The 16th Annual Illinois Statewide Transition Conference for transition aged youth and young adults with disabilities, their family members and teachers, vocational professionals, caregivers, health care professionals, college students pursuing careers in special education, resident physicians and community advocates will be held at the Embassy Suites East Peoria Hotel and Conference Center on October 29 and 30, 2020.
Plans for the conference are proceeding at this time. Any changes to the conference plans will be posted to this website.
Registration for the Illinois Statewide Transition Conference is scheduled to open July 3rd, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 crisis, we are continuing to re-evaluate the viability of the conference as the situation evolves. Please stay tuned!
The goals of the Illinois Statewide Transition Conference are to promote effective, person-centered transition planning to address as aspects of adult life for youth with disabilities.
The conference, titled “Stepping Stones of Transition”, invites 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 are organized into 4 tracks: Education, Health, Community and Employment.
Education: Instructional delivery models, accommodations and modifications, program development, evidence-based practices, advocacy, and/or other resources for transition age youth receiving services in secondary, post-secondary settings, adult service agencies or community-based organizations.
Health: The health track is intended for pediatric and adult providers and others who play a role in transition. Sessions will include generalized talks about the transition process, the core elements of health care transition and practical guidelines for implementing transition process in physician practices. The plenary session will further build capacity and supports for improving transition outcomes for youth with special health care needs/disabilities.
Community: Independent living skills such as getting an apartment, preparing to live as independently as possible, community based-instruction, recreation and leisure, healthcare, financial literacy, online etiquette, community participation and personal safety in public and giving back (volunteering).
Employment: Competitive/integrated employment opportunities, hiring people with disabilities, internships and job shadowing experiences for high school students, partnerships between high schools, colleges, VR agency, employers, nonprofits, workforce development boards, students and their families, and programs improving employment opportunities for in school and out of school youth. Emphasis on youth and how they can appropriately advocate for themselves both on the job and before the job.