Candace Cortiella has provided training and advocacy services for families of students with disabilities, worked as a government affairs associate for a leading learning disabilities group, and directed an award winning Web site providing information and resources on learning disabilities.

She serves on the board of directors of Virginia's Center for Special Education Advocacy, the professional advisory boards of Smart Kids with LD and the National Center for Learning Disabilities and the Reserach-to-Practice Advisory Panel of the National Center on Educational Outcomes.

As Director at The Advocacy Institute, Mrs. Cortiella can provide:

• Research and exclusive materials on federal education laws, such as the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004).
  
• Workshops that teach basic and advanced advocacy skills for parents and special education advocates.
  
• Expertise in the areas of specific learning disabilities, response-to-intervention, assessment and accommodations, high-stakes testing and much more.
  
• Expertise in developing and adapting materials to communicate with parents.

Candace brings her personal experience as the parent of a young adult with learning disabilities to her work as an advocate and consultant.