10th Annual Transition Conference “Stepping Stones of Transition”

Stepping Stones of TransitionThe 10th Annual Transition Conference for high school aged students and young adults with disabilities, their family members and teachers, vocational professionals, caregivers, health care professionals, college students pursuing careers in special education and community advocates will be held in Springfield, Illinois on October 27-28, 2014.

The conference, titled “Stepping Stones of Transition” will be held at the Springfield Crowne Plaza and will invite participants to imagine the possibilities for students with disabilities in the areas of independent living, education and training, employment, community integration, health care, mental health, and self-advocacy. Conference sessions will be organized into 4 tracks: Education, Community, Employment and Health.

Monday, October 27, 2014 8:00 AM – Tuesday, October 28, 2014 1:00 PM

Where
Crowne Plaza Springfield
3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, Illinois 62703 USA

More Information
View Event Summary

View Event Fees

View Event Agenda

Last Date to Register!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014

MOPD: AccessChicago July 17, 2014

AccessChicagoAccessChicago: July 17, 2014, Navy Pier, Hall A, 10am – 5pm

AccessChicago is the perfect event for people with disabilities of all ages!

  • Test products, services and connect with community organizations to learn about available disability-related social services.
  • Take part in various adaptive sports and recreational demonstrations.
  • Learn about legal rights of people with disabilities.
  • Participate in a free health screening.

Besides exhibitors, AccessChicago brings a host of engaging activities that educate and entertain all ages. From bingo to basketball, petting zoos and magic, arts and craft etc. there’s bound to be something for everyone!  Great family event! Fun activities for children!

New This Year!
Attendees can sign up online in advance via Eventbrite! Click here to sign up for AccessChicago early to avoid lines, enter raffles, sign up for MOPD news alerts mailing lists, and more!
Exhibitors can now sell products and services at Access Chicago!

AccessChicago is FREE…and open to the public. So bring your family and/or your friends and make it a fun-filled day!

Testing and Related Education Forums

Wednesday, April 23, 7 – 8 pm:

Good Morning Mission Hill film screening
Francis Parker School, 330 W Webster, followed by a panel discussion on democratic education.

Thursday April 24, 6 – 9 pm:

DePaul School of Education Spring Forum,
DePaul Student Center, Room 120, 2250 N Sheffield.
Imagine a public school with a portfolio-based constructivist approach to teaching and learn, staff based decision-making and governance, modeled on democratic and progressive education principles, fostering active and engaged learning, with a broad and rich curriculum.

Saturday, April 26, 10 am to noon,

Chopin Theater, 1543 W. Division St.:
A Quality Education for Every Child, a Talk with Pasi Sahlberg
Raise Your Hand is sponsoring a talk by Pasi Sahlberg, the author of Finnish Lessons:What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland

Tuesday, April 29 at 6 pm

 More Than a Score testing forum, Changing the Stakes on Testing. Union Park, 1500 W Randolph.More here: http://pureparents.org/?p=21250

FRCD on CAN TV

Tune in every Thursday at 4pm -4:25pm for our a live call-in  talk show FRCD on CAN TV,  where we discuss special education rights, parent advocacy and resources for families of children with disabilities.

Want to ask a question on-air live ?

Call 312-738-1060 during the show and ask your questions.

15th Annual Spring Fling for Autism Awareness Resource Fair

To kick-off Autism Awareness Month, FRCD on CAN TV host, Paula Wills, interviewed Chicagoland’s Autism Connection CAC, Executive Director, Paul Butler, about CAC services and the 15th Annual Spring Fling for Autism Awareness Resource Fair on FRCD on CAN TV.

REGISTER

2014 “Spring Fling for Autism Awareness” Resource Fair
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Time: 8:00 AM-12:30 PM Chicago, IL
Bogan Computer Technical High School
3939 West 79th Street Chicago, IL 60652
http://www.chicagoautism.org/#sf

When you arrive at Bogan High School, please enter through the solid orange parking lot door located on Springfield Avenue (east side of the building) and report to the registration table.

2 Courses offered in Spanish this year!
CPDU CREDITS OFFERED FREE FOR EDUCATORS AND PROFESSIONALS- YOU MUST REGISTER!!

Autism Awareness Month: 7 Autism Events You Don’t Want to Miss.

