Auburn University College of Education hosting Alabama Transition Conference

The 26th Alabama Transition Conference hosted by the College of Education's Auburn Transition Leadership Institute will be held March 7-8 at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.

Transition work and research is based on accessing the needs of students with disabilities and supporting their development from childhood to adulthood in all areas of life including education, employment, rehabilitation, social support, advocacy and self-efficacy.

The Auburn Transition Leadership Institute, in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation and Counseling, and the annual Alabama Transition Conference are at the forefront of transition research and advocacy.

This year's conference features the region of West Alabama and will highlight "Transition – Seeking the Way," in recognition of the region's work and support toward serving students with disabilities and improving their transition experiences throughout various stages of their life.

The keynote speaker is Jody Fuller, a humorist, speaker, writer and soldier. Fuller will speak about overcoming life's challenges, including poverty and stuttering. Other featured presenters include Sharon Field-Hoffman, co-director of the Initiative for Self-determination at the College of Education at Wayne State University, Kimberly Osmani, the statewide transition coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation, and Jim Martin, a nationally renowned author focused on the transition of youth with disabilities into postsecondary education.

Conference events include five workshops and 44 concurrent sessions on a variety of transition topics, including resources to support self-determination, how to facilitate success in postsecondary environments, building collaboration among various partnerships and current issues related to transition for students with significant disabilities.

In addition, the conference will include poster presentations and exhibitor displays of transition and disability-related products and services. A transition update will be held during a general session of the conference with two national leaders: Bill East, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, and Stephen Wooderson, the chief executive officer of the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Online registration is available. For more information on registration, fees, deadlines and specific details go to www.auburn.edu/atli and click the conference logo. Continuing education units will be awarded. For specific conference inquiries, contact Courtney Dotson at ckd0004@auburn.edu.