Introduction
Related Resources
Special education law is evolving rapidly in 2026. Recent developments — including the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools expanding disability-discrimination protections, ongoing OSEP restructuring, and heightened scrutiny of district compliance— make staying current with the law more critical than ever for educators, administrators, advocates, and attorneys alike.
We have curated nine leading special education law conferences in 2026 that offer expert-led sessions, CLE credit, networking, and practical strategies for navigating IDEA, Section 504, behavior, due process, and policy advocacy. Whether you are a school attorney, special education director, parent advocate, or classroom teacher, there is an event here for you.
1. COPAA 28th Annual Conference
Organized by: Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
Location: Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
Dates: March 5–8, 2026 (just concluded — listed as a reference event)
Audience: Attorneys, parent advocates, and families focused on educational equity and disability rights law
Cost: Check site for details
Link: https://www.copaa.org/page/2026-conference-home
2. NSBA/COSA Spring School Law Seminar
Organized by: National School Boards Association (NSBA) / Council of School Attorneys (COSA)
Location: San Antonio, TX
Dates: April 9–11, 2026
Audience: School attorneys and district counsel; CLE credit available; special education is a core seminar track
Cost: Check site for details
Link: https://www.nsba.org/events/2026-cosa-spring
3. CASE Academy of Law and Leadership
Organized by: Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)
Location: Loews Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, GA
Dates: April 21–23, 2026
Audience: Educators, administrators, and legal professionals navigating IDEA/504 requirements, court rulings, due process outcomes, and state-level complaints
Speakers:
‑ Julie Weatherly, Esq.
‑ Jim Walsh, Esq.
Cost: $545–$865
Link: https://www.casecec.org/academy-of-law-and-leadership
4. LRP’s 47th Annual National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities
Organized by: LRP Publications
Location: New Orleans, LA
Dates: April 26–29, 2026
Audience: School attorneys, special education administrators, hearing officers, and advocates; the gold-standard national special education law conference with 40+ sessions across six tracks: IDEA, Section 504, Behavior, Administration, Ethics/CLE, and Special Ed Connection
Cost: Check site for details
Link: https://www.lrpinstitute.com/
See how Ori Learning’s Transition Program makes compliance easy.
5. Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training
Organized by: Wrightslaw / Pete Wright, Esq.
Locations / Dates:
‑ May 9, 2026 — Virtual
‑ July 7, 2026 — Buffalo, NY
‑ September 17, 2026 — Virtual
Audience: Parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys seeking practical knowledge of IDEA rights and special education law
Cost: Check site for details
Link: https://www.wrightslaw.com/speak/schedule.htm
6. Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS)
Organized by: Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and CASE (co-sponsored)
Location: The Westin Alexandria, Alexandria, VA
Dates: July 19–22, 2026
Audience: Educators, education leaders, and advocates seeking to shape federal special education policy; includes Capitol Hill meetings
Cost: Check site for details
Link: https://specialeducationlegislativesummit.org/
7. SEAS — Special Education Advocacy Summit
Organized by: St. Mary’s University School of Law
Location: St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, TX
Dates: July 22–25, 2026
Audience: Experienced advocates, law students, new attorneys, and attorneys new to special education law; CLE credit available
Cost: Attorneys $990; Advocates $825
Link: https://law.stmarytx.edu/student-services/events/special-education-advocacy-summit/
8. CESD 25th Annual Dyslexia Conference
Organized by: Center for Educational Services and Disabilities (CESD)
Location: DoubleTree Hotel, Austin, TX (hybrid)
Dates: October 12–13, 2026
Audience: Educators, administrators, and advocates focused on dyslexia law compliance, identification, and intervention
Cost: Check site for details
Link: https://www.504idea.org/
9. CESD 30th Annual Section 504 Conference
Organized by: Center for Educational Services and Disabilities (CESD)
Location: DoubleTree Hotel, Austin, TX (hybrid)
Dates: November 16–17, 2026
Audience: School administrators, Section 504 coordinators, attorneys, and advocates; exclusively focused on Section 504 law and compliance
Cost: Check site for details
Link: https://www.504idea.org/
Learn more about Ori Learning’s curriculum for transition-age students.
