March 10, 2011
by Mary Bullwinkel

A group representing the autistic will hold a special educational conference at the River Lodge in Fortuna on March 17. Peter Wright, a nationally recognized attorney, will speak at the event.

A special education conference will take place in Fortuna next month to address the needs of parents, educators, health care providers, advocates, and attorneys who represent children with disabilities.

The conference is being sponsored by Families Advocating Autism Now (FAAN) and will take place on Thursday, March 17, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Conference will focus on four areas:

* special education laws, rights, and responsibilities

* tests and measurements to measure progress and regression

* SMART IEPs (individualized education programs with specific and measureable goals)

* introduction to tactics and strategies for effective advocacy

”This is a huge deal that this kind of event is coming to our area,” said FAAN representative Emily Lewis. “It will be a full-days' training for parents and professionals to come and learn the special education law.”

The conference will feature Virginia attorney Peter Wright. Wright is a nationally recognized attorney whose own school experiences led him to focus his practice exclusively on assisting children with special needs.

The cost to register is $65 for an individual, $80 for a couple, and $175 for professionals (which includes continuing education and continuing legal education credits) $25 will be added to the fees for those who register at the conference.

For details, call Kristin Biernacki at 733-9472, or go to www.wrightslaw.com for online registration.

"Special Education Conference Planned for Fortuna - Focus on Autism and the Law " Humboldt Beacon