Several IIDC staff will be presenting this week at Facing the Future Together, the statewide transition conference for employment professionals, secondary teachers and transition coordinators, students and young adults, and families. The virtual conference, hosted and facilitated by the Center on Community Living and Careers (CCLC), takes place July 21-23. Participants will be welcomed by CCLC Director Judith Gross, who will introduce keynote speakers and breakout session presenters from around the country and from state agencies, adult providers, and educators here in Indiana.

Center on Community Living and Careers team members presenting include:

• Cecilia Buckley, who will be co-presenting with Alexus Lucas and members of Indiana University’s Neurodiversity Coalition. Their presentation is “Neurodiversity: How to Promote and Foster a Culture of Inclusivity for Neurodivergent Individuals.
• Brady Powers, who will be co-presenting with Amy Corbin from the Indiana ABLE Authority on “Transition-Age Youth, Benefits, and ABLE Accounts.”
• Mike Nevins and Cathlene Hardy Hansen, who will lead a meeting of the Indiana Cadres of Transition Leaders.
• Anne Higley, whose presentation “Demystifying (even a little bit) the Benefits Application Maze,” describes the realities of applying for Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicaid waivers for individuals and families in transition.
• Adria Nassim, who will share her transition experiences in “Alone Together: Redefining Independence.”

Center on Education and Lifelong Learning staff will be:

• Brooke Harris Garad, who will explain to attendees that “Sometimes We Are the Barriers: Approaching Transition with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Mind.”

IIDC Administration staff presenting are:

• Joel Fosha and Sharon Soto, who are co-presenting with Vicky Johnson from AWS Foundation. Their presentation is “Using FINDER to Locate Disability Resources and Supports in Indiana.
•  Teresa Grossi, who is co-presenting with Indiana Resource Center for Autism team members Cathy Pratt and Betty Lou Rowe on “What Students Say About Mental Health and Student-Led Mental Health Clubs.”

Indiana Resource Center for Autism staff presenting are:

• Cathy Pratt and Betty Lou Rowe, who, in addition to their presentation on mental health for high school students, will also co-present on “How to Live a Quality Life After High School."
• Amy Gaffney, who will take attendees through “Evidence-Based Strategies to Support People as They Transition to Adulthood.”

Center for Health Equity staff will lead two presentations:

• Lydia Hamilton, Jane Harlan-Simmons, Melissa Dubie, and Don Dumayas will discuss “Sexual Health Education Needs and Individuals with Disabilities.”
• Matt Norris, explains the importance of policy to transition and adult life, in “The Americans with Disabilities Act: 31 Years of Disability Rights in Employment and Community Life.”

Tuesday, July 20 is the final day to register for the conference. Register nowand read about other presentations on the conference agenda page at Facing the Future Togetheron the CCLC website.