Tuesday Transition Tips

• Transition Tip #69: National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

• Washtenaw ISD Sponsored Field Trips (Save the dates!)

• Washtenaw Transition Services PDs/Trainings/Collaboration Opportunities

• WISD Special Education Training/PDs Offerings

• State and National Transition Conference(s) and Special Education Conference(s):

• • Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), March 3-5, 2027, Grand Rapids, MI

  • National Council for Exceptional Children (CEC); March 10-13, 2027 Columbus, OH

  • Michigan Transition Services Association(MTSA) March 17-19, 2027, Lansing, MI

• Additional Transition Learning Opportunities for Educators

• • MITTIN & Michigan Virtual

  • Grand Valley State University START: The Secondary Transition Cop

• Student Opportunities in Washtenaw County

• Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council: How Your Future Could Include Employment October 30, 2026 (details below)
• Exceptional Journey's Special Needs Fashion Show Gala: November 1, 2026 at the Kensington Hotel from 4-6pm
• Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation: Virtual Inclusive Fitness (see dates below)
• Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) Pre-ets Virtual Information Nights (dates below)
• We Rock the Spectrum: Parent Support Group-The Village
• Person-Centered Options Counseling Program (see details below)

• Michigan Assistive Technology Program(MATP) (see information below)

• The ARC & AT&T presents: Digital Literacy Creates Opportunity (see details below)

• Adulting 101 sessions with Michigan Alliance

• Disability Network Student and Family Opportunities: Activities/Events (see list below)

• Free Expungement Intake: Michigan Advocacy Program (see details below)

• Washtenaw County Post Secondary Transition Manual

A special thank-you to everyone who participated in the Fall Washtenaw Transition Student and Family Workshop/Fair! We are grateful to all the agencies that attended and shared valuable resources and information with our community. We also extend our appreciation to the student classes, families, Washtenaw educators and support staff, and community members who joined us. Your participation and collaboration help create great postsecondary transition outcomes for our students and families!

Missed the fall event? There’s another opportunity to connect! Join us for the next Washtenaw Transition Student and Family Agency Fair on May 13, 2027, from 5:00–7:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore resources, connect with local agencies, and enjoy a taco bar!

We look forward to bringing our community together again as we continue working collaboratively to support students and families in navigating transition planning and exploring opportunities for life after high school.

A special thank-you to the agencies that participated in our fall event:

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons(BSBP)

Camp Skywild

Continuum Help Foundation

Disability Network

Eastern Michigan University DRC(Disability Resource Center)

Intentional Communities of Washtenaw

MiABLE

Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF)

Michigan Career Technical Institute (MCTI)

Michigan Rehabilitation Services(MRS)

Michigan Works (Southeast)

MITTIN (MI Transition to Independence Innovative Curricular Resources)

Our House

People’s Express

Ready for Life(Hope College and Ferris University)

The Ride (Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority AAATA)

Washtenaw Community College

Washtenaw Community Mental Health

Washtenaw County MDHHS

Washtenaw Health Project

Washtenaw ACA (Association for Community Advocacy)

WAVE (Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express)

WISD AAC Team

YMCA(Ann Arbor)

Hello all,

There is always so much to cover when it comes to transition, but I can’t let the month pass without acknowledging National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.”

What began in 1945 as a week-long observation recognizing the contributions of people with physical disabilities has since grown into a full month of celebration, a growth well deserved. NDEAM now also highlights employment opportunities for all people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and those whose disabilities are not visible.

This month, and every month, we recognize and celebrate what people with disabilities bring to our workplaces, our communities, and our economy. We know and value our students, and the employees and volunteers they are and will become. Our nation recognizes the contributions and value of people with disabilities through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), and we are proud to celebrate alongside our nation.

Here are a few resources:

U.S. Department of Labor: Office of Disability Employment Policy: National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

NDEAM news release

NDEAM 2026: Celebrating Value & Talent -A Milestone Conversation

Hello educators, last week’s Transition Tip describes each field trip and shares recommendations for which students may benefit most from attending. Please review it as you plan, and let us know if you’d like to talk through any student’s fit.

• MCEC( Michigan Council for Exceptional Children)-Grand Rapids, MI, March 3rd-5th, 2027, Michigan CEC 2027 Conference
• National CEC(Council for Exception Children)-Columbus, Ohio March 10th-12th, 2027, CEC 2027 Columbus, Ohio
• MTSA(Michigan Transition Services Association), March 17th-19th, 2027, Lansing, MI, MTSA, Lansing, MI

MITTIN- a FREE, Online Transition Virtual Reality Resource for students now has a FREE Michigan Virtual Professional Development (SCECH's available) See below for details and sign-up link.