Aside

April Autism Awareness MonthApril welcomes spring and Autism Awareness Month.  In recent news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1 in 68 American children have Autism and that number is expected to grow. In fact, Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S. Below are some upcoming  events and workshops that will help you understand Autism and parent advocacy.

Chicagoland Autism Connection

2014 “Spring Fling for Autism Awareness” Resource Fair
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Time: 8:00 AM-12:30 PM Chicago, IL
Bogan Computer Technical High School
3939 West 79th Street Chicago, IL 60652
http://www.chicagoautism.org/#sf

Autism Awareness Month Sensory Friendly Movie.

Saturday, April 5, 2014
Time: 11 AM–2 PM
810 Main Street, Highland, IL, United States

Sensory friendly movies have their lights up, sound turned down and audience members are welcome to move about and make noise. Regular concessions are also available. For more information call the UCP Heartland center for autism: 618-288-2218. To purchase tickets online or download a social script for going to the Lory please visit http://www.thelorytheater.com/autism-awareness-month-sensory-friendly-movie/

Easter Seals
Autism Awareness Event: Open House

Tue, April 8, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Easter Seals, Barney Drive, Joliet, IL, United States
Please contact Valerie Lentz with any questions at 815-927-5465

Family Resource Center on Disabilities

Navigating the IEP Process (Registration Required)
Time: 10 AM-1 PM
Saturday, April 12, 2014
11 E. Adams St. Suite 1002, Chicago, IL 60603
https://frcd.org/workshop_posts/test-workshop/

Autism Awareness Egg Hunt & Fun Activities

Saturday, April 12,2014
Time:1pm – 3pm
Kiwanis Park Road, Charleston, IL,
This event is for all children with autism and their siblings wish autism.
For more information please contact: Cheryl Sowers at cherylsowers@ctfillinois.org 217-348-3869 x206

Autism Society of Illinois/ CU Autism Network
Safety, Resource & Fun Fair

Time: 11:30 AM
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Hessel Park in Champaign, IL
http://www.autismillinois.org/events/event/autism-society-of-illinois-cu-autism-network-safety-resource-fun-fair/

Family Resource Center on Disabilities

Transition Series: Moving On: Life in the Community
Time: 10 AM-1 PM
Saturday, April 26, 2014
11 E. Adams St. Suite 1002, Chicago, IL 60603
https://frcd.org/workshop_posts/transition-plans-roadmaps-to-the-future/

 

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FRCD 2014 Tax Guide for Parents Available for Download

Family Resource Center on DisabilitiesAs the parent of a disabled child, you are entitled to many income tax deductions as “Medical Expenses” provided the expenses are made  to alleviate your child’s mental or physical condition.   Tax Guide for Parents of children with special needs.

The Autism Society of Illinois 10th Annual Parent and Professional Networking Conference

Autism Society of IllinoisAutism Society of Illinois 10th Annual Parent and Professional Networking Conference

Save The Date!

Saturday, March 15, 2014 8:30 am-4:30 pm

20 Different Speakers, 5 Different Tracks
Adults, Biomedical, Behavioral, Advanced, Advocacy
60 Plus Vendors!

Speakers include: Ann Rigby, Brian King, Marrera Winnega, Dr. Margret Creedon, Dr. Ashely Oshner, Sym Rankin, Dr. Usman, Kathy Gould, Sherri Schneider, Dave Geslak, Thomas Clark and More!

All attendees will receive lite breakfast, lunch and snack, attendance certificate and 8 CPDUs.

Purchase Tickets

(Please put in the Note Area what Lunch you would like, Turkey, Veggie or Beef)

Location: Lagrange Highlands Middle School, 1850 West Plainfield Road,
La Grange, IL 60525.

Contact: The Autism Society of Illinois at 630.691.1270 or email libby@autismillinois.org for more information. Please do not call the school for information.

This networking conference will help you gain information to assist in your quest to make a difference in your own life or in the lives of those whom you love, teach and support with Autism.
Download Conference Brochure

Department Releases New Guidance on Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services

Ed.govThe U.S. Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) released new guidance to help school systems and educators interpret and understand the major laws and best practices protecting student privacy while using online educational services.

The guidance summarizes the major requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) that relate to these educational services, and urges schools and districts to go beyond compliance to follow best practices for outsourcing school functions using online educational services, including computer software, mobile applications and web-based tools.  http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/department-releases-new-guidance-protecting-student-privacy-while-using-online-e