Soar to new advocacy heights in Washington, D.C.! We are excited to announce the application to attend PWSA | USA’s 2nd D.C. Fly-In, which will take place May 13 – 15, 2024, is now available. Find important disclaimer information by scrolling below, including what expenses PWSA | USA will be covering.
This year’s event hotel will be the YOTEL Washington DC. During the Fly-In, we will learn about Policy affecting the PWS community, hear from policy makers, and continue our advocacy efforts by coming together on May 15th for a “Day on the Hill” to celebrate National PWS Awareness Day!
This time around, we look forward to welcoming 100 participants to join together in Washington, D.C. Those selected to attend the Fly-In will be determined on a first-come-first-served basis. Click the button below to download the application, which is due to PWSA | USA no later than Monday, April 22, 2024. Spots will fill up FAST, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible! If you have any questions, please contact us at advocacy@pwsausa.org.
2024 D.C. Fly-In Disclaimer Information
Attendees will be chosen on a first-come-first-served basis. Applicants who have not attended PWSA | USA’s in-person events will receive priority. Applicants who are active members of PWSA | USA’s Advocacy Committee will receive priority. Because this is a grant funded event, it is essential that all attendees are actively engaged and participate in all areas of the D.C. Fly-In. By completing and signing the D.C. Fly-In application, you agree to participate in all event activities. By not participating in all activities, attendees may be disqualified from participating in future PWSA | USA volunteer and/or advocacy events where costs are covered by PWSA | USA.
By signing and submitting the application, you acknowledge that you will be responsible for the cost of your own airfare and also be required to make your own travel arrangements. Furthermore, you acknowledge that PWSA | USA has secured a block of rooms for Fly-In participants at YOTEL Washington DC (415 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington D.C., 20001) and PWSA | USA will cover the cost at our selected hotel for up to three nights. Each attendee will be assigned a roommate (you can specify a preferred roommate in your application). If you prefer to have a room to yourself or plan to bring additional family members to stay in your room, there will be a $150 per night surcharge. Once approved, participants will receive an email with additional registration details.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.