Webinars

Get the knowledge and tools to walk into the special education process feeling informed, prepared, and empowered to advocate for your child. Whether your child is just beginning the evaluation process or has had an IEP for years, this video is for you.

Rachel Baumann, MA-T, provides parents with a practical guide to understanding special education services, including the IEP and 504 plan process. Drawing on both professional expertise and personal experience, she explains the history and legal foundations of special education while offering actionable strategies to help families confidently advocate for their children.

In this session, you’ll learn:
✅ The differences between IEPs and 504 plans
✅ How the referral and evaluation process works
✅ What to expect during IEP meetings and how parents can participate effectively
✅ The importance of goals, accommodations, and educational supports
✅ The difference between earning a standard diploma and completing high school through an IEP pathway
✅ How educational decisions can impact future opportunities

Whether you’re new to special education or looking to strengthen your advocacy skills, this presentation is designed to help you better understand your rights, navigate the system, and ensure your child receives the support they need to succeed.

Understanding the science behind a rare genetic condition can be overwhelming, especially as research continues to evolve. In this session of our 16p Webinar Series: Bridging the Gaps, Dr. Peter Kannu explores what researchers know today about the 16p11.2 duplication and how having an extra copy of genes in this region may influence development, health, and behavior. We’ll discuss duplication-specific gene pathways, the brain and body systems most commonly affected, and why individuals with the same duplication can have very different strengths, challenges, and life experiences.

This webinar features Dr. Peter Kannu, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Alberta. A medical geneticist with extensive experience caring for children and families affected by rare and complex genetic conditions, Dr. Kannu has dedicated his career to advancing our understanding of genetic variation, developmental conditions, and rare disorders. He brings valuable clinical and research expertise to the discussion of chromosome 16p duplications and the challenges faced by the duplication community.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, self-advocate, clinician, researcher, or educator, this webinar provides an accessible overview of the current science of 16p11.2 duplication and highlights important questions researchers are still working to answer. We are grateful to Dr. Kannu for sharing his knowledge and perspective with our community.

In this powerful session, Dr. Faranak Herrera, founder and CEO of the 16p11.2 Genetic Foundation, takes families inside the science of 16p11.2 deletion and breaks down complex genetics into information that can help us better understand our children and loved ones. Dr. Herrera explains how 16p11.2 deletion can influence brain development, neuroplasticity, movement, communication, learning, and behavior across the individual’s lifespan.

One of the biggest messages from this session is that different does not mean incapable. Understanding what is happening beneath the surface can help families and providers make more informed decisions about support and intervention.

• Knowledge gives families a stronger voice.
• Research gives us better answers.
• Collaboration moves our community forward.

Watch Session 4 and continue learning with us through the 16p Webinar Series: Bridging the Gaps. Together, we’re working toward a future where 16p11.2 knowledge is integrated into medical care, education, and community support.

Join Elise Hallett (Director of Strategic Partnerships & Community Education) for an inspiring conversation about the vision, goals, and impact of the 16p11.2 Genetic Foundation’s Education Department. Learn how we’re developing practical, evidence-based resources that empower families, supporting educators and healthcare professionals, and helping reduce fragmented care through shared knowledge.

During this session, we’ll discuss: why community education is one of the most powerful tools for improving outcomes; the resources being created for families, schools, and clinicians; how shared knowledge leads to better, more coordinated care; ways you can help by reviewing content, providing feedback, supporting translations, and sharing resources; meaningful ways to get involved without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, self-advocate, educator, clinician, researcher, or advocate, your perspective is valuable. Together, we can build resources that truly meet the needs of our community.

Get a detailed walkthrough of the recently redesigned 16p11.2 Genetic Foundation website at 16pfoundation.org. Becky Oslund (Director of Initiatives, Operations & Digital Strategy) outlines Phase 1 features as well as the vision for the continuously evolving site to be a central, trusted hub of information and resources about 16p11.2 genetic conditions. Learn about future enhancements to the site and how you can get involved to support the Foundation.

Meet founder Dr. Franki Herrera as she discusses her personal journey with her son’s 16p11.2 deletion diagnosis and how the experience navigating a rare genetic condition without a clear path led her to create the Foundation. She outlines the common challenges that 16p families face when navigating care and explains how the 16p11.2 Genetic Foundation aims to address these gaps by connecting families, developing clinical care guidelines, and promoting scientific research and collaboration.