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What: The 2011 National Transition Conference will provide a forum for the development of an action agenda, bring together critical partners in the transition community to exchange innovative ideas and approaches; demonstrate knowledge gained from policy implementation; transition practices; research findings; and promote and facilitate the development of networks and relationships. The 2011 National Transition Conference will bring together: Youth and young adults Family members/advocates/caregivers Educators Vocational rehabilitation professionals Employment and training professionals Researchers State and federal officials Leaders in the transition community When: November 7-9, 2011 More info: Registration will be available online in the summer. Check the conference website at www.transition2011.org for conference news and updates.

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Autism Spectrum Disorders project offers webcasts to NIDRR grantees, people with disabilities and their families, professional organizations, and other stakeholders to increase awareness of and discussions regarding knowledge translation concepts and other topics of broad scope related to VR-Autism, standards of evidence, systematic review procedures, effective outreach activities, and conclusions/implications from specific systematic reviews addressing topics of high interest to consumers of evidence-based research.

We are pleased to announce the release of a new FREE online training curriculum, Montana Integrated Vocational Employment Specialist Training (MT INVEST).  MT INVEST is a joint project of the Developmental Disabilities Program and Vocational Rehabilitation, and is available to our employment partners and the public throughout the State of Montana! 

Many autistic adults have a hard time finding their place in the world. Less than half enroll in higher education or find work. (According to the Social Security Administration, only about 6 percent of adults with autism work full-time.) Many lack the skills to live alone. Those who cannot work generally qualify for monthly Social Security disability payments, which are too low to cover vocational coaches, therapeutic day programs, or other interventions that may help an autistic person reach a modicum of self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, the federal government does not require school systems to provide special education for students older than 18 (most states, including Illinois, have extended the requirement through age 21). “If you have a developmental disability like Frank, when you turn 22, you disappear,” says Craven’s mother, Jane Gallery, a 61-year-old Winnetka resident. “You fall off a cliff.”

Click here to register!What:Employment rates for people with disabilities are declining: people with ASD are among the least likely to be employed. In fact, only 15 percent of working aged adults with ASD are currently employed (Cameto et al, 2003). Effective interventions are clearly needed to improve employment rates for this population. SEDL and partners on the National Advisory Panel of the Vocational Rehabilitation Service Models for Individuals with ASD project have implemented a rigorous process for identifying programs that help increase competitive, long-term employment for people with ASD. Wildwood Programs was designated as an effective program in the summer of 2011. Located in Latham, New York, this program serves people with ASD needing employment-related supports. Wildwood Programs works collaboratively with individuals, families and businesses to increase individuals' independence and integration into the community. To hear more about Wildwood Program's replicable employment services please register for this free webcast at the top of the page.When:December 14, 20111:00 - 2:00PM Mountain Contact:Please send questions to vr-autism@sedl.org

Twenty-two high school students with disabilities will attend a University of Montana seminar designed to facilitate a smooth transition to college July 20-23.“Movin’ on in Montana,” a collaboration between UM’s Disability Services for Students, the Rural Institute and Montana Vocational Rehabilitation, will bring together high school students from across the state to learn about disability rights, different expectations between high school and college, and how to use academic support. The students also will meet UM students with disabilities.

On November 9th MDSC will be hosting a Special Presentation of Mel Brooks’ The Producers at Missoula Children’s Theater. The director of the play is a New York Broadway producer; how exciting to have him in Missoula and for our performance! The evening will begin at 6pm with hors d’oeuvres and a hosted beer and wine bar. There is a wonderful silent and live auction ~ Mayor John Engen is our auctioneer.   MDSC just celebrated our 20th Anniversary of supporting adults with severe developmental disabilities. Services include residential, vocational, daily living skills training, medical, community integration, recreation, and transportation. Tickets are $50.00 for one or $90.00 for a pair. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Click here to register for this webinar What: The Real Lives, Real Stories webinar will give VR personnel specific, real cases of 3-6 transition age individuals with autism who have achieved competitive employment or are in the process of seeking and achieving competitive, customized employment. This webinar will address the stories and lives of at least 3 individual (Ian’s Story, Chelsea’s Story, Katelyn’s Story, Vincent’s Story, Ashley’s Story, and/or William’s Story) and will cover: An overview including video of the individual. The process of how their goals are decided and a description of the employment outcome. The personal supports each person needs and how they are provided. The paid supports each person needs and how they are provided. Where the person is now and plans for near future. It is expected that VR staff who participate the webinar will learn about the variety of interests, skills, and needs of individuals with autism and the possibilities for employment. In addition, staff will be given general; and specific information about specific types of paid, unpaid, formal, and natural supports individuals may need. When: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 10:00am - 11:00am Mountain Registration: Click here to register for this webinar Deadline for registration is Sept. 5, 2011 The webinar is free of charge.

