8th Annual Illinois Statewide Transition Conference: October 24-26, 2012
The 8th Annual Transition Conference for high school aged students and young adults with disabilities, their family members and teachers, vocational professionals, caregivers, health care professionals, college students pursuing careers in special education and community advocates will be held at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois from October 24-26, 2012.
The conference, titled “Stepping Stones of Transition”, will invite participants to imagine the possibilities for students with disabilities in the areas of independent living, education and training, employment, community integration, health care, and self-advocacy.
Conference sessions will be organized into 4 tracks: Education, Employment, Community and Healthcare.
Friday, October 26th concludes the conference and highlights multi-choice Plenary Sessions and Break-Out Sessions in the morning. The conference concludes at 11:30 a.m.
Registration
Conference participants are strongly encouraged to register using the Illinois Transition Conference online registration. "Go Green" and help conference planners take eco-friendly steps to better our environment by registering online and eliminating paper registration forms. A limited number of hard copy registration booklets will be made available by request only to those that do not have internet access. Contact Family Matters at 866-436-7842.
The registration web site provides details about the conference plenary sessions and agenda with specifics on each of the breakout sessions. Space is limited and breakout sessions have limited capacity on a first come basis. So register early to ensure admission to your top choice sessions.
If unable to register online, use the forthcoming 2012 Illinois Statewide Transition Conference Registration Form to complete the registration process by mail or fax. This Registration form is in PDF format - you will need the Adobe Reader to view, complete and print the document. The Reader is available free from the Adobe web site.
Registration ends September 21, 2012.
Detailed information on conference sessions and registration can also be found in the soon to be available 2012 Transition Conference Registration booklet. This booklet is available in PDF format - you will need the Adobe Reader to view, complete and print the document. The Reader is available free from the Adobe web site.
Welcome Reception
A Welcome Reception will be hosted on Thursday, October 25th, to provide conference participants the opportunity to network with colleagues as well as meet new friends and associates. Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages will be offered from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Look for more information at the Registration Desk.
Conference Goals
The goals for the 2012 Illinois Statewide Transition Conference are to promote effective, person-centered transition planning to address all aspects of adult life for youth with disabilities. Conference participants will discover practical and evidence-based (proven) strategies related to:
- Family Involvement (e.g., parents and families as partners in planning for and delivering transition services)
- Student Self-determination (e.g., using transition assessment information and facilitating students' self-determination to develop individualized plans based on their post-school goals)
- Interagency Collaboration (e.g., involvement of community businesses, organizations and agencies in all aspects of transition-focused goals)
- Effective program structures (e.g., efficient and effective delivery of transition-focused education and services to all transition-aged youth)
Target Audience
- Transition-aged youth/young adults who have a disability
- Family members
- Health Care Professionals
- Caregivers
- Special Education educators and administrators
- Vocational Rehabilitation counselors and administrators
- Advocates
- Transition Planning Committees
Exhibitor Registration
Do you want to reach over 800 participants who are interested in helping create active, productive lives for young people with disabilities? A limited number of exhibit spaces were available to allow you to reach students, parents, teachers, social service and healthcare professionals.
The 2012 Illinois statewide Transition Conference has general exhibits open from Thursday 10/25/12 through Friday 10/25/12 at 12:00 noon. New this year in the Exhibit Hall on Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm there will be a spotlight on Young Adult Entrepreneurial programs/student work programs.
Participants need to complete the 2012 Exhibitor Prospectus to become an exhibitor, sponsor, or advertiser. The Exhibitor/Sponsorship Contract must be completed and returned by September 1, 2012.
Financial Support:
The Transition Conference Committee has made provisions for a limited number of scholarships for parents and students who need financial assistance. These funds are available on a first come, first serve basis. This scholarship can be used for needed conference related expenses including registration, hotel, transportation and/or a personal attendant. To apply, please contact Tara Dunning of the State Independent Living Council of Illinois (SILC) at 217-744-7777 or tara@silcofillinois.org.
Scholarships are also available through the Arc of Illinois Consumer Involvement Program; call 815-464-1832 for information about the Arc of Illinois program or visit their website at www.thearcofil.org.
Conference Sponsors
Dupage Center for Independent Living
Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center
Family Resource Center on DisabilitiesIL Alliance of Administrators of Special Education
IL Assistive Technology Program
IL Dept. of Human ServicesIL Interagency Coordinating Council
Il State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities
Mid-Valley CooperativeParents Alliance Employment Project/Glenbard
Statewide Independent Living Council of IL
UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children
8th Annual Illinois Statewide Transition Conference
October 24-26, 2012
Pheasant Run Resort
St. Charles, Illinois
For more information
contact the conference organizers
via email at info@illinoistransitionconference.org
The Adobe Reader, available free from the Adobe web site, is needed to view and print PDF files.
