Your journey is not a straight line. And that is okay.
🔧 We are improving how Awareverse is organised. Some pages may have moved. Ask if you cannot find something.
This month we're markingADHD Awareness Month · Selective Mutism Awareness Month · Down Syndrome Awareness Month · Sensory Processing Awareness Month · and more · Black History Month (UK)Explore our guides →
Need to tell someone something? Worried about a child or adult? 💜 Talk to us 🚨 Crisis help
💜
USA practical tools

USA Letters & Checklists

Practical starting points for IEPs, Section 504, Medicaid, SSI, college, employment and housing. State forms and deadlines still control where a formal filing is required.

Templates are starting points. Replace every bracketed section, keep the facts accurate, and check any deadline in the actual decision notice or current official guidance before sending.
USA

IDEA evaluation request

Use when: asking a public school to evaluate a child for special education

Subject: Written request for special education evaluation for [student]

I am requesting a comprehensive evaluation under IDEA because I suspect [student] may have a disability and may need special education and related services.

Areas of concern include: [learning/communication/attention/behavior/sensory/motor/social-emotional/other].

Examples of educational impact: [detail].

Please treat this as a formal written request, tell me the consent process and applicable state timeline, and provide Prior Written Notice if the district refuses to evaluate.
Download text
USA

IEP meeting request

Use when: asking the IEP team to meet about implementation, needs or changes

Subject: Request for IEP team meeting for [student]

I am requesting an IEP team meeting to discuss: [concerns].

I would like the team to review:
• current data and progress
• whether services/accommodations are being implemented
• [evaluation or new need]
• [goal/service/support change requested]

Please provide proposed dates and let me know how I can submit parent concerns and documents for the team to consider.
Download text
USA

Prior Written Notice request

Use when: asking the school to document a proposal or refusal

Subject: Request for Prior Written Notice — [student]

At the meeting/on [date], I requested [request] and the district [refused/proposed] [decision].

Please provide Prior Written Notice that explains the action proposed or refused, why the district made that decision, the evaluations/records relied on, options considered and rejected, and other relevant factors.

Please also provide a copy of the procedural safeguards if required.
Download text
USA

Section 504 evaluation/accommodation request

Use when: requesting disability evaluation and accommodations under Section 504

Subject: Section 504 evaluation/accommodation request for [student]

I am requesting evaluation under Section 504 because [student] has or may have an impairment that substantially limits [major life activity].

School impact includes: [detail].

Accommodations/support I would like considered: [list].

Please explain the district's Section 504 evaluation process, safeguards and how I will receive the decision in writing.
Download text
USA

Education records request

Use when: requesting education records relevant to a dispute or review

Subject: Request to inspect and obtain education records for [student]

I am requesting access to education records relating to [student], including records relevant to evaluations, eligibility, IEP/504 implementation, discipline, attendance, communications, service logs and progress data for [date range].

Please confirm the process for inspection/copies and any lawful copying cost. If any requested record is withheld, please identify the basis.
Download text
USA

IDEA state complaint preparation letter

Use when: organising issues before using the state complaint process

IDEA state complaint preparation — [student]

Public agency: [district/agency]
Violation(s) alleged: [specific IDEA requirement or IEP provision]
What happened: [facts with dates]
Evidence: [documents]
Educational impact: [detail]
Requested corrective action: [service, implementation, training, compensatory remedy, other]

Before filing, check the current state complaint form, required elements, filing address/portal, service requirements and deadline on the state education agency website.
Download text
USA

Restraint/seclusion incident evidence request

Use when: documenting an incident and requesting records

Subject: Request for records and written information following restraint/seclusion incident involving [student]

I understand an incident occurred on [date/time]. Please provide the records available under applicable law/policy, including:
• incident report and parent notice
• staff involved and roles
• duration/type of intervention
• precipitating events and de-escalation attempts
• injury/medical information
• relevant video or other records, if maintained
• follow-up/debrief and any plan changes

Please also identify the district policy and state rule relied upon.
Download text
USA

Medicaid appeal/fair hearing request

Use when: protecting appeal rights after a Medicaid denial or reduction

Subject: Appeal / fair hearing request — Medicaid decision dated [date]

I am appealing the decision dated [date] concerning [service/eligibility].

I disagree because: [specific reason].
Evidence: [list].

Please treat this as a timely appeal request, confirm the hearing/review route and deadline, and tell me whether continued benefits/services are available while the appeal is pending and what I must do to request them.
Download text
USA

SSI child evidence cover sheet

Use when: organising functional evidence for an SSI application or appeal

SSI child evidence summary for [child]

Diagnoses/conditions: [list]
Functional areas affected: [detail]
For each affected area:
• what the child can/cannot do
• how this compares with same-age peers
• help, prompting or supervision needed
• frequency and severity
• real examples

Evidence attached: [school records, IEP/504, medical records, therapy, questionnaires, other].
Download text
USA

College disability accommodations request

Use when: contacting a college disability/access office

Subject: Request for disability accommodations — [student ID]

I am requesting accommodations because [disability/condition] substantially limits [activity].

Barriers in the college setting include: [detail].
Accommodations requested: [list].
Documentation available: [list].

Please tell me the documentation standard, interactive process and how to appeal or request reconsideration if an accommodation is denied.
Download text
USA

ADA workplace accommodation request

Use when: asking an employer for a reasonable accommodation

Subject: Request for reasonable accommodation

I am requesting a workplace accommodation related to a disability/medical condition. The work-related limitation is: [functional limitation].

Accommodation(s) I would like considered: [list].
These would help by: [explain].

I am available to discuss effective alternatives through the interactive process. Please let me know what documentation, if any, is needed.
Download text
USA

Fair housing accommodation request

Use when: asking for a disability-related housing accommodation

Subject: Reasonable accommodation request related to disability

I am requesting an exception/change to [rule, policy, practice or service] because it is necessary for me/[household member] to have equal use and enjoyment of the housing.

Requested accommodation: [detail].
Disability-related need: [functional connection].

Please respond in writing and let me know if reliable disability-related information is required to evaluate the request.
Download text