Click here to download full flyer with registration information (PDF) What: The Northern Rockies Association for the Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind & Visually Impaired is holding its annual conference. Presentations include: Teaching Braille though Arts and Games ~ Jan Zollinger, Distinguished Educators of Blind Children Award, 2004 Stress and the Deaf-Blind Student: Enhancing the Work Environment ~ Robin Greenfield, Coordinator of the Idaho DeafBlind Project Using the Low Vision Assessment Effectively ~ a panel (O&M Specialist; Teacher of the Visually Impaired; etc.) Options for Driving with Optical Devices ~ Dr. Dwight Hansen, Low Vision Specialist Transition and Beyond ~ Dana Ard, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Blind Assistive Technology for Students with Multiply Impairments-Visual Impairments ~ Nora Jehn, Director of the Idaho Center for Assistive Technology Update on Accessible Technology for the Consumer (IPAD, Magnifiers, Notetaking Devices, Auditory Readers, etc.) Low Vision and Low Vision Devices American Printing House: new math and tactual graphics products Dog Guide Issues Where: Sun Valley Inn Ketchum, Idaho When: October 19-21, 2011

Click here to download the full flyer (PDF) What: Have you been waiting for your children to start school before you complete your GED or prepare for College? Wait NO Longer -- Call 406-523-4033 to enroll in Spring/Summer classes! Education for the whole family begins at Even Start, located at 310 S. Curtis in Missoula, MT. Adult Education GED ESL –English as a Second Language Vocational Training Prepare for College Parent and Child Together Time Activities for Parents and Children to Learn and Play Together Early Childhood Education for Children Ages  0-8 years Physical, Intellectual, Social, Emotional and Language Development Scientifically-based curriculum Parent Education Child Development Language and Literacy School Readiness Community Resources

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/342410670 What: This session builds on the previous webinar (April 19th) to explain and illustrate how Social Security work incentives can be used to support transition from school to work for youth with disabilities.  Some youth can access work incentives while they are still in school.  They have been able to purchase services that augment what the school provides for employment preparation or save for future costs of supports needed to work.  Other youth access work incentives as they exit school and can use these incentives to pay for supports lasting beyond the initial Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) investment.  For youth who are in need of extended employment supports in order to work, Social Security work incentives have been used to leverage VR funds when no other funding was available to pay for the needed extended employment services. When: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM MDT After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar

For more information about the Montana State University Billings WIPA project please contact: mark.williams1@msubillings.edu or cal toll free: 888-866-3822 What: The Montana State University Billings/Montana Center on Disabilities WIPA project is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act that was established in 1999. The goal of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project is to help Social Security Disability beneficiaries understand and utilize employment supports and work incentives so they can achieve their employment/ vocational goals.The Community Work Incentives Coordinator travels throughout Montana to make these services more accessible for consumers in their local areas.

For more information about the Montana State University Billings WIPA project please contact: tkelker@msubillings.edu or jennifer.belcher@msubillings.edu or call toll free: 888-866-3822 What: The Montana State University Billings/Montana Center on Disabilities WIPA project is part of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act that was established in 1999. The goal of the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project is to help Social Security Disability beneficiaries understand and utilize employment supports and work incentives so they can achieve their employment/ vocational goals.The Community Work Incentives Coordinator travels throughout Montana to make these services more accessible for consumers in their local areas.

Starting Tuesday, the store, which is located just inside the main Big Sky doors, will begin selling clothing, jewelry, shoes, toys, games and various knickknacks to the general public and Big Sky students while giving real-world business experience to vocational-education students at the school. Its grand opening begins at 3 p.m., and the store will be open until 8:30 p.m. Most, but not all, of its student-employees are children with special needs.