Presentation Recordings
Tackling Transition Topics
The D86 Transition Program collaborates with surrounding districts to put on monthly seminars around important transition topics.
*Ofrecemos interpretacion en Español*
Seminars are typically held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM on Zoom.
2025-2026 Zoom Link
If you would like to be added to the email list to be notified about upcoming meetings, please email Ashley at aprincip@hinsdale86.org.
2025-2026 Seminars
- Making the Most of Transition
- West Suburban Options Fair
- Post-School Vocational Supports - Nov 19, 2025
- RTA - Jan 21, 2026
- Funding Pt. 1: SSI, SSDI, ABLE Accounts - Feb 18, 2026
- Funding Pt. 2: Medicaid Waivers - Mar 18, 2026
- Parent Supports: Respite & Support Groups - Apr 15, 2026
Making the Most of Transition
Heather Riggs, a special education transition teacher and facilitator, blogger, resource creator, and Illinois benefits connector, will walk you through the process of preparing your child for life beyond school. Find out how you can be an active participant in creating a successful transition journey tailored to your child's needs.
View the recording here.
Access the presentation slides here.
West Suburban Options Fair
Check out the Options Fair website: https://optionsfair.org/
Below are links to the 2025 vendor booklet, along with their website and contact information.
Post-School Vocational Supports - Nov 19, 2025
Join us to hear from 2 organizations about vocational training supports for adults with disabilities. Chloe Suter from Project SEARCH will present about eligibility and programming at Central DuPage Hospital. Cassidy Caput and Craig Perryman from Little Friends, Inc. will present about employment supports as well as Ken's Krew, their vocational program partnership with Home Depot.
RTA - Jan 21, 2026
Funding Pt. 1: SSI, SSDI, ABLE Accounts - Feb 18, 2026
Funding Pt. 2: Medicaid Waivers - Mar 18, 2026
Parent Supports: Respite & Support Groups - Apr 15, 2026
2024-2025 Seminars
- Transition: What to Expect
- RTA (ADA w/ Uber, Paratransit)
- IL ABLE Accounts
- School-Based Services vs. Adult Services
- ASPIRE - Employment Training Program: Distribution
- Funding Pt. 1 - Medicaid Waiver Programs
- Funding Pt. 2 - SSI, SSDI, Special Needs Trusts
- Ray Graham Association
Transition: What to Expect
Join us for a family night dedicated to understanding the transition planning process! Learn what steps are involved in preparing your child for life beyond school and who will be there to support you every step of the way. Find out how you can be an active participant in creating a successful transition plan tailored to your child’s needs.
View the recording here.
View the Powerpoint presentation here.
RTA (ADA w/ Uber, Paratransit)
RTA does not allow recording of their presentations. Below are notes taken by staff and the links provided by the presenter to find more information about travel training, reduced-fare and free-ride permits, Paratransit, and Rideshare Access Programs (RAP) with Uber, UZURV.
Access the presentation notes here.
- Online application portal: fares.rtachicago.org
- Digital library with applications and brochures: https://www.
rtachicago.org/riders/travel- assistance-digital-library - ADA Paratransit: Call (312) 663-4357 for more info!
- More on the Uber Rap Program: https://www.uber.com/
blog/using-uber-your-guide-to- the-pace-rap-program/ - To inquire about the ADA Paratransit Coverage area for a particular location you can call Pace at: 1 (847) 364-7223 option 3
- Flowchart: Which Fare Program is right for you?
IL ABLE Accounts
Illinois ABLE “Achieving a Better Life Experience” Accounts give people with disabilities and their families greater financial independence while preserving benefits. Rosemary Laudani, Manager of Illinois ABLE with the Illinois State Treasurer’s office will provide us details about this great program!
View the recording here.
School-Based Services vs. Adult Services
Laura Gonzalez from UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago will speak about the differences between ENTITLEMENT-based school services for individuals with disabilities versus adult services where individuals must be found ELIGIBLE.
View the recording here.
ASPIRE - Employment Training Program: Distribution
Aspire's mission is to connect people with disabilities to ever-greater possibilities for learning, jobs, and safe places to call home. We work alongside people with developmental disabilities to open doors and amplify possibilities. Aspire's NEW Employment Training Program: Distribution equips people with the skills they need to thrive in the distribution and logistics industry.
View the recording here.
