Please join BLaST IU17 and the Pennsylvania College of Technology as we present the biennial 2026 Transition Conference. We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
This event is open to Special Education High School students in grades 10-12 as well as parents, guardians, and other interested parties residing in Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties. We will be providing speakers and breakout sessions on the following pathways: Postsecondary Education and Training, Employment, and Community Engagement.
8:30 AM - 2 PM
Friday, October 16, 2026
Registration is set to open September 2026
Choose the transition pathway that's right for you!
8:30 - 9 AMCheck-In
9 - 9:10 AMWelcome
9:15 - 9:45 AMBlock 1
9:55 - 10:25 AMBlock 2
10:35 - 11:20 AMKeynote Speaker
11:30 AM - 12:15 PMLunch/VendorGroup 1: Lunch/Group 2: Vendor
12:15 - 1 PM Lunch/VendorGroup 2: Lunch/ Group 1: Vendor
1:10 - 1:40 PMBlock 3
1:45 - 2:00 PMSurvey Collection and Closing
Sean Forbes is a co-founder of the Deaf Professional Arts Network (D-PAN), an alumnus of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a professional musician, and a keynote speaker. As a Deaf individual, Sean overcame systemic barriers to build a successful career in the music and media industries. Today, he uses high-energy musical performances and accessible media design to create inclusive experiences. Through his keynote presentations and live shows, Sean inspires young adults, educators, and families by proving that entering the real world is a powerful opportunity to redefine what is possible.
Explore the variety of services, resources, and opportunities available at our conference Vendor Space! Each participant will select a designated block to visit the Vendor Space during registration.
Supports Brokering/HTTS-Person Directed Supports: Values Into Action (VIA) partners with Pennsylvanians with disabilities to promote independence, community inclusion, and self-directed lives. Through individualized supports, housing assistance, community engagement, and residential services, VIA helps people achieve their personal goals and fully participate in their communities.
Administer the PA ABLE program which empowers people with disabilities to save money while preserving benefits.
PIP helps students and families navigate the system, explore careers, and achieve their employment goals.
Disability and Access Resources at Penn College encourages qualified students with disabilities to fully participate in all college programs, activities and services. Students with disabilities can rely on the support of Disability and Access Resources to determine and develop plans for reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids and services that promote access.
Provide Eligibility information and Supports Coordination for individuals with Developmental Disabilities/ID/Autism
A therapeutic and mentorship program using drum therapy to provide an engaging, uplifting, and entertaining experiences for students and adults!
We create sustainable, person-centered programs and employment that enhance independence for individuals with unique visual capabilities. We are a resource for people with visual challenges through prevention, rehabilitation, and meaningful employment to increase individual empowerment and equality.
The largest free residential education and job training program for young adults ages 16–24. We connect you with the skills and education you need to get the career you want!
Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak is an elder care and special needs law firm offering quality representation to clients throughout Pennsylvania to achieve peace of mind by planning ahead for their second half of life offering the following services: Estate & Long-Term Care planning, Nursing Home Medicaid planning, Alzheimer & Dementia planning, Elder Care Navigation, Business Succession planning, Wealth Protection & Legacy planning, Guardianship & Special Needs planning, Retirement & Tax planning, Veterans Benefits planning and Estate Administration & Probate.
We provide employment services to individuals with barriers to employment. Our services help support students in establishing and strengthening their work readiness skills.
Provide in home and community supports to eligible individuals to ensure their health and safety.
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. We will be here to answer questions about our Admissions process, majors, and more!
Eligibility Determinations for individuals with ID, ASD, Developmental Delay, medically complex condition
Our program is a university certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities. The program focuses on career readiness and inclusive classes.
BLaST IU 17's BRIDGE Program is designed to help older students connect with others, foster independence, hone their interests, and gain valuable work experience before graduating. This innovative program includes both direct instruction within a classroom and practical work experience at local job sites. Our classroom program offers Post Secondary Transition support in a Life Skills setting at Sayre HS and Lycoming College.
Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation is a statewide nonprofit that helps people of all ages, all income levels and all disabilities and health conditions to get assistive technology (AT). This includes everything from an adapted vehicle to a hearing aid to a fence so a child with autism can safely play in their backyard. AT makes it possible for people to live independently, go to work and school, communicate, play, and be active in their communities. We help people find funding for the AT they want.
