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National Transition Networking Conference for Educators of the Blind and Visually Impaired

by Dael Cohen
Overbrook School for the Blind

"Hello! It's great to meet you." "Yes, transition is one of my many hats." "What kinds of jobs do your students have?" These words reflect just a few of the many words exchanged during the First National Transition Networking Conference for Education of the Blind and Visually Impaired. The conference held at Overbrook School for the Blind on October 8-9, 1998, provided the opportunity for representatives of schools for the blind and three vocational rehabilitation agencies to meet, share information, and brainstorm about challenging issues related to transition of students from school to the adult world. Approximately thirty people from the following programs participated in large and small group activities: Indiana School for the Blind, Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, Maryland School for the Blind, Mississippi School for the Blind, Nebraska School for the Visually Handicapped, Overbrook School for the Blind, South Dakota School for the Visually Handicapped, St. Joseph's School for the Blind, Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind-Staunton, Washington State School for the Blind, South Dakota Rehabilitation Services to the Blind, Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, and Washington State Rehabilitation Services for the Blind.

Each team made a half-hour presentation to the group about the transition services specific to their school and their students' needs. Participants discovered that we face many similar challenges and have developed similar and unique responses to the challenges of multi-handicapped students, transitioning from a residential program back to the home community, limited adult support services, the need for variety in employment opportunities and in developing support from the business world, promoting family and student enpowerment, and just plain old finding the time to do everything. It was very exciting to see program videos and slide presentations as well as read the manuals or brochures produced for special programming.

Many schools run summer career and employment programs for students of both the residential school and for students from other schools. These programs usually have a residential component for all of the participants where students focus on daily living skills, mobility, and recreation. In addition, students will participate in a series of career awareness activities to both identify areas of job interest and practice job readiness skills. Another common theme found in transition education is the emphasis on daily living and community based activities. A critical challenge in this area highlights the need for greater community supports, more networking with adult service agencies, and closer contact with post-secondary education sites. Each team will be providing a short summary of their presentation.

On the second day of the conference, after a lovely evening together, we were all ready to jump right into the challenge-based brainstorming sessions. Participants gathered together in groups of 4-8 to discuss topics of community integration, deafblind issues, employment, networking, family empowerment, transition planing, interagency partnerships, and self-advocacy. A list of concerns, solutions, ideas, and general thoughts on each topic was developed through the brainstorming process. Group participants shared ideas that were successful, and those that were less than successful, at their individual schools. People felt comfortable offering suggestions and support to their fellow transition planner. In addition to our completely interactive brainstorming sessions, we were fortunate to have a special presentation on self-determination. A unique cooperative agreement developed between Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired and the South Dakota School for the Visually Handicapped provides school to work transition planning services.

Conference participants unanimously agreed that this conference was a success. Many people were encouraged by the similarity of solutions and inspired by the diversity of ideas. One person expressed a sentiment held by many: this conference was more meaningful than other transition conferences, because it focused primarily on students from schools for the blind. Next year's conference is currently being planned. I hope that those of you who could not attend this year will join us in the future. Even though specific dates have not been confirmed, plan on the conference being held in early Fall.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dael Cohen, Overbrook School for the Blind, (215) 877-0313, ext. 276 or e-mail Daelc@obs.org.

Vol 5 No. 1 February 1999 contents

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