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Information for Families of Students with Disabilities - July 31, 2026

Special Education Parent Involvement Survey for the 2025-26 School Year

All parents of school-aged children and youth with disabilities who receive special education services in Virginia are requested to complete the VDOE annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey. The survey will remain open through December 11, 2026. Please complete one survey for each of your children currently receiving special education services through the 2025-26 school year. Special Education Parent Involvement Surveys are also available in six additional languages:

• Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey - English
• Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey - Spanish
• Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey-Amharic
• Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey-Arabic
• Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey-Urdu
• Printable version of the Special Education Parent Involvement Survey-Vietnamese

If you have questions regarding this survey, please contact Dr. Chiquita Seaborne, Family Engagement Specialist/Special Projects Coordinator, via email at Chiquita.Seaborne@doe.virginia.gov, or via telephone at 804-418-4672.

Training Opportunities Provided by PEATC and the VDOE

PEATC, in collaboration with the VDOE, is providing the following virtual training opportunities for families and professionals. You may begin any of the self-paced trainings at any point during the open period. 

• IEP University: August 3-August 24, 2026
  IEPU is a self-paced online training with easy-to-understand guidance on the special education process, the IEP document, and ways to develop collaborative relationships among school and families. A certificate of completion for six hours will be provided for all who complete the training. 

• Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Self-Paced Training: August 3-August 24, 2026
  This online self-paced training will help SEAC members and other interested participants understand the role of the Special Education Advisory Committee in Virginia and build a more efficient and effective advisory committee. A certificate of completion will be provided for all who complete the training. 

• Building Strong Parent Advocates: August 3-August 24, 2026
  This training provides information to help families build a solid foundation to understand the special education process while empowering them to be their child's best advocate.  

• Virtual Family Engagement Summit: August 22, 2026, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  This free live virtual event connects parents, caregivers, educators, and community partners who share a common goal: helping students with disabilities thrive in school and in life. Participants will hear from inspiring speakers, learn strategies for building stronger home-school partnerships, explore resources and supports, and engage in meaningful conversations. 

Sensory Disabilities Family Summit The Virginia Educational Hub for Sensory Disabilities is excited to welcome families and children/youth (birth - 21 years old) who are blind/vision impaired, deaf/hard of hearing, and/or deafblind to the Virginia Sensory Disabilities Family Summit. Spend the day with us getting crafty! We will have self-paced sensory art activity stations for all ages. A "Glow Room" with music, black lights, and balloons for dancing, movement, and interactive play will be available. Families can also find time to connect with other families, as well as the Ed Hub for Sensory Disabilities.  When: Sunday, August 30, 2026, from noon - 4 p.m.  Where: Art Place Factory & Party Place, 4810 Market Square Lane, Midlothian, Virginia 23112 Cost: This event is free, but registration is required.

Stronger Together: Fostering Connections in Our Autism Community Join us on Monday, August 10, 2026, from 6 - 7p.m. for a practical virtual session on creating personalized tools to help your child navigate transitions, build confidence, and thrive in the new school year. Register for the VCU Autism Center for Excellence Stronger Together Virtual Series Session Four, Back to School: Creating Visuals, Routines, and Schedules. This session is perfect for families of autistic children at any age or stage. Bring your questions and ideas! For more information, contact Noel Woolard at woolardn@vcu.edu.