This session equips parents, service providers, and educators with strategies to support individuals with disabilities transitioning from school to employment. Participants will explore evidence-based practices and free AI tools that facilitate successful transitions, focusing on personalized support and community collaboration. The session emphasizes the importance of tailored approaches and technology integration to enhance transition outcomes. Drawing from over 20 years of experience in special education and 10 years of research on AI and XR technologies, this presentation includes findings from projects like iKNOW, which uses XR scenarios to deliver individualized instruction, and over 100 national and international presentations on evidence-based practices for diverse learners highlighting the role of personalized, innovative supports and tools to ensure successful transitions for individuals with disabilities.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will be able to demonstrate effective strategies for supporting individuals with disabilities in employment transitions using Artificial Intelligence and other forms of innovative technology.
- Participants will be able to leverage community resources and free technology to enhance transition outcomes for individuals strengths and learning needs.
- Participants will understand the role of personalized support, prompting, modeling and timely encouragement in successful transitions.
Empowering individuals with disabilities, including those with neurodiversity such as autism, ADHD, and TBI, to succeed in post-secondary transitions requires intentional implementation of assistive technology (AT) supports. This presentation will explore how a curated digital toolbox can set students up for success in vocational rehabilitation and higher education. Participants will gain practical strategies for assessing individual needs, selecting appropriate AT tools, and fostering digital literacy. Evidence-based practices will highlight how AT solutions, including built-in accessibility features, text-to-speech, organizational apps, and productivity software, promote independence and improve outcomes. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles will be integrated to demonstrate how AT can benefit a wide range of learners. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to create personalized digital toolboxes that bridge the gap between secondary education.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the role of assistive technology in supporting executive functioning, literacy, and productivity for post-secondary transitions.
- Apply the SETT framework to assess individual technology needs and select appropriate AT solutions
- Explore evidence-based digital tools, including built-in accessibility features, and strategies for fostering independence in vocational and academic settings.
Early transition planning is key to ensuring a smooth and successful journey for students as they move from school to adulthood. By starting earlier, IEP teams can identify and address potential challenges, include practical outside agency support, set clear goals, and provide the necessary opportunities for students to explore postsecondary options and thrive.
Join us for an insightful session packed with valuable resources to help you navigate Arizona’s requirements for Secondary Transition Planning. Discover effective practices that foster strong youth self-determination while empowering your team to create more impactful transition plans. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and make a difference for Arizona students!
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the Importance of Early Transition Planning: Learn why starting transition planning early is crucial for student success.
- Navigate Arizona’s Requirements: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the state’s requirements for Secondary Transition Planning.
- Identify and Address Potential Challenges: Explore strategies to identify and mitigate challenges that students may face during their transition.
- This session is designed to equip educators, administrators, and families with the knowledge and tools needed to create robust and effective transition plans. By attending, participants will enhance their skills, gain valuable insights, and be better prepared to support students in their journey from school to adulthood.
- Set Clear Goals: Learn how to set achievable and meaningful goals for students’ postsecondary success.
- Provide Necessary Support: Discover resources and practices that support students in exploring postsecondary options and thriving in their chosen paths.
Creating employment opportunities for Indigenous youth with disabilities starts with relationships, not job placements. Before we can help youth find meaningful work, we must first mobilize the community—building trust, listening to elders, and engaging those who know the land, culture, and people best. This panel brings together tribal members who have worked to strengthen local connections and create spaces where employment conversations can begin. They will share how trust and relationship-building must come first before any real change can happen. Attendees will learn how to engage tribal communities, honor cultural knowledge, and support the groundwork needed for employment services to be accepted and effective in tribal communities.
Learning Outcomes
- Why Trust Comes First – Learn why relationship-building must happen before employment programs can take root in Tribal communities.
- Mobilizing Community Leadership – Understand how engaging elders, families, and local leaders creates a strong foundation for employment efforts.
- Honoring Culture in Employment Services – Discover how to align employment programs with tribal values to ensure they are accepted and effective.
Join us for an engaging workshop dedicated to empowering providers as we explore best practices for connecting with schools to deliver Pre-Employment Transition Services (PreETS), with a special emphasis on work-based learning experiences (WBLE). Attendees will discover strategies for fostering lasting relationships between schools and employers—relationships that thrive well beyond the WBLE workshop. By leveraging insights from the school sustainability guide crafted by the Sonoran Center’s PreETS project, participants will gain valuable skills to effectively connect with schools, engage employers, and collaborate with the Sonoran Center to enhance their PreETS services.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify strategies for connecting with schools to deliver PreETS.
- Describe effective approaches with employers to develop WBLE experiences that go beyond the 2 hour workshop.
- Identify how the Sonoran Center’s PreETS project can collaborate with providers to connect with schools and develop WBLE.
Learn what is included in the IEP transition planning process which takes place when student is in 9th grade. Explore the student’s identified strengths, preferences and interests. Discover the intent and purpose of post-secondary transition and every component of the plan. We will also cover what a Summary of Performance and Education and Career Action Plans (ECAP) are and when they are completed. All the above information will be used to set goals for the student to prepare them for post-secondary education/training, employment and independent living.
Learning Outcomes
- Purpose of Post-Secondary Transition
- Components of High School Transition Plan
- Summary of Performance and Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP)
This session describes the development of a secondary transition program’s initiative to both build on assistive technology consideration and implementation across a district and improve student vocational outcomes by merging their Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) with on-site student volunteer work experiences. This presentation is geared towards those looking for creative problem-solving strategies to meet multiple needs when working with individuals with disabilities. The content focuses on one district’s needs/challenges that led to the program’s development, in addition to detailed information on the program design and activities.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize the needs assessment results that led to this initiative
- Identify the specific work experience design and activities promoting district-wide AT consideration while developing student work skills, self-determination, and self-advocacy skills.
- Analyze this initiative and design for broader application in other environments
- This presentation proposal’s content also supports the Innovative Practices in Disability Disciplines track.
Research suggests that youth with disabilities are less likely to experience positive post-school outcomes compared to their peers without disabilities. To this end, secondary transition services are intended to help youth with disabilities make the transition from high school to the world of adulthood. Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams are tasked with planning and implementing transition plans to help all youth with disabilities achieve successful post-school outcomes that include postsecondary education and training, employment, and community engagement. This session will equip educators and related professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to do so by providing them with strategies to assess individual needs, develop personalized transition plans, and connect students with appropriate supports and resources.
Learning Outcomes
- The transition planning process.
- Providing skill development and support.
- Strengthening the IEP through transition.
Are there students in your life who are unsure about their future career path or how to prepare for the workforce? Navigating these challenges can be tough, but support is available! Join us for an insightful and welcoming session to learn about Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and how it can empower students to explore career options, develop job readiness skills, and take steps toward achieving their goals. Together, we can support students in unlocking their potential and building a pathway to success!
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will have an understanding of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
- Participants will gain an understanding of the five core Pre-ETS activities mandated by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and their role in supporting students with disabilities.
- Participants will know how to request Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
