Jack Sabatino.

Advocacy groups for disabled schoolchildren and their parents may soon be allowed access to redacted reports of settlements with and programs made available to other disabled children, according to a New Jersey appeals court decision Monday.

In a published ruling involving a series of consolidated cases from around the state, a three-judge Appellate Division panel said allowing such access to advocacy groups, researchers and parents of disabled children may lead to improved services for those students.

The lawsuits were filed by individual parents and the Montclair-based Innisfree Foundation, which advocates on behalf of disabled and special needs students.