Saturday, March 14, 2026
This virtual symposium are for families who have a loved one with Down syndrome and/or Down syndrome and Autism.
Mary Anne Ehlert is a nationally recognized expert in special needs planning. As a Partner of Simplicity Group and Founder of Protected Tomorrows, a Simplicity Group commitment, she leads the organization in providing advocacy, education, and planning support to families with loved ones who have disabilities. She founded Protected Tomorrows more than 35 years ago after her family’s personal journey with special needs planning for her sister Marcia’s future revealed a lack of available resources. She has since dedicated her life to building those resources for others.
Prior to founding the company, Mary Anne spent over two decades in corporate financial services. Today, she speaks at national conferences, hosts educational webinars, and leads virtual training programs for families and caregivers of people with special needs and disabilities. She has served on the boards of several disability-focused organizations, including the National Disability Institute, Special Olympics Illinois, a SEDOL Foundation and Gateway to Learning. She currently serves on the boards of the Special Olympics Illinois Foundation, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, Integrative Touch, and the Tails for Life Advisory Board. Mary Anne resides in Barrington, Illinois with her life partner and her three pups. She is also a proud mother of three stepsons, one who lives independently and shares his life experiences with his peers with disabilities.
In her presentation, The Ins and Outs of Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Account, Mary Anne will discuss Special Needs Trusts, the different types of trusts, and why they are necessary for special needs individuals. She will also be discussing the ABLE Act, which allows tax-free savings and investment accounts for individuals with disabilities and how they can be used for future care planning. In addition, she will share how these trusts and the ABLE Account work together.
Melissa Chalme, M.S. Ed is a special education advocate and IEP coach with a Masters in Education degree from St. Joseph’s University with 14 years of experience as a special education teacher. She was a former multiple disabilities teacher at both the high school and elementary grade levels. Melissa specializes in supporting families of students with complex learning and communication needs and brings both classroom and advocacy perspectives to her work. Through expert IEP coaching and personalized advocacy, every child is supported to receive the services, supports, and modifications needed at school.
In her presentation, IEPs and Advocacy: Helping Families Navigate the Special Education System, Melissa will review the required components of an Individual Education Program (IEP) and discuss how to identify critical areas that are often overlooked, including communication, accommodations, and related services. Her presentation will provide practical guidance to help families better understand the EIP process and advocate for meaningful supports that promote student progress and access to education.
