Upcoming Events
Project Access Annual Conference
Howard Community College, Columbia, MD
April 1, 2010
PERC Staff presentation on Postsecondary Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
A Celebration of 7 years of Success of the Western Connection Program
Western Connecticut State University
Westside Campus Center Ballroom
April 8, 2010 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
The Western Connection Program was made possible through initial planning and development funds from the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), and received the 2007 and 2008 CSDE High School Partnership Excellence Award. The Western Connection Program was chosen as a Post-Secondary Education Research Center (PERC)site, coordinated by TransCen, Inc., for being nationally recognized as a model transition program for cognitively challenged youth, ages 18 – 21 years old, integrated within a 4 year college setting. The Danbury Public Schools, the Western Connecticut State University, and TransCen, Inc. are hosting a reception to highlight the Western Connection Program’s accomplishments:Contact Dr. Meg Grigal for more information.
- National Overview
- Historical Overview and Current Status of the Program’s Curriculum (i.e., academic, employment, student life, self-determination skills).
- Panel of Former and Current Participants and their Families (i.e., WC students, WCSU Student Peer Mentors, Parents, WCSU Faculty and Staff).
- PERC Project Findings on the Success of the WC Program
- Next steps (i.e., serving as a resource to CT State, expansion of services to students with learning and behavioral challenges, identification of new funding sources.
Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series, Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities & the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
April 30, 2010
Woodbridge Hilton, Iselin, NJ
Meg Grigal, Ph.D - Think College: The Promise of Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Final PERC FORUM — May 5, 2010
PERC will hold its final Forum in the TransCen Training Room, 10:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m. located at 451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 700, Rockville, MD 20850.In the last Forum sponsored by the PERC Project, all school systems are invited to come together to hear about the latest state and national updates in the field of postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. In addition, the afternoon will be spent sharing their successes and capturing their future needs to maintain their successes. PERC staff will then share what we learn with state level personnel. Call Amy Dwyre at TransCen, Inc. for more information at 443-416-4078.
New Tools and Resources
Think College! Postsecondary Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
As the Higher Education Opportunity Act opens the door to more options and supports, more and more students with intellectual disabilities are "thinking college." That means high schools, colleges, and universities must be fully prepared to meet the needs of students with disabilities and this comprehensive resource is just what they need. Developed by two of the most respected experts on this hot topic —Meg Grigal, Ph.D., & Debra Hart, M.Ed.— this book uncovers the big picture of today's postsecondary options and reveals how to support students with disabilities before, during, and after a successful transition to college. Order Now!
Inclusive Postsecondary Opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Coastal Carolina University’s (CCU) will launch Coastal Carolina University LIFE in Fall 2009, an inclusive four-year postsecondary education program for students with intellectual disabilities. The four-year program will provide both on and off-campus residential opportunities and participation in university classes with support. Read complete press release.
Research Partnership
The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston, in partnership with TransCen, Inc. in Maryland, has received $1.5 million over three years from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to establish the Center for Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Read complete press release.
Video Documentary
The Career & Community Studies is a college-based, liberal studies program designed to prepare students (ages 18-25) for adult life through academic rigor, career discovery and preparation and peer socialization as part of a diverse community of learners. This clip from their documentary provides a great overview of the programs students.
Equality in home quarters
Micah Fialka-Feldman is trying to overturn an OU (Oakland Univeristy) administration policy that prohibits him from living in any of the campus dorms or apartments. Read the article by MASUDUR RAHMAN, Senior Reporter for the Oakland Post.
Higher Education Opportunity Act
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (H.R. 4137) was signed into law on August 14, 2008. Passed by the House on July 31, 2008 by a vote of 380-49, this law overhauls our nation’s higher education laws. To find out more about how it increases access to post secondary education options and funding for students with intellectual disabilities, go to http://edlabor.house.gov/micro/coaa.shtml
Living with Autism in College
Read article from CNN.com (PDF)
Campuses Widen the Mainstream: Program Welcomes Some with Cognitive Disabilities
Article (PDF) - The Boston Globe, December 10, 2007.
