Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Conference
Virtual | September 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM ET - Save the Date
Live Spanish Interpretation Available
Learn the Law. Strengthen Your Advocacy. Improve Student Outcomes.
Navigating special education can feel overwhelming, whether you are a parent advocating for your child or a professional responsible for ensuring compliance and meaningful progress. The Wrightslaw Conference provides clear, practical guidance on how to understand the law, use data effectively, and advocate with confidence.
This full-day virtual conference will cover:
- Special education law
- Tests and measurements
- Writing and understanding SMART IEPs
- Effective advocacy tactics that lead to results
- Live Zoom access + three Wrightslaw books + digital materials
Participants will leave with concrete tools they can apply immediately in IEP meetings, evaluations, and collaborative planning conversations.
Early Bird tickets available now!
• Full price: $180 for families, $240 for professionals
• Your discounted price: $165 for families, $225 for professionals
About Pete Wright
Pete Wright is a nationally recognized special education attorney and co-founder of Wrightslaw, one of the most trusted resources in the country for special education law and advocacy.
For decades, Pete has represented children with disabilities and their families in complex special education cases. His work has helped shape how parents, advocates, and professionals across the country understand IDEA, Section 504, evaluations, and procedural safeguards.
What sets Pete apart is not just his legal expertise, it’s his ability to translate complicated legal language into clear, usable strategies. He teaches families and professionals how to:
- Think strategically
- Use data and documentation effectively
- Understand what the law actually requires (and what it doesn’t)
- Build stronger cases grounded in evidence
His trainings are known for being practical, empowering, and immediately applicable.
Why This Conference Matters for Parents
Parents are equal members of the IEP team, but too often they are not given the information or tools to participate fully and confidently.
This conference helps parents:
- Understand their child’s legal rights under IDEA
- Interpret evaluation reports and test scores
- Ensure IEP goals are measurable and meaningful
- Communicate more effectively with school teams
- Advocate strategically rather than emotionally
When parents understand both the law and the data, they move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling prepared.
Why This Conference Matters for Professionals
Strong special education systems are built on clarity, compliance, and collaboration.
For educators, administrators, and service providers, this training offers:
- A deeper understanding of legal requirements
- Practical guidance on writing defensible, measurable IEPs
- Insight into how families interpret school decisions
- Strategies for preventing conflict through transparency and data-driven practices
When professionals understand the advocacy perspective, collaboration improves, and student outcomes follow.
Our Partnership with The Parents’ Place of Maryland (PPMD)
We are proud to partner with The Parents’ Place of Maryland (PPMD) for the second year to bring the Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Conference to families and professionals.
As Maryland’s Parent Training and Information Center, PPMD provides trusted guidance and training to families navigating special education and related systems. Together, we are committed to equipping families with clear, accurate information about their rights while supporting professionals in strengthening legally sound, collaborative practices.
By offering this conference virtually with live Spanish interpretation, we are expanding access to high-quality advocacy education and removing barriers for families across the region.
Join Us
Whether you are new to special education or have years of experience, this conference will strengthen your understanding of the law and sharpen your advocacy skills.
