Abbie’s thoughts on Post Transition Training Institute.

Attending the Postsecondary Transition Conference was an amazing experience. As both a parent and a professional, it was incredibly encouraging to see so many educators, service providers, and community partners working together with a shared commitment to making our schools the best they can be for students with disabilities.

The conference was uplifting, empowering, and full of practical ideas that I hope to see implemented in our schools. Seeing the level of collaboration and dedication to improving transition opportunities gave me hope and left me feeling genuinely excited about what lies ahead for my daughter during her next four years of high school.

One suggestion I have for future conferences would be to consider offering sessions specifically for parents and newer educators. A parent-focused session explaining the IEP process, transition planning, and the laws and protections available to students with disabilities would be invaluable for families who are just beginning their journey. Likewise, an IEP-focused session for teachers who are new to special education or new to supporting students with disabilities could strengthen collaboration and partnerships between schools and families.

I also believe this conference has the potential to become an even stronger platform for collaboration by bringing together parents, schools, community organizations, day programs, Independent Supported Living (ISL) providers, employment and pre-employment service providers, and other community partners. Creating opportunities for all of these stakeholders to connect, learn from one another, and build relationships would help strengthen transition planning and ensure students and their families have access to the resources and supports they need for a successful future.

Thank you to everyone who invested their time, knowledge, and passion into making this conference such a meaningful experience. I look forward to seeing many of the initiatives discussed become a reality and hope this conference continues to grow as a place where families, professionals, schools, and community partners come together to build brighter futures for students with disabilities.