Creating a Special Needs Financial Plan

Key Points on Special Needs Financial Planning

• Financial planning for individuals with special needs in complex, involving elements like housing, healthcare, disability, aging, trustees, and more
• Professional education in special needs planning is essential for financial professionals seeking to engage with this community
• The College and its Center for Special Needs seek to improve outcomes for all caregivers, individuals, and professionals through greater education on speical needs planning

As an institution, we continue to expand our leadership in special needs planning education through the work of the American College Center for Special Needs, bringing together professionals from across the country to address some of the most complex challenges facing individuals with disabilities and their families. That leadership was evident at the 2026 Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium, held May 7–8 in Orlando, Florida.  

The event attracted 93 registrants from across the country, reflecting the growing demand for advanced education in a rapidly evolving area of financial planning. Financial advisors, attorneys, trustees, advocates, and other professionals gathered to deepen their expertise, exchange ideas, and strengthen the interdisciplinary relationships essential to effective special needs planning.

Common Challenges With Financial Planning for Special Needs

The symposium featured a keynote presentation and eight advanced educational sessions focused on practical planning strategies and real-world challenges. Topics included preserving public benefits while supporting employment, creating sustainable housing solutions, navigating policy and advocacy issues, correcting flawed estate plans, preparing future caregivers, strengthening trustee relationships, and understanding benefits available to disabled veterans and their families.

This year’s event opened with a keynote address from Haley Moss, Esq., an autistic attorney, author, and nationally recognized advocate for disability inclusion and neurodiversity. Her presentation challenged attendees to rethink assumptions about disability while highlighting the opportunities that inclusive workplaces create for individuals and organizations alike.

Attendees responded enthusiastically to the program, with participants consistently praising both the depth of content and the opportunity to learn from professionals actively working in the field.

One attendee described the symposium as “a great way to pick up some gems and connect with other professionals,” while another noted that “every single session was meaningful to anyone working in the special needs space.” Others highlighted the collaborative environment, with one participant observing, “You don’t know what you don’t know. You’re around a lot of people who use the techniques that are talked about and are willing to share their experiences.”

Why Financial Planning for Families With Special Needs is Important

According to Joellen Meckley, JD, MHS, ChSNC®, managing director of the Center for Special Needs, the symposium reflects the Center’s broader mission to improve outcomes for families through professional education.

“Families caring for a loved one with a disability face some of the most complex planning challenges in our profession,” said Meckley. “Our goal is to ensure that advisors have access to the advanced knowledge, practical tools, and professional community necessary to serve those families with confidence and excellence.”

As demand for specialized planning expertise continues to grow, the Center and the Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) designation program are increasingly serving as a national convener of professionals dedicated to improving the financial security and quality of life of individuals with disabilities. Through initiatives such as the Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium, we’re helping shape the future of special needs planning while equipping professionals to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the families they serve.

More on Special Needs Financial Planning

• Learn more about special needs trusts for gifting and inheritance
• Get a checklist for key long-term care planning insights
• See foundational takeaways from the 2025 Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium