Transition Leadership Institute, Auburn, AL

The Transition Leadership Academy provided our local transition team with leadership skills to direct local transition services.

Transition teams from around the state - consisting of transition professionals and consumers gathered for an intensive 3-day training and technical assistance program. This program included large group presentations, small group meetings, and networking and program development activities. The Transition Leadership Academy "TLA" offers assistance and guidance to transition practitioners and administrators as they set goals and develop plans to improve outcomes for students with disabilities in their secondary schools.

College Prep at Samford Univesity, Birmingham, AL

Students from Metro Birmingham area schools attended a "College Prep" program this summer at Samford University. This unique program, sponsored by Vocational Rehabilitation, helps prepare our college bound students. Chris Moore, Shelby Co. Work Instructor, spoke today about how dyslexia affected his life. See powerpoint for a personal testimony of how he  overcame obstacles that confronted him throughout his life and how he "turned stumbling blocks into stepping stones."
He offered sound advice including some of his favorite quotes: "Failure is a detour, not a dead end street", " If there is no wind ROW", and "The snail reaches the ark." His motivational testimony showed the students that all things are possible.

APSE Conference, Mobile, AL

On June 17th- 19th the Alabama APSE (Association of People Supporting Employment) and ACDD (Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities) Conference was held in Mobile, Alabama. Professionals in the disability arena as well as individuals with disabilities came together to not only learn but have fun.

 This year's conference featured a panel presentation featuring life challenges- tragedies and triumphs -told from the perspective of individuals with disabilities and their family members. Keynote speakers were Jeff Steinberg, (With his distinctive style of humor and song, reminded everyone that they are all a "Masterpiece in Progress"), Sue Swenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and Derrick Tennant (reminded us that while we all face significant obstacles in life, each can be used as an opportunity to become better and stronger. We have the choice to "Love our lives".) Daily breakout sessions were very informative and beneficial in educating service providers/stakeholders and those involved in disability advocacy

Touring Hibbett's Warehouse, Alabaster AL

Hibbett Sports
On June 3rd,  the Shelby Co. Work Instructors, along with members of the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, attended the 2nd quarter Industry Tour of Hibbett Distribution Center in Alabaster, Alabama. We learned about many exciting things that are taking place in this 412,000 ft. National distribution center.