Welcome to the Virginia Council for Exceptional Children!

The Virginia Council for Exceptional Children (VACEC) hosts our state-level conference annually, and is scheduled for November 4-6, 2026.

Our annual conference is a premier professional development event that serves a diverse community of education professionals and stakeholders committed to improving outcomes for students with exceptionalities. This annual gathering typically attracts a wide range of participants, including higher education professionals such as adjunct professors, full-time faculty members, and lecturers from colleges and universities across the state. The conference also draws K-12 special education teachers from various grade levels, early childhood educators specializing in early intervention and inclusive practices, and educational researchers advancing the field through evidence-based studies.

In addition to classroom educators, the conference welcomes school psychologists who provide critical assessment and intervention services, elementary and middle school administrators responsible for implementing special education programming, and both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in education and related fields. Parents of students with disabilities are encouraged to attend, as their perspectives and advocacy efforts are invaluable to the educational community. Special education researchers contribute cutting-edge findings and innovative practices, while representatives from state education agencies share policy updates and regulatory guidance that impact service delivery across Virginia.

As a not-for-profit organization, the Virginia CEC relies on partnerships and sponsorships to support our mission of enhancing educational opportunities for individuals with exceptionalities. We actively engage with corporate partners, educational publishers, technology providers, and community organizations that share our commitment to exceptional education. Sponsorship opportunities provide valuable visibility to our engaged audience while directly supporting conference programming, scholarship opportunities, and professional development initiatives. You can find our sponsorship listing on our website under the resources tab, which outlines the various sponsorship levels, benefits, and opportunities available for the 2026 conference.

Thank you for supporting the Virginia CEC Annual Conference!

Typically, the Virginia CEC state-level conference attracts higher education professionals, including adjunct professors, full-time professors, lecturers, K-12 special education teachers, early childhood educators and researchers, school psychologists, elementary/middle school administrators, undergraduate and graduate education students, parents of students with disabilities, special education researchers, and representatives from state education agencies. As a not-for-profit, we engage in sponsorships. You can find our sponsorship listing on our website under the resources tab.