Disclaimer
Please read this carefully. It governs your use of SENTINEL·IEP.
What SENTINEL·IEP is
SENTINEL·IEP is a software tool that helps parents prepare for and participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It uses artificial intelligence to summarize documents, flag statements that may relate to federal special-education law, and produce informational reports for the user's own reference and decision-making.
What SENTINEL·IEP is NOT
- Not a lawyer. The author is not licensed to practice law in any jurisdiction. SENTINEL·IEP does not represent you in any legal capacity.
- Not a substitute for legal counsel. If you are facing a complaint, hearing, mediation, or any decision with legal consequences, you should consult a licensed special-education attorney in your state.
- Not a substitute for an advocate. A human advocate brings judgment, context, and relational skill that software cannot replicate.
- Not a guarantee of accuracy. AI models can produce confident-sounding output that is incorrect. Verify every claim against the underlying documents before relying on it.
- Not a determination of violations. Compliance determinations are made by state and federal agencies, courts, and administrative tribunals — not by software.
State law varies
IDEA establishes a federal floor for special education law. Many timelines, eligibility rules, procedural rights, and remedies are governed by your state's statutes and regulations — not by federal law. SENTINEL·IEP is built around federal IDEA but cannot account for every state-specific rule. Where state law applies, consult a licensed attorney or your state's Parent Training and Information Center.
Recording laws vary
Recording-consent laws differ significantly by state. Roughly 38 states permit one-party consent (the person recording is enough); roughly 12 states require all-party consent (every meeting participant must agree). Recording without proper consent can carry civil and in some cases criminal penalties.
SENTINEL·IEP requires you to acknowledge your state's recording law before any audio capture begins. You are responsible for compliance with your state's law. The plain-language summaries presented in the app are informational only and do not substitute for current statutory text.
No warranty
SENTINEL·IEP is provided "as is," without warranty of any kind, express or implied. The author makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author disclaims all liability for any damages arising from your use of, or inability to use, SENTINEL·IEP.
AI output limitations
Outputs from large language models can be subtly or substantially incorrect. They can fabricate citations, misstate the holdings of cases, misattribute documents, and miss obvious violations a human reviewer would catch. Treat every finding as a starting point for further investigation, not a settled conclusion.
Your responsibility
Before taking any action with legal consequences — including filing a state complaint, refusing services, signing an IEP under protest, or initiating due process — you should:
- Verify the underlying facts against your child's actual records;
- Consult a licensed special-education attorney in your state;
- Consult your state's Parent Training and Information Center (find yours at parentcenterhub.org);
- Consider contacting your state Disability Rights organization for free legal assistance if you cannot afford an attorney.
Contact
Questions about this disclaimer or about SENTINEL·IEP's intended scope? Contact us.