By: Courtney Taylor
In an effort to share best practices and engage with a gathering of transition colleagues from around the world, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center trainees and faculty attended the 2015 annual Division on Career Development and Transition International Conference held in Portland, Oregon. The conference provides opportunities to share research and field-based expertise in transition assessment, family partnership, postsecondary education, employment, and self-determination.
Erik Carter, Ph.D., professor of Special Education, and trainees Carly Blustein, Maria Mello, and Jenn Bumble, doctoral candidates in Special Education, presented as a part of the strands "Innovative Instructional Practices in Transition, IDEA/Transition"; "Ensuring Successful Policies and Practices"; and "Community Partnerships."
Presentation Summaries:
Pathways to Independence: Supporting Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Postsecondary Education Programs
Presenters: Carly Blustein, Maria Mello
The presentation offered a novel approach to improving skills related to vocational and financial independence through two interventions implemented within a postsecondary education (PSE) program for young adults (ages 20-22) with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Presenters shared recommendations aimed at strengthening programming opportunities and skill-development in PSE settings.
Changing the Conversation: Engaging Communities to Strengthen Transition Education and Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities
Presenters: Carly Blustein, Jenn Bumble, Lisa Cushing, Michelle Parker-Katz, Erik Carter
This panel focused on “community conversations” as a practical and asset-based approach for increasing the capacity and commitment of professionals, families, and community allies to improve transition outcomes for youth. Presenters described how they used this approach to strengthen transition services, present process and impact data, and offer recommendations for implementation.
Characteristics of Students Who Access Transition Services
Presenter: Maria Mello
Using a nationwide survey, this presentation offered a descriptive analysis of which students are more likely to receive (versus not receive) transition services. Presenters offered implications for transition planning for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and families.
For more information on the conference, visit http://community.cec.sped.org/dcdt/home.
Last Updated: 11/10/2015 9:10:44 AM
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