1. Bridge to your future! Transitioning high school seniors with documented disabilities to college
Spencer Poling-Disability Services Counselor
Carla Blankenbuehler-Assistant Dean of Students
BridgeValley Community & Technical College

2. Todays topics Why we created this program
The Planning Process of a Transition Fair
Creating an Agenda & Workshops that are beneficial to students
Recruiting process from the college perspective
Getting your campus community involved

3. Why we created this?
The transition from high school to college can be challenging for most students. This transition can be even more challenging for students who have a documented disability. Each year BridgeValley CTC and the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS) hosts a transition fair for local high school seniors who have an IEP or 504 plan. The transition fair is a day full of workshops to benefit students, as well as introduce them to the college campus environment.

4. Population we serve Local High School Students IEP or 504 Plans
Students receiving support through Division of Rehabilitation services

5. Planning Process 3-5 meetings
Planning around both schools academic calendar
Knowing your time frame for your day
Services we are able to provide
Meeting the needs of students through workshops
Assigning tasks

6. WV Division of Rehabilitation Services' Role
Main contact with High School instructors
Inform students of the services they can provide
Workshops

7. Working with high school instructors
Maintain communication with instructors
Permission slips
Bus schedules
Dates work with their academic calendar

8. Planning the workshops
Information sessions about WV DRS Services
Interview skills demonstrations
Like Skills Workshops

9. College’s Role Campus Community Involvement College Student Panel
Information session about Disability Services at BridgeValley CTC

10. Campus community involvement
Reservations of classrooms
Working with our facilities department
Admissions tours
Advertisement throughout campus

11. College panel
Disability Services Counselor provides introductions and information
Students receiving accommodations through Disability Services
A “Thank You” for volunteering
Prep them with a discussion guide

12. College Panel Discussion Guide
State your name
Major
Disability (if you choose)
Accommodations you receive
How do your accommodations help you?
Differences between High School & College
Student life on campus

13. Resource fair Invite 3-5 vendors or more!
Information sessions for students about services
Networking for the vendors
Vendors
Fair Shake Network
West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services
Good Will Industries
Disability Rights of West Virginia
West Virginia Aging & Disability Resource Network

14. Gift bags & Giveaways Donations from both organizations
Gift bags for each student
Giveaways for one student from each school

15. Our learning experience
Planning around snow days
Best time in the school year to host Transition Fair
Planning around the number of expected students
Agenda is always in edit mode

16. Moving forward Involving other Schools Utilizing our other campus
Building our Resource Fair
Expanding on Workshops
Visiting classrooms after the Transition Fair

17. Questions?