This is IUPs program that supports their students with autism. This includes academic and life coaching, supervised study sessions, and more.
PA’s Assistive Technology Act Program - TechOWL helps people with disabilities explore the tools and technology they need to be independent at school, work, and in the community.
Empowering people with all disabilities by providing: Resources, Options, And Disability related Services needed to obtain individual FREEDOM in their lives.
BLaST IU 17 is a local educational entity whose mission is to transform lives and communities through educational services.
Lycoming-Clinton Intellectual Disabilities/Autism Program provides a variety of services to assist individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism, and their families, to live and work in their home communities.
Students interested in additional education or training
| OVR 101 | Join us for an informational session on the Pre-Employment Transition Services offered by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). |
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| Financial Aid Basics | Learn how to apply for financial aid and understand the different types of financial aid that may be available to you. |
| Financial Literacy for College Students | Understand the difference between credit/debit cards, learn how to save money, and understand the topics of overspending, budgeting, and how identity theft can occur. |
| Opportunities in Today's Military | An overview of the employment, career opportunities, and benefits available by serving in any of the United States Military branches, including non-military contractors. |
| Job Corps information session | Information about the Job Corps program. We will discuss how to get enrolled, how to qualify and the benefits. |
| Career Exploration-Planning Your Future | Students will discuss the importance of finding the right career direction by a guided exploration and identify ways they can explore careers independently. |
| Apprenticeship as a Career Path | This session will explain Pre-Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, and how the "learn while you earn" model puts a person on a path to success in a new career. |
| College Transition Supports for Students with ASD | College students face challenges such as time management, balancing academics with personal responsibilities, developing social skills, and building friendships in a new environment. Unlike high school IEP accommodations, college accommodations are based on student self-advocacy and focus on providing equal access rather than modifying coursework or expectations. During this presentation, we will discuss helpful supports for student success and review the academic, accessibility, social, and wellness resources available at IUP's Labyrinth Center to help students thrive. |
| Campus Tours | Join us for a fun and interactive a tour of the Penn College campus! |
| Penn College Admissions - Everything You Need to Know | Get an overview of Penn College's hands-on applied technology education, the admissions process, and how Penn College prepares students to pursue their passions in their careers. Bring your questions for an open Q&A at the end. |
| You Were Made for This: Belonging Starts in the Body | Every student carries doubt. For students with disabilities navigating life after high school, that doubt often lives not just in the mind but in the body, showing up as anxiety, freeze, and the quiet belief that everyone else belongs here except you. In this session, you will learn where that voice comes from, why your nervous system keeps it loud, and walk away with real tools to quiet it and step into the spaces you were always meant to occupy. |
| #CollegePrep: Tips for Students with Disabilities | Obtain advice from College professionals on the differences in rights/responsibilities of students with disabilities from high school to college, the process to request accommodations/supports, and the importance of incorporating self-advocacy skills along the way! |
| Welcome to the Crimson Hawk Bridge! | Our program will introduce our new Crimson Hawk Bridge Program which is a college program for students with intellectual disabilities at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Our program is a two year career readiness program that features both career readiness training and inclusive classes on the IUP campus. |
| Effective Study Skills for College | Preparing for AP and college exams requires more than just memorizing terms and definitions. Join us to learn more about critical thinking strategies to apply and analyze course material as well as study skills. This workshop is ideal for students preparing for college. |
| Sleep: Why You Need It & How to Get It | The amount of sleep we get each night affects how well we learn, manage emotions, compensate for disabilities, fight disease and more. Come learn more about this vital aspect of our daily lives and how to manage it better. |
| Who Am I Beyond High School? | Graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, but many students are still discovering who they are and who they want to become. This interactive session will help participants identify their strengths, interests, values, and goals while exploring how those qualities can shape their future pathways in education, employment, and independent living. Students will leave with greater confidence in their unique abilities and a better understanding of how to make intentional decisions that align with their personal vision for life after high school. |
| Supporters as Transition Partners | This session will aim to provide practical tips and guidance for parents and supporters of individuals considering postsecondary education. Participants will be able to identify tested strategies for balancing the needs of a student with the demands of a postsecondary environment. |
