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If you are like us, you haven't completed your federal income taxes yet. Before you file, we urge you to read 2005 Tax Benefits by Mike O'Connor, Esq. We think you'll find interesting information - and some surprises - in this guide. 1. 2005 Tax Benefits for Parents of Children with Disabilities by Michael O'Connor, Esq. If you have a child with a disability - a severe learning disability (SLD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), AD/HD, or other physical, mental or emotional impairment - you may qualify for valuable tax benefits. According to parent attorney Mike O'Connor, "It’s likely that 15-30 percent of families with a disabled child have one or more unclaimed tax benefits." Did you know that "tuition costs for a special school that has a program designed to educate children with disabilities and amounts paid for a child’s tutoring by a teacher specially trained and qualified to deal with severe disabilities may be deducted"? Did you know that "Special instruction or training or therapy, such as sign language instruction, speech therapy, and remedial reading instruction" may be deductible? Did you know that related books and materials can qualify for the medical expense deduction"? Did you know that "Parents who attend conferences to obtain medical information concerning treatment for and care of their child may deduct some of the costs of attending a medical conference relating to a dependent’s chronic health condition"? 2. Wrightslaw Boot Camp in Boot Camp in Lancaster, PA (April 7-8, 2006) A Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Boot Camp will be held in Lancaster, PA on April 7-8, 2006. What is a Wrightslaw Boot Camp really like? Ella Schwartz provides a first person account in The Wright Stuff: Parents Earn Their Legalese Stripes at the Wrightslaw Boot Camp (Spectrum magazine, Spring 2005). Program Description Participants will learn about changes in IDEA 2004 including: * New requirements for initial evaluations, reevaluations & parental consent * New requirements for IEPs, IEP goals, IEP teams, IEP meetings * New eligibility issues for students with specific learning disabilities * New procedural requirements and timelines, including the “Due Process Complaint Notice” and “Resolution (IEP) Session.” Participants will learn about requirements in No Child Left Behind including: * Reading and research based instruction * Highly qualified teachers * Parental rights and options * High stakes testing Participants will also learn how to: * Use tests and measurements to measure progress * Write SMART IEPs * Use tactics and strategies for effective advocacy This program is designed to meet the needs of parents, educators, health care providers, advocates, and attorneys who represent children with disabilities regarding special education, and is not disability specific. Conference Flyer l Click to register "I had a wonderful time - the presentation was incredibly informative ... and FUN! Time just flew by." - Stella, parent advocate 3. Registration Your registration fee includes two books, Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004 and Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy, second Edition (retail value: $35), lunch on Friday (lunch on Saturday is on your own), snacks and drinks each day. Fees "The Wrightslaw Special Education Law Seminar was a tremendously rewarding experience and will forever change our practice." - Bryan I. Eder, Esq., Chudnof & Eder, PL 4. Logistics: Directions, Airport, Accommodations The Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Boot Camp will be held at the Lancaster Bible College, 901 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA 17608. Get directions from MapQuest. Traveling to Lancaster? About 20% of participants at Wrightslaw programs travel from other states. The conference location is approximately 20 miles from Harrisburg International Airport (HIA). Airport Info l Car Rental & Transportation l Maps & Directions l Hotels "Your boot camp was the most useful CLE I've ever attended. CLEs are notoriously boring and unpleasant. Your program was neither and I learned a lot, even as an experienced practitioner in the field." - Rob Mead, Esq., KU Wheat Law Library 5. Coming Soon! Programs in Mass, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware May 11: Springfield, MA - Special Ed Law & Advocacy Training. Speakers: Pete and Pam Wright. May 17: Rochester, NY - Special Ed Law & Advocacy Training sponsored by Greater Rochester SAFE. Speakers: Wayne Steedman and Pat Howey. 6. Subscription & Contact Info The Special Ed Advocate is a free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy issues, cases, and tactics and strategies. Newsletter subscribers also receive "alerts" about new cases, events, and special offers on Wrightslaw books. Subscribe Contact Info Pete
and Pam Wright |
