Providing technical assistance to support youth and young adults with disabilities and their Families during Transition
About RAISE
In 2014, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), a parent-led and family-centered non-profit parent training and information center (PTI), was funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to provide support to Parent Training and Information Centers in helping individuals with disabilities transition into adulthood.
RAISE was funded by a national grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to provide technical assistance and support to eight (8) RSA Parent Centers.
New Resources and Quick Access
Transition Alphabet Soup! Find out what these acronyms mean?→
Plain Language Made It Easy
RAISE and PEATC collaborated to develop this resource guide and video in English and Spanish to assist people in making their documents accessible to everyone.
- The Importance of Using Plain Language explains how plain language makes information easier for people to read and to understand. En Espanol *
-
Using Plain Language Video explains how using plain language makes it easier for people to understand. En Espanol *
Readable Print
These resource provide information on how to make printed text the most visually accessible.
- Creating Readable Print Materials explains the rules that will make text readable for everyone, including people with reading, language, or visual disabilities and their families.*
- Creating Readable Text is a video shows how to create readable print material *
Stay Up To Date with RAISE
The Standard Newsletter is the official publication from RAISE.
The STANDARD: 10.1, December 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we look at postsecondary education and college accommodations
The STANDARD: 9.9, October 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we look at emergency preparedness and the importance of teaching skills for planning during the transition years.
A New Parent Training Resource: Helping Families See Possibilities in Employment
A RAISE Center Webinar in collaboration with REAL Transition Partners.
There is growing momentum to promote competitive employment as the preferred outcome of secondary transition services, and to make sure that individuals with disabilities have access to employment opportunities after high school. To realize this vision, families will need support to help them embrace the benefits of their loved ones having a real job in the community. RAISE, in partnership with TransCen, has developed a new parent training resource designed to help advocates, educators, and disability professionals connect with families and highlight the possibilities found in employment.
This “train the trainer” session will provide content information and delivery strategies related to using the materials effectively. Key topics include understanding the value of employment, examining families expectations, building work skills and addressing family concerns. If you are a parent trainer, or if you just want to have better conversations with families about employment, this session is for you.
Date: Monday, Nov 6th, 2023
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET
Presenters: Sean Roy, TransCen Inc.
Sean Roy is the Chief Innovation and Training Officer for TransCen Inc. In this position he works to provide training and technical assistance to states, employment professionals and schools, leading to improved success for individuals with disabilities who are transitioning from school into the workforce and life in the community. Sean is an experienced curriculum developer, writer, trainer and presenter, often being asked to speak to professionals and families about issues of employment, accessing postsecondary education, and promoting family involvement in employment and transition planning. Sean has over 20 years experience, including many years as a parent advocate, and draws from lessons learned having a sibling with a developmental disability.
ASL interpretation & Spanish interpretation will be offered!
Sign up for The Standard Newsletter and other useful RAISE resources and information.
Webinars and Events
RAISE hosts a number of engaging and informative webinars and events through out the year. We invite you to join us for professional development, virtual learning, networking and more.
A New Parent Training Resource: Helping Families See Possibilities in Employment
A RAISE Center Webinar in collaboration with REAL Transition Partners.
There is growing momentum to promote competitive employment as the preferred outcome of secondary transition services, and to make sure that individuals with disabilities have access to employment opportunities after high school. To realize this vision, families will need support to help them embrace the benefits of their loved ones having a real job in the community. RAISE, in partnership with TransCen, has developed a new parent training resource designed to help advocates, educators, and disability professionals connect with families and highlight the possibilities found in employment.
This “train the trainer” session will provide content information and delivery strategies related to using the materials effectively. Key topics include understanding the value of employment, examining families expectations, building work skills and addressing family concerns. If you are a parent trainer, or if you just want to have better conversations with families about employment, this session is for you.
Date: Monday, Nov 6th, 2023
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET
Presenters: Sean Roy, TransCen Inc.
Sean Roy is the Chief Innovation and Training Officer for TransCen Inc. In this position he works to provide training and technical assistance to states, employment professionals and schools, leading to improved success for individuals with disabilities who are transitioning from school into the workforce and life in the community. Sean is an experienced curriculum developer, writer, trainer and presenter, often being asked to speak to professionals and families about issues of employment, accessing postsecondary education, and promoting family involvement in employment and transition planning. Sean has over 20 years experience, including many years as a parent advocate, and draws from lessons learned having a sibling with a developmental disability.
ASL interpretation & Spanish interpretation will be offered!
Tools and Strategies for Independent Living Advocates Mentoring Families of Children with Disabilities
A Webinar Collaboration of The National Council on Independent Living and The National Resources for Access, Independence, Self-determination and Employment (RAISE) Technical Assistance Center
Parent-led organizations and disability-led Centers for Independent Living have a shared objective of facilitating the transition of youth with disabilities to post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. Join this webinar to hear from a panel with lived experience about how families and CILs can collaborate to support the self-determination, empowerment, and independent living goals of youth preparing for and experiencing transition.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
· The role of parent-led organizations in educating families about how to support self-determination, empowerment, and independent living goals.
· The role of Centers for Independent Living in communicating to families the independent living philosophy and how to support their transitioning youth’s self-determination and empowerment.
· How disability-led CILs can work with parent-led organizations to facilitate the self-determination, empowerment, and independent living goals of youth preparing for and experiencing transition.
· Strategies for assisting youth to maintain self-determination when their families work against their goals.
Date: Monday, September 25th, 2023
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET
Presenters:
Wednesday Jones, Employment and Financial Literacy Specialist, Able SC Center for Independent Living
Dawn Monaco, Program Director for Youth Engagement, Project Director for REAL Transition Partners at the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, National Advisory Board Member for the Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice.
Mary-Kate Wells, Program Director at the National Council on Independent Living.
ASL interpretation & Spanish interpretation will be offered!