Transition IEP Lunch and Learn Event
Transition IEP Parent Panel - Online Lunch and Learn
This is the last opportunity students have for services and we want to arm families on how to advocate for meaningful services.
Topics covered will include:
- DDA service during transition years 16 - 21
- Pre-vocational Support starting at 16
- Resources and IEP Goals examples / personal journeys and tips to best support your loved one
- DVR - what and when to ask for services
Presenters
Sue Adelman
Sue Adelman is an advocate/ally/co-conspirator for a diverse and inclusive
society. Parent to 3 young adults including Devon, 24yrs old born with Down syndrome.
She is part of the faculty at the University of Washington’s Leadership Education in
Neurodevelopment and Related Disabilities (UW LEND) in the Family Discipline, working to inform new health professionals about the importance of Family/Person-centered care and fostering advocacy in others. When not working she enjoys hanging out with family, baking, and SUPing with the pups.
Hodan Farah
Hodan Farah is the Founder and Executive
Director of Washington Multicultural Services Link is a non-profit organization supporting families with children and adults with disabilities and special health care needs.
My middle child was born in 2003 and 14 months later was diagnosed with intellectual disability, visual impairment, and seizure disorder. That was the hardest news I had to hear. I had never heard of intellectual disabilities during that time period and I had no idea how I was going to help my daughter navigate life, living with a disability. Furthermore, having disabilities was and still is taboo topics in my community and I didn’t have the community's support to navigate what was devastating news to me. I had to learn to look for resources for my daughter on my own.
This experience made me feel isolated and lonely, I had to do research on my own and learn how to advocate for my daughter. Through this experience, I met families who had the same needs as me and who unlike me, had language barriers that prevented them from seeking the help they needed for their children
Devon
Devon is an advocate, poet, and public speaker, using her voice to celebrate diversity, work for inclusion and protect our environment. She is a lab/office aid at Universal
Cells, a biotech company in Seattle. She graduated from Highline College’s Achieve program (2017) and Nathan Hale high school (2015). She is a Best Buddies Ambassador, a 4 sport gold medal special Olympian, and a master of public transportation.
When not working she enjoys broadway shows, Peloton, and journaling.
Katrina Davis
Katrina Davis is a mother of two children and a career advocate in family support and social services who brings a blend of personal and professional expertise to Seattle Children’s Autism Center where she works as a Family Advocate / Case Manager.
With a background in public health including a B.A. in Community Health, extensive experience in public health, public education, juvenile justice, social services navigation, resource referral, and case management, Katrina is skilled in finding vital services in our region and supporting individuals and families living with autism.
She has come to know autism services and
resources through advocacy for her own son with autism and through her sincere interest in helping others navigate the complex maze that
accompanies an autism diagnosis and a life-long journey.
For any questions, please contact Andrea Elderkin, Family Services Manager by email.
