2026 CASE Conference

Beyond the Plan: A Leadership Blueprint for Equitable 504 Implementation and Sustainable Inclusion (Room Waterplace Ballroom III (Omni))

13 Nov 26
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Tracks: Advancing Equity: Practices for All Learners

Speaker(s): Marlene Phillip-Magee, Director of Special Education, Orange County Public Schools; Vanessa Padilla, Program Administrator , Orange County Public Schools; Victoria Singh, Senior Administrator, Orange County Public Schools

In the rapidly evolving landscape of 2026, special education leaders face a dual challenge: skyrocketing Section 504 referrals and a heightened federal focus on digital and instructional equity. Too often, 504 plans are viewed through the narrow lens of "compliance-only," leading to inconsistent implementation and widening achievement gaps for students with learning disabilities. This interactive, 60-minute session provides an innovative, action-oriented framework for transforming Section 504 from a paperwork requirement into a tool for systemic equity. We will move beyond the "list of accommodations" to explore a Strategic Equity Audit—a leadership method for identifying disproportionate patterns in referrals and resource allocation. Participants will leave with a "Leader’s Transition Toolkit," including a 90-day roadmap to align 504 practices with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the 2026 federal digital accessibility standards. This session is specifically designed for administrators looking to reduce "Section 504 Burnout" while ensuring every student receives the substantive access the law intended.