At Wanzenberg and Associates, we interpret IDEA, ADA, and applicable provisions of Section 504 as humanistic documents that seek to provide fundamental access to an individual’s presumptive right to a normalized and inclusive experience.

Our services are grounded in a firm understanding of congressional intent, current state and federal code, district policy, and supporting special education case law.  We are keen to constantly reflect on the needs of the individual child and how this relates to a family’s vision for that individual.

We believe that families of children with special needs maintain the passion and commitment needed to advocate for their IEP rights.  However, our professional experience suggests that parents often require more preparation, training, and support to meaningfully participate in the educational processes

As established leaders in schools, our staff recognize that every team benefits from effective internal advocates who seek to fully implement the spirit and language of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

We know that these laws provide a viable model for families to pursue self-determination in the special educational process. Our external advocacy services are provided to assist families in developing a sustainable model of self-advocacy. 

The need for external advocacy arises when special education services are not "accessible, available, appropriate, and/or, effectively provided (Schloss, 1994)."

Moreover, the need for external advocacy emerges when the concerns of family or child are marginalized, suppressed, or ignored.

Our family empowerment model addresses:

1. Parent training in special education rules and rights: Applying the “rules of the game” is often the most important skill to master in the IEP setting.  We can supplement your understanding of your child’s rights with down to earth and practical explanations of terms, timelines, and modes of dispute resolution.  We assist families of students with disabilities in navigating complex local, state, and federal entitlement systems.

2. Perspective blending in complex school systems: With decades of experience in several school systems as LEAs and local district representatives, our advocacy team can strengthen the efforts of your child’s multi-disciplinary teams. Moreover, Dr. Wanzenberg and his staff are trained to examine (a.) competing priorities within schools which may be adverse to your interests as a parent, (b.) conflicts with a school’s resource allocation, and (c.) compliance dilemmas that may adversely impact how your child is served in special education.

3. Child-centered collaboration with staff and specialists: It is very easy for IEP teams to get lost in the process of special education and lose sight of the child behind the plan.  When needed, we assist the family in reattaching the “ground wire to the faulty circuit.” We train parents to capitalize on a team’s strengths in a supportive and manner, but are also prepared to critique and problem solve dilemmas as they arise.

4. Development of self-advocacy skills for family and individual:  It is an imperative that goals and an action plans are based on what schools know about your child, but also how that data informs practicable outcomes for our clients. We place a high priority on generalization of independent skills to the adult world where supports and services vary greatly from the k-12 school experience.

5.  A clear plan for a family’s self-determination in the educational process: The professionals at Wanzenberg and Associates will learn about your concerns, your experiences, and assist you in developing a plan that provides for the optimal level of independence for your child. This plan includes how to effectively employ your rights (including the limitations of those rights) and accessing important legal and financial resources throughout systems.

6. Situational advocacy:  Different situations call for different types of advocacy. Knowing how and when to apply various advocacy skills is critical in the process of IEP negotiating.  We assist families in understanding which advocacy palette to choose from and how to prioritize your concerns in an effective manner.

7. Dynamic communication:  The value of our services is best revealed by the high degree of communication with all stakeholders in the support process. Where directed with authorized consent, we seek to communicate with third parties who maintain unique understanding of a student’s profile.

8. Long-term planning for student independence: Every service we provide supports the ethic to provide for an independent learner. We focus intensively on transitions between grade level, placements, and --ultimately-- to the community.