Funding Pt. 1 - Medicaid Waiver Programs
Megan Turner will give an overview about the many Medicaid Waiver Programs in Illinois. Our students generally seek funding from DRS Home Services, DDD Home Based Funding and/or CILA and DSCC-Division of Specialized Care for Children. They can be easily confused but are all sources of DHS funding in the State of Illinois. Participants will learn the differences between the programs as well as when they can be utilized for people with disabilities.
View the recording here.
Funding Pt. 2 - SSI, SSDI, Special Needs Trusts
During the session, participants will learn about eligibility for adults to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The presenter will also be discussing the purpose of Special Needs Trusts and an ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account and why they may be beneficial.
View the recording here.
Ray Graham Association
During this session, Ray Graham staff will present about programming options they offer for adults and children with disabilities. These programs include: recreational opportunities, housing options, and day programming options, Employment, Family Support and Behavioral Health Services.
View the recording here.
2023-2024 Recordings
- College Experience Programs
- Transition: What to Expect
- Recreational Day Programs
- Government Benefits: Social Security
- Waiver Funding: DRS vs. Home-Based Services
- Trauma
- Relationships, Dating, & Sexual Health
- Supported Decision Making, POA, & Guardianship
College Experience Programs
These programs allow students to attend college, be on campus with their peers, and be a part of the college experience.
- College of DuPage COACH Program
- Elmhurst University ELSA Program
- National Louis University PACE Program
- Aurora Pathways
PACE, COACH, and ELSA are for non-degree seeking students focusing on vocational and life skills. Pathways is for degree-seeking students with Autism from Aurora University.
| School | Program | Person | |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of DuPage | COACH | Tracy Kline | klinet940@cod.edu |
| College of DuPage | Autismerica | Dr. Michael Duggan | duggan@cod.edu |
| Elmhurst University | ELSA | Tim Ahlberg | ahlbergt@elmhurst.edu |
| National Louis University | PACE | Alexandra Baig | abaig2@nl.edu |
| Aurora University | Pathways | Jessica "JJ" Jensen | jjensen@aurora.edu |
View the recording here.
Transition: What to Expect
Meet Rachel Merke, a dedicated Transition Coordinator with a passion for guiding students and their families towards a successful future. With over a decade of experience working with transition aged youth, Ms. Merke has developed comprehensive transition plans that empower students to smoothly navigate the journey from school to post-secondary life. Her presentation will focus on the purpose of transition planning and explore potential outcomes.
View the recording here. Passcode: g.h39xS#
Access the handouts here.
Recreational Day Programs
These programs provide in-house and community-based activities. Representatives from the programs will talk about the day services they provide, their ideal clientele, how to apply, and funding options.
View the recording here.
Government Benefits: Social Security
Attorney Stacey Dembo will present "What Parents of Transition Age (18-22) Students Need to Know about Social Security." The Social Security process can be intimidating for many families and Stacey will help demystify the process. She will share information that parents need to know about the different Social Security benefit programs available to people with disabilities, the Social Security application and appeal processes, SSI financial eligibility requirements, and Disabled Adult Child eligibility.
View the recording here. Passcode: f781wq?2
Access the Powerpoint here. Access the 2024 SSI Deeming Chart here.
Waiver Funding: DRS vs. Home-Based Services
Heather will give an overview about the many Medicaid Waiver Programs in Illinois. Our students generally seek funding from DRS Home Services, DDD Home Based Funding and/or CILA and DSCC-Division of Specialized Care for Children. They can be easily confused but are all sources of DHS funding in the State of Illinois. Participants will learn the differences between the programs as well as when they can be utilized for people with disabilities.
View the recording here.
Access the Canva presentation here.
Access the clickable and scannable QR codes from the presentation here.
Trauma
This presentation will focus on trauma-informed care to build parent resilience through education of better understanding what trauma is, its impact, and what supports to provide in responding to those affected by trauma.
View the recording here.
Relationships, Dating, & Sexual Health
Liz Witman from Teen Parent Connection will present on how to talk to young adults about relationships, dating and sexual health, why it's important to explicitly talk about these topics, and considerations for young adults with disabilities.
View the recording here.
Supported Decision Making, POA, & Guardianship
Heather from A Love for Special Learning will explain the following topics and considerations for how to make the most appropriate choices for your family.
-
Letter of Intent
-
Supported Decision Making
-
Power of Attorney
-
Guardianship and how to file at your local courthouse
View the recording here.
Access the presentation materials here.