The Monadnock Region Transition Fair will be held on October 22, 2019 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Keene State College.

This event is part of a statewide series called the INTELLIGENT LIVES “Opening Doors” Campaign: Expanding NH’s Workforce—Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Employment and Higher Education. This series features the newest documentary film project by the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire’s award-winning filmmaker, Dan Habib, INTELLIGENT LIVES. The campaign includes a film screening, discussion, and transition fair events aimed at improving higher education and employment outcomes for youth with disabilities.

This event is co-sponsored by Keene State College, Monadnock Developmental Services, NH Vocational Rehabilitation, The Keene Sentinel, and Southern NH University.

Event co-hosts include Keene State College, Keene State College Education Department, the Southwest Center for Educational Support at KSC, Kappa Delta Pi at KSC, Monadnock Developmental Services, the Keene School District (SAU #29), SAU #29’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), and the Jaffrey-Rindge Cooperative School District (SAU #47). Organizations and schools from throughout the Monadnock Region and statewide will provide information about transition, higher education, and employment opportunities for young adults.

All are welcome – and the event will be particularly relevant to high school students with disabilities, families, college students and teachers from various relevant departments, educators, administrators, business and non-profit staff and leadership, and service providers.

During the event, Dan Habib will screen and discuss some of the INTELLIGENT LIVES films that document the experiences of students with disabilities transitioning from high school to career and/or higher education. Advisors for this project include national experts on effective practices in transition. In addition to Dan Habib, Garrett Shows will participate in the event, including the post-screening discussion. Garrett is featured in GARRETT SHOWS: I’M IN CHARGE, one of the short films that will be screened, and is a student at ConVal Regional High School in Peterborough, NH, participating in the Project SEARCH program.

The strategies and principles explored in the films and resource fair participants include:

• Person-centered planning/student-driven IEPs

• Self-advocacy/self-determination strategies and leadership development

• Inclusive education

• In-school supports such as vocational training and college/career counseling

• Community-based experiences such as extended learning opportunities, internships, work study, and apprenticeships

• Paid work experience and entrepreneurship development

• Family involvement and high expectations

• Higher education opportunities and supports

The Southwest Center for Educational Support will be offering .2 CEUs for this event.

Questions? Contact Lance Neeper: lance.neeper@keene.edu