MITTIN (Michigan Transition To Independence) is an innovative initiative dedicated to preparing students for independent living and meaningful participation in their communities. It merges advanced technology with practical, real-world applications. MITTIN fosters autonomy, self-reliance, and confidence among learners of varying abilities. This course will guide you as you explore the MITTIN modules, which simulate real-world tasks in a safe, digital environment. You’ll also access lesson plans to help you use them with your students.

In this course, you will:

• Decide which MITTIN modules align with students’ real-life needs by exploring the MITTIN website.
• Decide which MITTIN modules align with your students’ IEP goals, how those modules can help reinforce and maintain the skills they learn, and how you can help students generalize those skills to real-life situations.
• Develop strategies for using MITTIN modules to support students in maintaining Home Safety and Community skills and integrating those skills into their real lives with collaboration from families and paraprofessionals.
• Use MITTIN modules to develop and strengthen data-informed PLAAFP (Present Level of Academic, Achievement, and Functional Performance) statements, draft IEP goals, and enhance SDI (Specially Designed Instruction).

1. https://michiganvirtual.org/course/professional/mittin-digital-resources-for-strengthening-real-world-independence-3-general-scech

2026-2027 Meeting Dates

• November 12, 2026; 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Virtual
• February 25, 2027; 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Virtual
• April 15, 2027; 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Virtual

To join the Secondary Transition CoP as a new member, please complete this form (submissions are subject to review).

We Rock The Spectrum has a new parent support / playgroup for families with special needs and I was wondering if you would be willing to share with your community? (See attached flyer). Our goal is to provide parent connection, friendships for the child, and resource sharing.

Our first meetup is October 4th from 10am-12pm and Open Play is only $9. Link to book here -[goog_276568084] https://ecom.roller.app/werockthespectrumannarbor/booknow/en-us/product/1588423?date=2026-10-04

We want to spread the word as much as possible because the more families that participate and share ideas on the type of support they are looking for, the more we can work towards creating those opportunities.

Michigan 4-H Adulting 101

You do not need to be a 4-H member to sign up and attend. They are all in the evening and are all virtual. All info and sign up link are below- sign up for 1 or all...Free! Please share freely with your students/families.

• Paws, Claws, and Commitment: The Realities of Animal Care - Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. EST

Each session is planned for approximately 1 hour.

More details on the sessions, as well as the registration link can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/adulting-101-2026

You can choose to register for one or more of the topics at the time of registration and will then receive details, via e-mail, to register in Zoom to receive the webinar link. Please use the same name and e-mail you used for registration when signing into Zoom.

Michigan 4-H is helping youth be “beyond ready” for their future. We invite youth and adults to learn more and join additional programs (or become a volunteer) by checking out the Michigan 4-H website.

Stay informed of upcoming events, news, and more by signing up for a digest, following us on Facebook, Instagram, or checking out our website.

The Michigan Assistive Technology Program (MATP) The Michigan Assistive Technology Program is a statewide organization dedicated to providing free demonstrations and short-term loans of assistive technology (AT). Serving individuals of all ages, the program offers loan periods ranging from 14 to 45 days, ensuring users have ample time to trial a device before making a commitment.

Their inventory supports more than just educational needs; they offer solutions for employment, recreation, and daily living. For added convenience, MATP is mobile; if you cannot visit them, they will come to your home or workplace. Beyond device loans, they provide specialized training and workshops for businesses and organizations looking to improve accessibility and AT awareness.

Contact: Contact Us

This Tuesday’s Transition Tip is a review to some and introduction to others. It is important as special education providers/case managers that we create structured and detailed postsecondary transition plans for our students. The Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual is a guide to assist special education staff with creating complaint post-secondary transition plans. This guide contains a table of contents to help locate information quickly. The manual also gives insight on how not only to build a complaint transition plan but a quality transition plan. It includes links, videos, and an appendix to assist. Please take the time to read and review the Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual.

Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual

The WISD Transition Services website has an assessment library with FREE electronic forms/materials. Check it out!

Also the WISD has a lending library of assessment and curricula resources using the WISD Destiny Library.

*When using student photos be sure to included photo release permissions.