Wayne Steedman, Esq.
Mr. Steedman's practice is devoted primarily to the representation of children with disabilities. He has represented his clients in administrative due process hearings and state and federal courts.
In addition to a law degree from the University of Maryland, Mr. Steedman has a Masters Degree in Social Work. For several years, he served as a Due Process Hearing Officer in special education cases. He is an active member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).
Mr. Steedman is the author of “Advocating for Services: Legal Issues Confronting Parents and Guardians” in Growing Up with Autism: Working with School-Age Children and Adolescents by Robin L. Gabriels and Dina E. Hill (Editors), published by The Guilford Press (2007). He has written many articles about special education law and advocacy including:
- Will Supreme Court Side with Parents in Winkelman v. Parma?
- 10 Tips: How to Use IDEA 2004 to Improve Your Child's Special Education Program
- Independent Educational Evaluations: What? How? Why? Who Pays?
- How to Request a One-to-One for Your Child
- Going on a Discovery Mission Behind "Enemy Lines" (Guest Column)
Wayne and Pete Wright have worked together since Wayne's successful decision in Gerstmyer v. Howard County Public Schools. In Gerstmyer, the Judge found that a Montessori School was the appropriate placement for a child with dyslexia, a language learning disability. Read about this case in Parents of Dyslexic Child Reimbursed for Tuition at Montessori School.
Wrightslaw Speakers Bureau
As a member of the Wrightslaw Speakers Bureau, Mr. Steedman provides training for parents, educators, advocate, attorneys, and others who want to ensure that children receive quality special education services.
Wrightslaw special education law & advocacy programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, educators, health care providers, advocates, and attorneys who represent children with disabilities.
Recent Programs
- Chicago, IL - May 2009 - IDEA 2004 & NCLB
- Indianapolis, IN - September 18, 2009 - IDEA 2004 & NCLB
- Waterbury, CT - January 14, 2009 - IDEA 2004 and NCLB: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You!
sponsored by the Learning Disabilities Association of Connecticut, Inc.
- SOLD OUT - Broomfield (Boulder Area), CO - September 25, 2008 - Special Education Law &
Advocacy Training sponsored by the Autism Society of Boulder County.
- SOLD OUT - Greater Toledo/Lucas County, OH - October 12-13: Special Education Law and
Advocacy Boot Camp sponsored by The Arc of Lucas County, Autism Society of NW Ohio, Family Information Network of NW Ohio, Lucas County Board of MR/DD, The Ability Center of Greater Toledo, Ohio Support Team, Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council.
- Cortland, NY -June 22 - Special Education Law and Advocacy Training sponsored by Resources &
Advocacy for Inclusion.
- Baltimore, MD - June 5 - Private Training.
- Greater Knoxville, TN - IDEA 2004 & NCLB: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You! sponsored by the
Autism Society of America - East Tennessee Chapter.
- Richmond, VA - Partners in Policy Making (private training).
- Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Special Education Law & Advocacy Bootcamp sponsored by the Unicorn
Children's Foundation.
- Champaign, IL - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training sponsored by the C-U Autism Network.
- Wheeling, WV - What You Don't Know About IDEA & NCLB CAN Hurt You! sponsored by the Augusta
Levy Learning Center.
- Stevensville, MI - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training sponsored by Autism in Berrien
County Speaks.
- Austin, TX - Special Education Law & Advocacy Training sponsored by Texas Parent to Parent.
- Tallahasee, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, FL - What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You! sponsored by
the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC).
- Rochester, NY - Special Ed Law & Advocacy Training sponsored by Greater Rochester S.A.F.E.
(Schools Are For Everyone).
- Annapolis, MD - What You Don't Know About IDEA 2004 CAN Hurt You! sponsored by Psychological
Resource Associates, The Learning Network and Anne Arundel Community College.
- Duluth, GA - Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Training Program sponsored by the
Autism Society of George.
- Phoenix, AZ - Wrightslaw Special Ed Law & Advocacy Training Program with co-presenters Pat
Howey, Pete Wright, and Pam Wright at the Eighth Annual Conference of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.
- Richmond VA - Partners in Policymaking (closed to the public).
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