| PA CareerLink and Bridges to the Future | The Bridges program supports Transition-aged youth to determine where their interests lie helping toward their goals after graduation, be it work, college, the military, etc. Learn more about job shadows, paid internships, and a camp about STEM careers where you get money for participating! |
| Level Up Your Independence: Finding the Right Tech for You | Discover how assistive technology can help you succeed at school, work, and in your community. Learn about TechOWL's Assistive Technology Lending Library, where you can borrow and try devices before deciding what works best for your needs. Explore tools that support independence, communication, organization, mobility, and more—at no cost to you. |
| The BRIDGE Program: Transitioning to Independence and Employability | The BRIDGE Program is an educational place for students age 17 up to age 22 who receive special education services and meet the eligibility requirements to work safely within a community, workplace, and educational setting. The program is led by a certified special education teacher and is designed to provide students with life skills, academic skills, and employability skills through both classroom and community/work-based experiences. |
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Students interested in going straight to the workforce
| Navigating the Transition to Employment: Practicing the ADA Accommodation Process Together | This session is designed to help both students and parents understand how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies in employment settings and how preparation and self advocacy play a critical role in successful transitions. Participants will leave feeling more prepared for the realities of the workplace accommodation process. |
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| OVR 101 | Join us for an informational session on the Pre-Employment Transition Services offered by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). |
| Entering the Workforce with PA ABLE | This session shares why 2026 opens a whole new era of opportunity for people with disabilities to enter the workforce, save money, and preserve their benefits. At a time when Pennsylvania is experiencing a workforce shortage, people with disabilities are invited to become part of the solution. |
| Opportunities in Today's Military | An overview of the employment, career opportunities, and benefits available by serving in any of the United States Military branches, including non-military contractors. |
| You Were Made for This: Belonging Starts in the Body | Every student carries doubt. For students with disabilities navigating life after high school, that doubt often lives not just in the mind but in the body, showing up as anxiety, freeze, and the quiet belief that everyone else belongs here except you. In this session, you will learn where that voice comes from, why your nervous system keeps it loud, and walk away with real tools to quiet it and step into the spaces you were always meant to occupy. |
| Career Exploration-Planning Your Future | Students will discuss the importance of finding the right career direction by a guided exploration and identify ways they can explore careers independently. |
| Who Am I Beyond High School? | Graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, but many students are still discovering who they are and who they want to become. This interactive session will help participants identify their strengths, interests, values, and goals while exploring how those qualities can shape their future pathways in education, employment, and independent living. Students will leave with greater confidence in their unique abilities and a better understanding of how to make intentional decisions that align with their personal vision for life after high school. |
| Level Up Your Independence: Finding the Right Tech for You | Discover how assistive technology can help you succeed at school, work, and in your community. Learn about TechOWL's Assistive Technology Lending Library, where you can borrow and try devices before deciding what works best for your needs. Explore tools that support independence, communication, organization, mobility, and more—at no cost to you. |
| MY Works Program | The MY Work Initiative is a summer employment program created by the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) with the goal of providing high school students with disabilities the opportunity to work for their local municipality. Student employment is at no cost to the municipality, as OVR will cover the wages for all student workers participating in the program. Per federal guidance, OVR has been evaluating all services and programs to ensure we can serve the most students with disabilities as possible. |
| Keep it Simple | In this session, we will discuss the approach of taking things in a more simplistic way for a more effective outcome. As a drummer and musician, our mindset is focused on serving the song. This translates directly with everyday life situations. With this approach, I will walk you through examples of being creative not just in a musical sense, but in how you live your life. |
| Sleep: Why You Need It & How to Get It | The amount of sleep we get each night affects how well we learn, manage emotions, compensate for disabilities, fight disease and more. Come learn more about this vital aspect of our daily lives and how to manage it better. |
| Job Corps information session | Information about the Job Corps program. We will discuss how to get enrolled, how to qualify and the benefits. |
| Adulting can be fun with cool AT! | Assistive technology is not just for work and school. It can be fun! Learn about assistive technology for hunting, fishing, boating, and trekking through the woods. Maybe gaming is your obsession. Learn about AT for gaming! Once you've found your thing, let's talk about how to find funding to get those new toys. |
