By Jacqueline Smith
Lawrenceville, NJ – The challenges facing New Jersey students with disabilities as they transition from student to adult life got a major boost recently by a $20,000 donation to ASAH from Hinkle, Fingles, & Prior, P.C., a multi-state law firm focused on serving people with disabilities and their families. “We’re very pleased to partner with ASAH in a project designed to promote and enhance effective transition from school to adult life,” said law firm partner S. Paul Prior, Esq.
“The law firm of Hinkle, Fingles and Prior has done great work helping families of people with disabilities to secure their rights under the law and plan for a successful future in the face of daunting challenges,” said Gerald Thiers, Executive Director of ASAH, adding, “Today’s announcement means we can do more to help schools and families ensure positive outcomes for all students with disabilities.”
ASAH is a statewide non-profit organization representing private schools and agencies in New Jersey which provide highly specialized services to more than 11,000 infants, children and young adults with disabilities.
In addition to the $20,000 donation, Hinkle, Fingles & Prior will sponsor a scholarship for a graduate of an ASAH member school during each of the next two years. The firm also pledges to be more actively involved in ASAH’s work, providing specialized clinics to review with parents the detailed Individual Education Plan (IEP) developed by their child’s school district, reaching out to ASAH members on their needs for advocacy-related support, as well as producing and promoting special advocacy videos.
Called the Transition Initiative with ASAH, the Hinkle, Fingles & Prior program also includes: informational articles for every issue of ASAH’s Parent’s Connection quarterly newsletter, presentations for families at ASAH member schools, webinars for families, to be hosted by ASAH, and free reprints of the acclaimed ASAH Guide to Transition.
With a focus on the needs of students, ASAH works to foster partnerships between its members, local school districts and local communities. “We know that these collaborations not only enhance the quality of education programs, they ensure that students with disabilities are served in the least restrictive setting, and have the greatest chance of returning students to public school settings,” explained Thiers. Since 1974, ASAH has served private special education schools and agencies in New Jersey, ensuring the highest standards of service excellence for students and youth with disabilities. www.asah.org
Hinkle, Fingles, & Prior, P.C. is a multi-state law practice with offices in Lawrenceville, Cherry Hill, Florham Park, and Paramus, New Jersey and Plymouth Meeting and Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. The firm’s partners and associates lecture and write frequently on topics of elder law, estate planning, special needs trusts, guardianship, special education, health care insurance & Medicaid, and accessing adult services, and are available to speak to groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania at no charge. For more information, visit www.hinkle1.com or call (609) 896-4200, or (215) 860-2100.

