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2026-11 WWDSS Fall Mini Conference - Understanding IEPs & Advocating for Your Child
Date:
21st November 2026
Description:
2026-11 WWDSS Fall Mini Conference - Understanding IEPs & Advocating for Your Child
Navigating the school system can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to understand IEPs, IPRCs, accommodations and how to effectively advocate for your child.
Join the Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society for our Fall Mini-Conference, a day designed to give families practical information, tools and strategies to help them feel more confident working with their child's school team.
DATE: Saturday, November 21, 2026
TIME: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
WHERE: St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall 888 Trillium Drive, Kitchener
You must PRE-REGISTER by November 17 to secure your spot.
AGENDA
--------------------------------------
9:00–9:30 am Registration & Child Drop Off
9:30–9:45 am Welcome, Opening Remarks & Icebreaker
9:45–10:15 am My Amazing Life! Self Advocate: Maggie Eichler
10:15–10:30 am Refreshments & Break
10:30–12:30 pm IEPs & School Advocacy with Ed Mahony
12:30–1:30 pm Lunch, provided with registration
📚 IEPs & SCHOOL ADVOCACY
-----------------------------------------
Our main session will be led by Ed Mahony, a veteran Special Education Resource Teacher and independent Parent Advocate.
Ed brings a practical approach to helping families understand the education system and build effective, professional relationships with their school boards.
The session will explore:
• Special education legislation
• What really matters in an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Understanding the IPRC process
• Strategies for productive school meetings
• Navigating day to day realities at school
• Formal avenues including the Special Education Tribunal and the Ontario Human Rights Commission
The goal is to help parents move beyond the procedural red tape and better understand the things that can make a real difference in their child's school experience.
Whether you're new to navigating the school system or have been advocating for your child for years, this is an opportunity to learn, ask questions and leave with practical information you can use.
Space is limited, so be sure to register early.
We know that finding childcare can make it difficult for parents to attend events like this, so childcare and supervised programming will be provided free of charge for registered children.
CHILD CARE AND FIELD TRIPS:
-------------------------------------------
Childcare will be provided free of charge for all children registered:
• For infants and up to 5 years old – Free onsite childcare will be provided by certified ECE workers.
• For ages 6+, a supervised field trip will be provided to FUNVILLA with support by trained workers with full police checks. All entrance fees, lunch plus transportation covered with registration.
Navigating the school system can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to understand IEPs, IPRCs, accommodations and how to effectively advocate for your child.
Join the Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society for our Fall Mini-Conference, a day designed to give families practical information, tools and strategies to help them feel more confident working with their child's school team.
DATE: Saturday, November 21, 2026
TIME: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
WHERE: St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall 888 Trillium Drive, Kitchener
You must PRE-REGISTER by November 17 to secure your spot.
AGENDA
--------------------------------------
9:00–9:30 am Registration & Child Drop Off
9:30–9:45 am Welcome, Opening Remarks & Icebreaker
9:45–10:15 am My Amazing Life! Self Advocate: Maggie Eichler
10:15–10:30 am Refreshments & Break
10:30–12:30 pm IEPs & School Advocacy with Ed Mahony
12:30–1:30 pm Lunch, provided with registration
📚 IEPs & SCHOOL ADVOCACY
-----------------------------------------
Our main session will be led by Ed Mahony, a veteran Special Education Resource Teacher and independent Parent Advocate.
Ed brings a practical approach to helping families understand the education system and build effective, professional relationships with their school boards.
The session will explore:
• Special education legislation
• What really matters in an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Understanding the IPRC process
• Strategies for productive school meetings
• Navigating day to day realities at school
• Formal avenues including the Special Education Tribunal and the Ontario Human Rights Commission
The goal is to help parents move beyond the procedural red tape and better understand the things that can make a real difference in their child's school experience.
Whether you're new to navigating the school system or have been advocating for your child for years, this is an opportunity to learn, ask questions and leave with practical information you can use.
Space is limited, so be sure to register early.
We know that finding childcare can make it difficult for parents to attend events like this, so childcare and supervised programming will be provided free of charge for registered children.
CHILD CARE AND FIELD TRIPS:
-------------------------------------------
Childcare will be provided free of charge for all children registered:
• For infants and up to 5 years old – Free onsite childcare will be provided by certified ECE workers.
• For ages 6+, a supervised field trip will be provided to FUNVILLA with support by trained workers with full police checks. All entrance fees, lunch plus transportation covered with registration.