| PA CareerLink and Bridges to the Future | The Bridges program supports Transition-aged youth to determine where their interests lie helping toward their goals after graduation, be it work, college, the military, etc. Learn more about job shadows, paid internships, and a camp about STEM careers where you get money for participating! |
| The BRIDGE Program: Transitioning to Independence and Employability | The BRIDGE Program is an educational place for students age 17 up to age 22 who receive special education services and meet the eligibility requirements to work safely within a community, workplace, and educational setting. The program is led by a certified special education teacher and is designed to provide students with life skills, academic skills, and employability skills through both classroom and community/work-based experiences. |
| Apprenticeship as a Career Pathway | This session will explain Pre-Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, and how the "learn while you earn" model puts a person on a path to success in a new career. |
| Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 |
|---|---|---|
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Students interested in engaging within their community
| You Were Made for This: Belonging Starts in the Body | Every student carries doubt. For students with disabilities navigating life after high school, that doubt often lives not just in the mind but in the body, showing up as anxiety, freeze, and the quiet belief that everyone else belongs here except you. In this session, you will learn where that voice comes from, why your nervous system keeps it loud, and walk away with real tools to quiet it and step into the spaces you were always meant to occupy. |
|---|---|
| OVR 101 | Join us for an informational session on the Pre-Employment Transition Services offered by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). |
| Legal Concerns in Transitioning to Adulthood | Parents/guardians will learn about the legal tools an individual with special needs and their family have available, including essential estate planning documents such as: Power of Attorneys, Guardianships, Special Needs Trusts, Third-Party Trusts, and ABLE Accounts. SSI & SSDI and MAWD will also be discussed. |
| Keep it Simple | A variety of engaging topics for individuals looking/preparing for what's next in life while demonstrating these ideals through percussion. |
| I'm not ready for college, yet? | Discuss with students steps they should be taking to prepare themselves for college, in all aspects. |
| Adulting can be fun with cool AT! | Assistive technology is not just for work and school. It can be fun! Learn about assistive technology for hunting, fishing, boating, and trekking through the woods. Maybe gaming is your obsession. Learn about AT for gaming! Once you've found your thing, let's talk about how to find funding to get those new toys. |
| Who Am I Beyond High School? | Graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter, but many students are still discovering who they are and who they want to become. This interactive session will help participants identify their strengths, interests, values, and goals while exploring how those qualities can shape their future pathways in education, employment, and independent living. Students will leave with greater confidence in their unique abilities and a better understanding of how to make intentional decisions that align with their personal vision for life after high school. |
| Financial Literacy | Understand the difference between credit/debit cards, learn how to save money, and understand the topics of overspending, budgeting, and how identity theft can occur. |
| Skills Summer Work Program | Join us as we discuss the Skills Summer Work Program as we learn about the schedule, curriculum, activities and what the students will learn through this experience. Open to residents in Lycoming County. |
| Level Up Your Independence: Finding the Right Tech for You | Discover how assistive technology can help you succeed at school, work, and in your community. Learn about TechOWL's Assistive Technology Lending Library, where you can borrow and try devices before deciding what works best for your needs. Explore tools that support independence, communication, organization, mobility, and more—at no cost to you. |
| Sleep: Why You Need It & How to Get It | The amount of sleep we get each night affects how well we learn, manage emotions, compensate for disabilities, fight disease and more. Come learn more about this vital aspect of our daily lives and how to manage it better. |
| The BRIDGE Program: Transitioning to Independence and Employability | The BRIDGE Program is an educational place for students age 17 up to age 22 who receive special education services and meet the eligibility requirements to work safely within a community, workplace, and educational setting. The program is led by a certified special education teacher and is designed to provide students with life skills, academic skills, and employability skills through both classroom and community/work-based experiences. |
| Your Rights and Less Restrictive Alternatives to Guardianship | In Pennsylvania, alternatives to guardianship allow individuals to keep their rights while getting support with decisions. Common options include supported decision-making agreements, powers of attorney, representative payees, advance directives, and trusts, all of which let a person choose trusted helpers instead of a court-appointed guardian. These options are less restrictive and are encouraged before pursuing full or limited guardianship. |
| Navigating the System | Navigating the Intellectual and Developmental Disability system for Transition age students can be a confusing process. This session will provide parents/guardians insight and answers on how to do so successfully. |
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