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Local Family Endures Special Needs Struggle

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Nov 12, 2008 7:00 pm US/Eastern

Local Family Endures Special Needs Struggle

Reporting
Dray Clark
COATESVILLE, Pa. (CBS 3) ― A teen -- and his family -- are waging a fight against a Florida school district while living in the area.

Derek Hughes, 14, is the face of what could be a precedent setting Federal case in Florida.

"Only when Derek's case is heard in a federal court of law and is ruled upon will his case then become a federal precedent," said Bill Hughes, Derek's father.

Derek has autism and epilepsy, and he also does not speak. Two years ago, Bill moved his family from Florida to Coatesville so Derek could attend the Child and Career Development Center.

The Collier County District in Florida refused to provide a nurse at Derek's elementary school and they would not allow him to have a service dog.

"And these seemed likes such obvious things to us as parents that we were appalled when the district refused those services," said Bill.

In 2006, Derek's parents requested a hearing with the district under the American's Disabilities Act, but he said the district leaders never scheduled the hearing.

The Hughes then filed a Federal lawsuit and moved to Pennsylvania. Derek's new school accommodates his service dog and they provide a sign language interpreter.

"There are 500 special needs students in the building. The Hughes family found the center through reputation and research," said Vice Principal, Diane Tallman.

CBS 3 reached out to Collier County School officials, but they would not comment, citing confidentiality and a pending federal lawsuit.

The Hughes' still own a home and business Collier County, but for now, Coatesville is where Derek will continue to learn and grow.

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