TOMORROW: UNDERSTANDING YOUR RIGHTS AS A TRANSITION STUDENT

Confused about your rights as a student in transition?

Have questions about school practices, responsibilities and the law?

Looking for resources and contacts?

Need expert opinion and guidance on school-related issues?

Want to connect with other students and families?

As part of its commitment to demystifying the transition process for adults with disabilities, Independence Northwest is partnering with Disability Rights Oregon to bring you a great resource in the month of October. Susana Ramirez, the Special Education Advocate for Disability Rights Oregon, will be presenting “Understanding Your Rights as a Transition Student”. The training is designed for students and their families as well as professionals interested in learning about increasing their advocacy skills.

Join us Wednesday October 27th from 4 – 6pm at the Independence Northwest office located at 541 NE 20th Avenue Suite 103 in Portland. We’re just off Glisan and 20th in the Jantzen Building.

Please take a moment to RSVP so we know you’ll be joining the conversation. Contact Summer Rose at Independence Northwest via phone (503.546.2950) or email (summer.rose@independencenw.org) to register. You can RSVP via Facebook here. This presentation is FREE and light refreshments will be served.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Susana Ramírez has been advocating for the rights of children and adults with disabilities with Disability Rights Oregon for the last 9 years.  Susana brings a skill set combining her personal experiences as a parent advocate at the state and national level and her professional expertise in special education law and community organizing.

OCT 16: Preparing for Adulthood – Social Security, Benefits Planning and Guardianship

Announcing an upcoming workshop for high school transitioning students and their families.

In collaboration with Project Employ, Family and Community Together (FACT) will be hosting Preparing for Adulthood—SSI/SSDI, Benefits Planning, and Guardianship,” on Saturday, October 16, 2010, from 9am – 1pm, at the Arc of Washington County—4450 SW 184th Avenue in Aloha, 97007.

This FREE workshop is open to ALL interested families in the Tri-County Metro.

  • Alan Edwards from the Social Security Administration will be presenting information on SSI/SSDI.
  • Eugene Rada from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS), Competitive Employment Project, will speak on benefits planning—preserving an individual’s benefits while pursuing employment.
  • A parent panel will share their perspectives as each came to their decisions of pursuing or not pursuing guardianship.

OCT 12: Navigating High School Transition – Beaverton

ARRO Westside Family and Community Center
2360 SW 170th Ave, Beaverton, Oregon

Tuesday, October 12 th
6:30-8:00 PM

ARRO (Autism Research and Resources of Oregon) will be hosting a panel discussion on high school transition for teens with Autism.  The panel will feature Jonathan Chase, Peter Fitzgerald, and David Abramowitz, discussing the ins and outs of transition out of high school and into adulthood as it relates to teens with Autism.  Topics will include pre-high school planning, writing long-term goals into an IEP, eligibility and services in high school, and how the various agencies and services interact with families and the public school system.  The panel will also be taking questions and offering advice specific to the laws in the state of Oregon.

Jonathan Chase is an adult with Asperger’s Syndrome and a member of the Autism Society of Oregon’s board of directors.  Peter Fitzgerald works with the Youth Transition Program with the University of Oregon and has over 30 years of experience as a special ed teacher and transition specialist.  David Abramowitz also has over 30 years of experience working with transition-age teens and their families in the Eugene school district.  Jonathan, Peter, and David all serve on the Transition Subcommittee on the Oregon Commission on ASD.

This event is open to the public and will offer information helpful to parents of children with Autism who are currently in high school or looking ahead to high school in the future.  Teens and adults with ASD, service providers, and professionals are welcome to attend and ask questions. The forum will be held at the ARRO Westside Family and Community Center and a $5 donation is suggested, but not required, to help support our efforts to support the autism community and develop resources that meet the needs of our families and individuals with autism throughout their life and throughout the spectrum of ability.  Handouts, refreshments, and coffee will be available.

Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVP’s would be appreciated.  Please email Jonathan@JonathanChase.Net if you plan to attend or have any questions.