Presentations at Pacific Northwest Institute on Special Education and the Law

During October 5-7, 2009, firm partner Darcy L. Kriha will make presentations on "Special Education 101", "The Building Principal and Special Education", and "Students with Allergies and Chemical Sensitivities" at the 26th Annual Pacific Northwest Institute on Special Education and the Law, an overview of selected legal issues affecting Special Education administration and practices.

The Institute features nine pre-Institute mini-courses providing an in-depth view of special education law applicable in public schools, one pre-Institute seminar providing two CLE credit hours in ethics, sixteen unique workshops discussing the pressing issues found in special education today, and four general sessions featuring respected experts addressing timely issues.

Founded in 1984, originally as a Washington State Institute, this regionally based conference on special education law serves educators and attorneys from sister states in the Pacific Northwest and attracts attendees from throughout the nation. Parents and parent advocates are also encouraged to attend.

The primary mission of the Institute is to keep practitioners aware of congressional amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and recent court cases interpreting the Act. Most faculty are nationally prominent acknowledged school or Plaintiff attorneys with active practices in IDEA litigation. The Institute also addresses Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 1983 and 1985 of the Civil Rights Act, No Child Left Behind Act, and other federal and state laws affecting the operation and management of special education programs in public schools.

This conference is presented by the the University of Washington College of Education and is managed by UW Educational Outreach. For questions, you may contact Mary Jane Shirakawa at (206)221-3936 or via e-mail, slawd@u.washington.edu.