Staff Testimonials

“The legislature has discussed eliminating the use of seclusion in Minnesota schools for years, but this is the first time the public can see, through our investigative authority, the dramatic differences between seclusion rooms — stark, empty, locked rooms — and calming rooms: warm/low-light spaces with toys and games to help children destress.”

– Supervising Attorney in Youth Services & Education Jessica Heiser

“Our Protection & Advocacy team visited 80 of the 194 registered seclusion rooms in Minnesota. What we came away with is the most comprehensive review of seclusion rooms that anyone has ever undertaken, to our knowledge. MDLC will continue its work monitoring seclusion rooms in educational settings to further document the impact seclusion has on students with disabilities in Minnesota.”

-Supervising Attorney in Monitoring & Investigations and interim Deputy Director Eren Sutherland

“I am grateful to our Disability Law Center for this critical project. For the first time ever, the public and Legislature can view dozens of Minnesota’s seclusion rooms, which are typically cloaked in secrecy and school district shame.”

-Staff Attorney at the Legal Services Advocacy Project Jessica Webster