How to Navigate Special Education in NYC Public Schools

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Live Webinar

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST

New York State Association of Neuropsychology (NYSAN) presents a live webinar with Janyll Canals-Kernizan, JD & Diana Aragundi, JD

About the Presenter

Janyll Canals-Kernizan is the Director of the Robin Hood Project at Advocates for Children of New York (AFC). AFC’s Robin Hood Project partners with roughly 20 organizations funded by the Robin Hood Foundation that support New York City families in a variety of essential ways, including, for example, hospital-based services and organizations providing shelter services for survivors of domestic violence. As Director, Ms. Canals-Kernizan supervises the Robin Hood Project staff, provides legal representation to families experiencing school-related difficulties, conducts trainings and workshops on a variety of education-related issues and provides ongoing technical assistance to partnering agencies. The Project advocates for students experiencing school-based discrimination related to literacy, immigration status, housing status, language dominance, learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral needs, and inappropriate school services, supports, and placements. Prior to serving as Director, Ms. Canals was a staff attorney on the Robin Hood Project for several years. Prior to joining AFC, Janyll served as an Educational Opportunities Project (EOP) Legal Fellow with Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, DC. Janyll graduated cum laude from Tufts University with a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish and earned her J.D cum laude from American University Washington College of Law.
 
Diana Aragundi is the Assistant Director of the Immigrant Students' Rights Project at Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), where she works with immigrant students and families on a variety of school related issues. Ms. Aragundi represents immigrant students and parents in special education administrative hearings, helps parents enroll their children in effective English Language Learner (ELL) programs, and assists older immigrant youth in finding appropriate school placements. Prior to joining AFC, Ms. Aragundi was a trial attorney at the Children's Law Center, representing children in custody, guardianship, family offense, and neglect proceedings. Ms. Aragundi earned her B.A. degree from New York University and her J.D. from The City University of New York’s School of Law (CUNY Law). Ms. Aragundi is an adjunct professor at CUNY Law where she teaches a course on special education and the law. Ms. Aragundi also serves as co-chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Education and the Law Committee.

CE Credits: 1.0 CE credit (APA/NYSED) available. Completion of an evaluation is required in order to receive credit.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn: 

• Describe the laws that govern special education in NYC and explain how to obtain special education services in NYC.
• Identify and describe the types of evaluations, supports, and services to which students with disabilities are entitled.
• Demonstrate effective strategies to advocate for students with disabilities throughout the special education process.
• Prepare and write advocacy-focused reports that support students with disabilities.
• Participate in and critique advocacy approaches used during special education meetings.
• Analyze common barriers families face when seeking special education services and propose solutions to resolve them.

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