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Students with disabilities can get college, career help this week, thanks to KC mom

Kansas City Star - 4/13/2022

Apr. 13—A lot of kids in Kansas City are approaching the end of their time in high school. Anxiety and fear about what comes next are slowly creeping into their minds as this chapter comes to a close.

The next step after high school looks different for a lot of students aiming to find the path that is the best fit for them.

Kim Riley had a high school senior facing this next step while also dealing with a disability. She knew that support would be important for students with disabilities navigating this next chapter, so she put together a career and college fair designed to do just that.

Riley is the founder of The Transition Academy, an organization dedicated to college and career planning for students with disabilities, and on Thursday, April 14, she's hosting Kansas City's first DiversAbility College and Career Fair.

"We want students to know that if they feel overwhelmed and worried about the future, they are not alone," Riley said in a statement. "So many parents feel this way, but we're going to help them see all the possibilities available to them."

Starting at 3 p.m. at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley's Education Center, the college and career fair will host more than 30 representatives from universities and employers to help students plan their next steps.

Participants will be able to talk with college admissions counselors and also apply for jobs on the spot.

WHAT'S THE SCHEDULE?

There's a few sessions on the agenda for the fair:

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"Everything You Need To Know About Getting the Benefits You Need To Be Successful After High School," starts at 4 p.m. with presenters Jennifer Seidel of Empower Individuals Through Advocacy & Support and Georgia Mueller of Visioneer DD Benefits Navigation.

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"Be The Change" starts at 5 p.m., which will showcase organizations developed by parents to provide post-graduate opportunities for students with disabilities. Some of the organizations are The Farmer's House and Autism Grows.

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Also at 5 p.m. is a presentation titled "Discovering Personal Genius," which will show how families can work with young children with disabilities to find their talents and help them grow. This is hosted by Amber Buck, who is the community outreach and inclusion coordinator at Piper School District, and Michelle Mitchell, who has a sophomore with autism at the Kauffman School.

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"College Success" starts at 6 p.m. It's a panel featuring families who have children with autism. They'll share their experiences moving through college with a disability.

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The last panel is "Entrepreneurship" and it shares the benefits of self-employment for young adults with disabilities. The panel includes Jonah Taylor and his parents. Taylor is nonverbal, has autism and owns Jonah Vending, which places vending machines across Kansas City.

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

If you're interested in attending, you'll sign up here. You have to reserve your spot ahead of time. Anyone can attend, but you have to register before it starts.

WHO IS GOING TO BE THERE?

As mentioned before, over 30 representatives from universities and careers will be in attendance, including:

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AbilityKC

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Ameristar Casino Kansas City

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Center for Developmentally Disabled

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Children's Mercy

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Department of Mental Health — Kansas City's regional office

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E3 Scholarship Fund

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Easterseals Midwest

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Educational Opportunity Center

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EITAS

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Hulme Resources Inc.

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Job One

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Kansas Center For Autism Research and Training

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Kansas Pre-Employment Transition Services

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Kansas Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities

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Missouri Assistive Technology

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Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation

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Mobility First

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MPACT

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Nova Center

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Platte County Board of Services

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ReDiscover

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Sherwood Autism Center

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Smart Steps

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SOAR Special Needs

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The Farmer's House

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The Whole Person

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THRIVE

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TNC Community

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Unity Village

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University Health — New Frontiers

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University of Missouri-Columbia's Pre-Employment Transition Services

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University of Missouri-Kansas City

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University of Missouri-St. Louis Succeed Program

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