an exact opposite policy,”
The lawsuit seeks a court order forcing Washington Market to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The lawsuit states:
“Defendants are likely to continue to discriminate against and victimize other applicants to Washington Market’s preschool program who have an ‘official’ diagnosis on the autism spectrum, but who would be suitable candidates for admission with reasonable accommodations,” it adds.
The lawsuit names the school, Rachael Macchiesi and head of school Ronnie Moskowitz as defendants.
The original article by Daniel Beekman in The New York Daily News can be read here. The CCN report can be viewed below.