PADUCAH — The West Kentucky Education Cooperative's Transition Fair provided and gave opportunities for local juniors and seniors in high school who have learning differences. Through the event, the students participated in workshops on topics like technology, money management and mental health.
The West Kentucky Education Cooperative's Transition Fair provided and gave opportunities for local juniors and seniors in high school who have intellectual disabilities. Through the event, the students participated in workshops on topics like technology, money management and mental health.
Through events like this one, kids are equipped to transition smoothly after high school into vocational schools or college, or even a job.
Organizers said for students with learning differences, it's empowering to have these options and to grow into their potential as adults.
More than 100 kids and teachers chatted and enjoyed some lunch Wednesday at Paducah's Convention Center during the fair. They learned skills that will help them in the future.
"Sometimes when you're dealing with students with disabilities, they hear a lot of they can't or by the time that they're ready to graduate school, they feel like they have been unsuccessful in certain areas," said Laura Miller, a professional learning coach.
"Sometimes when you're dealing with students with disabilities, they hear a lot of they can't or by the time that they're ready to graduate school, they feel like they have been unsuccessful in certain areas," said Laura Miller, a professional learning coach.
The kids at the fair have diagnoses like ADHD, learning disabilities in math and reading, and some are on the autism spectrum.
Jonathan Chase is a keynote speaker at the fair and is a musician. He's also a disability advocate and was diagnosed with autism at 14.
"One of the biggest challenges I see in our disability community is that we set expectations so low for so many people who have potential," said Chase. "Our whole system is deficit based so we put all the emphasis on what can't you do, what is hard for you, what are your challenges."
Jonathan Chase is a keynote speaker at the fair and is a musician. He's also a disability advocate and was diagnosed with autism at 14.
Some of the vendors represented included the Army and West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Community Financial Services Bank and U.S. Bank gave presentations on money management, and workshops covered topics like mental health and technology.
"They can still get accommodations and assistance in the workplace and in higher education, which sometimes without days like this, they don't know these type of things are available and they don't know how to access them so it's really all about empowerment," said Miller.
The fair is a two-day event; on Thursday, the fair will be in Hopkinsville.
Schools that participated in the fair included Graves and Ballard Counties, Paducah Tilghman High School and Fulton City Schools.