New DVD: Through the Same Door, Inclusion Includes College
Meet Micah Fialka-Feldman, a man who knows what he wants. This inspiring film documents the new movement of fully inclusive education by exploring Micah’s desire for a life without boundaries. As a high school student, Micah wanted the college experience and he got it. See how it’s done, learn how it works, and witness how Micah’s journey challenges us all to reexamine what we believe possible.
Recent Events
2009 OSEP Project Director’s Meeting
Marriott Wardman Park Hotel — Washington, D.C.
July 20-22, 2009
Dr. Meg Grigal and Amy Dwyre, TransCen, Inc.
PERC Poster Session, Monday July 20
DCDT 2009 Annual Conference
15th International Conference: From Cobblestones to Cornerstones, Revitalizing Transition Outcomes in 2009Savannah, Georgia
October 29-31, 2009
More info.
TASH Conference 2009 — If not us Who; If not Now When?
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
November 18-20, 20091/2 day TASH TECH Workshop: November 18, from 8:00 - 12:00pm
Think College: Postsecondary Education for People with Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Meg Grigal, TransCen, Inc.
Cate Weir & Dr. Debra Hart, Institute on Community Inclusion at UMASS-Boston
More info.
Creating Enviable Lives: The Business Plan Conference
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Ritz Carlton, New Orleans
June 9-12, 2009
Debra Hart and Cate Weir
Institute on Community Inclusion, UMASS-Boston
Interactive Café on Postsecondary Education for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Wednesday, June 10
Evaluation and Action Planning Workshop
The PERC Project developed a comprehensive evaluation tool to help school districts assess transition services in the areas of program planning; staffing; administration; student planning; self-advocacy and determination; interagency collaboration; and monitoring. Ten project teams from across the state of Connecticut completed this tool and came together at the Inn at Middletown all day on November 18th, 2008 for a facilitated discussion and action planning session. All teams returned on April 29, 2009, to present the progress made on their Action Plans since November and continue to develop their plan through the rest of this calendar year. See sample of the Action Planning form.
PERC Spring Forum - April 17, 2009
PERC held its Spring Forum at the Thomas Edison High School of Technology on Friday, April 17th. Over 25 people from 10 different counties in Maryland attended. The focus of the day was on Job Development and Job Coaching in a tough economy, presented by Amy Dwyre of PERC. The power point presentation and handouts can be found here. There was also a good discussion about the successes and challenges facing the programs across the state. Thanks to everyone who participated!
- Access Powerpoint (PPT)
- Read the article How to Develop a Personal Positive Profile (PDF)
- Access a blank Personal Positive Profile (PDF)
- Access a blank Personal Positive Profile (WORD)
- Access the informational interview of ROSS Dress for Less (PDF)
- Access a blank informational interview form (PDF)
- Read the editorial on Deficit Marketing (PDF)
Maryland Transition Conference - December 3 & 4, 2008
The 2008 Maryland Transition Conference for All Youth with Disabilities took place on December 3 & 4, in Timonium, Maryland. In its 10th year, this annual event has become Maryland’s premiere event for individuals responsible for and interested in the transition of youth with disabilities to successful and productive post school outcomes.
PERC staff Dr. Meg Grigal and Amy Dwyre presented on Much Ado About Something: Exciting New Developments for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Seeking Postsecondary Education.
Program Team Evaluation and Action Planning Workshop
The PERC Project developed a comprehensive evaluation tool to help school districts assess transition services in the areas of program planning; staffing; administration; student planning; self-advocacy and determination; interagency collaboration; and monitoring. Ten project teams from across the state of Connecticut completed this tool and came together at the Inn at Middletown all day on November 18th, 2008 for a facilitated discussion and action planning session.
The PERC staff from Maryland offered an overview of state and national trends in postsecondary opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities, and then along with the CT SERC (Secondary Education Resource Center) staff, facilitated team discussions of their programs based on their completed evaluation tools. In addition, each team was given a laptop with action planning forms on a CD and staff facilitated the completion of initial action plans based on needs highlighted by the evaluation tool.
