The special education process is like building a house. There is a logical order to both. Blueprints to Special Education is a training workshop presented by special education attorneys who explain how to use the building blocks of the federal and state laws to develop appropriate services for your learner.
Each September and March, join our state's most prominent special education attorneys to learn how best to support your learner.
*Registrants will receive the Zoom link one day before the workshop
Join our state's most prominent special education attorneys to better understand your child's special education program and your rights. This training workshop will be held via Zoom webinar.
Meet our presenters:
David Weafer, Weafer Education Law
David is the lead counsel of a Western Washington special education law firm, and an attorney with over 10 years of experience fighting for the educational and civil rights of people with disabilities. In private practice he has helped clients obtain access to new services, private school placements, and compensatory education. Prior to practice in Washington, he worked for the non-profit advocacy organization Disability Rights California, practicing state level legal representation and advocacy including enforcement of educational rights violations, helping review and draft legislation, and providing training to disability advocacy groups.
David is motivated to defend the right of every family and student...
David is the lead counsel of a Western Washington special education law firm, and an attorney with over 10 years of experience fighting for the educational and civil rights of people with disabilities. In private practice he has helped clients obtain access to new services, private school placements, and compensatory education. Prior to practice in Washington, he worked for the non-profit advocacy organization Disability Rights California, practicing state level legal representation and advocacy including enforcement of educational rights violations, helping review and draft legislation, and providing training to disability advocacy groups.
David is motivated to defend the right of every family and student to access a fair and appropriate education. This work has included oversight and accountability for schools that leave students behind and for government agencies that fail to provide schools with the resources to teach students who qualify for special education. David has helped students who have been left years behind grade level obtain the support needed to access an equal education. This support includes advocacy on behalf of students to change their classroom and environment and, when needed, litigation to force compliance with the law and changes to District policies.
Time spent in the classroom without appropriate support can never be fully made up, and each student deserves to be seen as an individual and given access to the tools they need to succeed in school. Knowing what rights and options are available is crucial for every student and their family, but this must be coupled with the ability to enforce those rights in the face of ignorance, opposition or bureaucratic inertia. Sharing and exercising the tools of justice that protect students' rights, builds a fairer system for all.
Alex brings years of experience working with students to his work at Cedar Law PLLC. Alex graduated from the University of Washington School of Law, where he worked in the Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic representing homeless and low-income children in the dependency system. During law school, Alex also interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Civil Rights Division, and with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, enforcing civil rights laws that protect students from discrimination.
Alex brings years of experience working with students to his work at Cedar Law PLLC. Alex graduated from the University of Washington School of Law, where he worked in the Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic representing homeless and low-income children in the dependency system. During law school, Alex also interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Civil Rights Division, and with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, enforcing civil rights laws that protect students from discrimination. Prior to law school, Alex was a high school science teacher and soccer coach in Arizona, where he led the freshman science curriculum team at his school. He also co-taught junior-level special education classes, where he worked collaboratively with special education teachers, students, and their parents to help students succeed in the classroom. Alex graduated from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. He is licensed in both Washington and Oregon.
Nicholle Mineiro has devoted her practice to securing the rights of students with disabilities. She once sat at the IEP table as a public school educator and a parent, and brings that experience and compassion to her work today. She zealously advocates for children and youth rights in court, and is a trusted guide for families seeking better special education services. Nicholle also serves the community working towards education public policy and legislative reform in Washington state, as well as training attorneys, parents and community members to advocate for the education rights of children and youth.
Alex brings years of experience working with students to his work at Cedar Law PLLC. Alex graduated from the University of Washington School of Law, where he worked in the Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic representing homeless and low-income children in the dependency system. During law school, Alex also interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Civil Rights Division, and with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, enforcing civil rights laws that protect students from discrimination. Prior to law school, Alex was a high school science teacher and soccer coach in Arizona, where he led the freshman science curriculum team at his school. He also co-taught junior-level special education classes, where he worked collaboratively with special education teachers, students, and their parents to help students succeed in the classroom. Alex graduated from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. He is licensed in both Washington and Oregon.
Mary is a lawyer who focuses exclusively on the education of students with disabilities ages 3-21 in the State of Washington. She is a 2017 graduate of Seattle University Law School. Over the past decade, her tireless advocacy as a parent and attorney has included serving as President of the Seattle Special Education PTSA, Special Education Attorney at Washington Autism Alliance...
Mary is a lawyer who focuses exclusively on the education of students with disabilities ages 3-21 in the State of Washington. She is a 2017 graduate of Seattle University Law School. Over the past decade, her tireless advocacy as a parent and attorney has included serving as President of the Seattle Special Education PTSA, Special Education Attorney at Washington Autism Alliance (WAA), and as a member of the Seattle Superintendent’s Special Education Advocacy and Advisory Committee. She is a member of the national Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) and Attorneys for Education Rights (AFER). She has advocated at local and state levels to promote inclusionary practices and to limit the use of restraint and isolation as well as exclusionary discipline. Prior to law school, Mary obtained a Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Washington and worked as a nurse practitioner for a local medical practice. She has presented many times on aspects of Special Education Law to parents and guardians.
9:00 - 9:15 am, Welcome message and overview of online resources and self help tools
9:15 -10:15 am, Session I Instructional Arrangements, Supplementary Aids & Services presenter: David Weafer, Weafer Law
10:15 - 10:30 am, mid-morning break
10:30 - 11:30 am, Session II Placement: LRE, Private Schools and NPAs presenter: Alex Hagel, Cedar Law
11:30 am - 12:00 pm, lunch break
12:00 - 1:00 pm, Session III Student Discipline: Restraint & Isolation, Suspension & Expulsion, and Manifestation Hearings presenter: Nicholle Mineiro, Mineiro Law PLLC
1:00 - 1:15 pm, afternoon break
1:15 - 2:15 pm, Session IV Resolving Differences: Disputes and Available Remedies presenter: Mary Griffin, Northwest Justice Project (NJP)
2:15 - 2:30 pm, Survey, closing comments.
2:30 pm, Adjourn
Accommodations and Interpretation Services
Interpretation has closed for the October 12th Blueprints to Special Education workshop. Please notify us of any accommodation requests in advance of the workshop.
