Registration | Program Information | Presenter Information | Lodging/Directions | Last Year's Highlights | Home

7th Annual Illinois Statewide Transition Conference: October 23-25, 2011

School District Transition Survey | Registration | Welcome Reception | Conference Goals | Exhibitor Registration | Financial Support

The 7th 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 in Springfield, Illinois from October 23-25, 2011.

The conference, titled “Transition: From Roots to Wings”, will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and 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 5 tracks: Education, Employment, Community, Healthcare and Mental Health.

The pre-conference will be structured to support longer sessions for topics that require more time and some shorter sessions offering information on best practices and innovative programs. This year the pre-conference is again scheduled in the afternoon on Sunday, October 23rd, to provide opportunities for those who may not be able to attend during the week. The Exhibit Hall will be open from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please note: not all exhibitors will be participating in the Exhibit Hall on Sunday.

This year we will also be hosting a Welcome Reception on Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the Exhibit Hall on Monday, October 24th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 25th 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 2011 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. Payment must accompany the registration form and can be made by check or purchase order (no credit cards) to Illinois Transition Conference and sent to Marva Campbell-Pruitt, Department of Human Services, 100 W. Randolph St. 5-300, Chicago, IL 60601.

Register by September 20, 2011 to take advantage of reduced registration rates. Registration ends October 7, 2011. There is a discount in registration fees for registering and paying online.

Detailed information on conference sessions and registration can also be found in the 2011 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.

-back to top-

Welcome Reception

A Welcome Reception will be hosted on Sunday, October 23rd, 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 2011 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)
  

-back to top-

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 2011 Illinois statewide Transition Conference has general exhibits open from Sunday 10/23/11 at 1:00 pm through Monday 10/24/11 at 4:00 pm. Healthcare and College Exhibit spaces are available Monday 10/24/11 from 8:00 to 3:30 pm.

Participants need to complete the 2011 Exhibitor Prospectus to become an exhibitor, sponsor, or advertiser.

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.

School District Survey on Illinois Youth in Transition

Please tell us what is happening at your school for transition aged youth so that we may tailor resources and trainings to meet your needs. The survey should take less than 10 minutes. The Illinois State Board of Education is working in partnership with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Division of Specialized Care for Children to develop a “census” and gather information on the high school programs and services that are available to assist youth in transitioning to adulthood. This survey will only take about 10 minutes of your time.

-back to top-

Conference Sponsors

Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center

Family Resource Center on Disabilities

Healthcare and Family Services/Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities

IL Assistive Technology Program

IL Dept. of Human Services

• Division of Rehabilitation Services
  
• Division of Mental Health

IL Interagency Coordinating Council

Il State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities

SIU Region V Technical Assistance and Continuing Education (TACE) Center

Springfield Center for Independent Living

Statewide Independent Living Council of IL

UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children

UIS Office of Disability Services

-back to top-

Registration | Program Information | Presenter Information | Lodging/Directions | Last Year's Highlights | Home

Check with FAE

-back to top-