- Participants in this professional development activity:
- Individually completed a program evaluation tool provided online at transitiontocollege.net as a prerequisite to participation in this session;
- self-evaluated their current district practices to change service delivery and outcomes in eight (8) identified areas;
- compiled and synthesized data for use at the local and state level;
- created an action plan to address priority areas of need or improvement;
In addition, each team will implement this first phase of their action plan and will come back together in the spring of 2009 to assess their progress and make adjustments where necessary.
The full-day session was a great success and resulted in each team leaving with a thoughtful Phase I action plan for improving or expanding their school disctrict s current program services. We look forward to seeing each team again in the Spring!
- Access the online evaluation tool
- Access a blank Action Planning Form (WORD)
- See a sample Action Planning Form (WORD)
PERC Fall Forum - November 13, 2008
The PERC Fall Forum for all college and community-based transition programs in Maryland took place on November 13th, 2008. The forum was held at the office of TransCen, Inc. located in Rockville, Maryland.
- Read the agenda (WORD)
- Access Powerpoint (PPT)
- Read the articleDetours not Deadends (WORD)
- Access the Compilation of Student Activities Form (WORD)
- Collection of Self-Determination Resources (WORD)
- Access the Program Outcomes Form (WORD)
- Read the Quality Indicators (WORD)
- Access the Self-Advocacy Checklist (WORD)
- Read article on Self Determination (PDF)
DCDT Conference
The Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) sponsored "Brewing Best Practices in Transition" on October 16-17, 2008 in Milwaukee Wisconsin. This two-day event featured sessions on writing transition IEP's, Indicator 13, effective transition curriculum, self-determination, transition assessment and many more topics.
The PERC Spring Forum
The PERC Spring Forum was held on Monday May 5th 2008 at North Point High School in Charles County. This forum was for personnel in college and community-based transition programs serving students with intellectual disabilities in Maryland.
- Read the agenda (WORD)
- Access Powerpoint (PPT)
- Read AIP Brochure (WORD)
- Access Feature to Benefits (WORD) Handout
- Read about the HEA Bills (WORD)
- Access the articleAfter the School Bus Stops Coming (PDF) by Hornstein
- Access the MSTC Orientation (PPT)
- Access the MSTC Student Services Flowchart (WORD)
- Access the handoutPhrases for Approaching Employers (WORD)
- See a Sample Employment Proposal (WORD)
- Access the handoutWork Your Network (PDF)
Presentation at the CEC 2008 Conference in Boston, Massachusetts - April, 2008
PERC Fall Forum - November 28, 2007
This fall the PERC Forum was held in conjunction with the MD State Transition Conference on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at Martin’s West 6817 Dogwood Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21244.
- Read MD State Transition Conference brochure (PDF).
- Read Summaries of PERC presentations at the conference.
- Access Meg Grigal and Amy Dwyre's presentation (PPT).
Training Session - Get a Job: Helping Your Students Find and Keep Great Work - November 6, 2007
This training session was led by Amy Dwyre from PERC/TransCen, Inc. in North Haven, CT.
- Read the description of the training session.
- Access the presentation (PPT).
The Michigan Symposium - THINK COLLEGE: Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities - November 5, 2007
Over 270 people attended the Symposium "THINK COLLEGE: Postsecondary Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities" sponsored by The Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI). The first ever Michigan event took place on November 5th, 2007 on the campus of The University of Michigan, Dearborn. The event was attended by over 270 people and was held in the Fairlane Center. This Symposium brought together leading experts, researchers, practitioners and consumers on postsecondary education (PSE) that provided an overview of PSE opportunities and discussed current trends, issues, and solutions for PSE initiatives.
- Read the Michigan Symposium Informational Brochure (PDF).
- Access more information on the event and conference presentations.
- Read an article in the Detriot Freepress about the event.
- Access Meg Grigal's presentation (PPT).
PERC Staff Presentation at the 2007 DCDT International Conference in Orlando, Florida - October 19, 2007
- Access presentation - Improving Transition Services for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Postsecondary Settings Through a Self-Assessment Process (PPT).
- Visit DCDT for more information.