Transition Tennessee Vanderbilt University

There's still time to sign up to learn about college options for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities!

IPSE Day Webinar Invitation Check out this design designed by Next Steps at Vanderbilt.

You still have time to view the presentations from our virtual Secondary Transition Academy! Register here: https://transitiontn.vfairs.com/en/registration-form

We had an incredible turnout of transition professionals and educators for the Virtual Secondary Transition Academy, hosted by the Tennessee Department of Education in partnership with TN-TAN partner, TransitionTN! Thank you to all who joined.

If you were unable to attend, you can still register to access session recordings and resources, available through April 23.

👉 Register now: https://transitiontn.vfairs.com

Transition Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee Department of Education

Today is National Assistive Technology Awareness Day! Assistive Technology (AT) is everywhere around us- from smartphones using text-to-speech and magnifiers to communication tools, nearly every person will use some sort of AT device at some time in their lives. Our partners at the TN AT Project have great resources to help our students explore options!

Whether it’s vision support, hearing tools, or motor customizations, Chromebooks make the classroom more accessible for everyone. 🌟What features have you turned on?
✅ No extra cost
✅ Built-in settings
✅ Easy to customize
🔗https://loom.ly/yZOoivc

More of this, please!

Disney Reimagines Animated Hits In Sign Language Disney is releasing new versions of musical sequences from "Frozen 2," "Encanto" and "Moana 2" in an effort to better connect with the disability community.

Register today to view all the presentations and to visit the resource fair booths where you can download document and videos to share with families, students and other educators!

We had an incredible turnout of transition professionals and educators for the Virtual Secondary Transition Academy, hosted by the Tennessee Department of Education in partnership with TN-TAN partner, TransitionTN! Thank you to all who joined.

If you were unable to attend, you can still register to access session recordings and resources, available through April 23.

👉 Register now: https://transitiontn.vfairs.com

Transition Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee Department of Education

Join us! Our free virtual academy, "Building Futures: Empowering Every Student for College and Career Readiness," will be held on April 16, 2026. Register and view the agenda here: https://transitiontn.vfairs.com/

📢 Calling all Tennessee Educators – The 2026 Virtual Secondary Transition Academy is open for registration!

The Tennessee Department of Education, in collaboration with the TN-TAN partner, TransitionTN, is excited to host the Virtual Secondary Transition Academy on April 16, 2026.

This year’s theme, Building Futures: Empowering Every Student for College and Career Readiness, will provide Tennessee educators and professionals with practical strategies to:

✅Strengthen academic and postsecondary preparation for students with disabilities.
✅Support college and career readiness, accommodations, and self-advocacy.
✅Build real-world skills and connect students with community resources and agencies.

There is no cost for Tennessee educators and professionals to attend. This event is recommended for special education teachers, school administrators, school counselors, special education directors, and other professionals who support transition planning for students with disabilities.

🔗To register or learn more - https://transitiontn.vfairs.com/en/ FB

Tennessee Department of Education Transition Tennessee Vanderbilt University

Tennessee students applying for TN Promise- be sure to get your FAFSA completed!

TWO MORE WEEKS!

Students, you have until April 1, 2026 to complete and submit the 2026-2027 FAFSA. This is a TN Promise Requirement!

If you need assistance, please reach out to our team; we'll be happy to help! You can also find some resources here:

🔗https://www.tnachieves.org/fafsa

Sign up now to attend our Virtual Transition Academy on April 16, 2026! You can find the agenda, speaker list, and registration here: https://transitiontn.vfairs.com/en/

Coming up on April 16, 2026

Join TransitionTN from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. CT for their 2026 Virtual Secondary Transition Academy - Building Futures: Empowering Every Student for College and Career Readiness.

Learn more about how to:
💪 Strengthen academic and postsecondary preparation for students with disabilities.
👨‍🎓 Support college and career readiness, accommodations, and self-advocacy.
🗣️ Build real-world skills and connect students with community resources and agencies.

🌐 Register now on TransitionTN's event page: https://transitiontn.vfairs.com/en/

Tennessee Department of Education Transition Tennessee Vanderbilt University

Tomorrow! There's still time to sign up for this discussion on the ethics surrounding AI usage in disability research.

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!

Research Ethics Grand Rounds Webinar:
"The Ethical Implications of AI Usage in Disability Research"
Tuesday, February 10, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Held online via Zoom: click here to register: https://vkc.vumc.org/events/7145

Artificial intelligence (AI) has, in many cases, proven to be a beneficial tool across our daily lives. AI's resourcefulness has extended into the research and clinical sphere, expediting work that would have taken much longer had it remained in human hands exclusively.

However, AI is not without its pitfalls -- from concerns of privacy to the extensive use of environmental resources to keep its massive engines running 24/7. What are the ethical implications of AI usage when it comes to research and clinical practice? How does AI take into account the specific needs and concerns when developing research or tailoring health care for individuals with disabilities? Are we at risk of losing personalized patient-forward care in exchange for the convenience of technology?

Please join us at 12 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Feb. 10, for a virtual discussion with researchers and clinicians who serve individuals with disabilities and who've used AI in their fields.

Panelists:
--Laurie Cutting, Ph.D., Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Special Education; Professor of Psychology, Radiology, and Pediatrics; Associate Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center;
--Paul Dressler, M.D., MPH, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine
--Beth Malow, M.D., M.S., Burry Chair in Cognitive Childhood Development; Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics;
--Amy Weitlauf, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics; TRIAD Associate Director of Research;
--Sarika Peters, Ph.D. (Moderator), Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Check out our collaborative guide for families!

📕 Resource Spotlight! 📗

Our secondary transition partner, TransitionTN, and our family engagement partner, The Arc Tennessee, have teamed up to create a guide targeted for families and caregivers on transition-focused individualized education programs (IEPs).

This 41-page guide contains helpful information as it relates to transition planning, measurable postsecondary goals, transition assessments, and more.

🔗Access the resource here: https://75a9.educdn.net/e/hupet/zo77Z1?__$u__

Tennessee Department of Education The Arc Tennessee Family Engagement in Special Education - TN Transition Tennessee Vanderbilt University

Grant opportunity for Rural Workforce Collaboratives in Tennessee and other southern states! Check here for more info: https://eddesignlab.org/news-events/how-to-apply-for-our-rural-workforce-collaborative-design-challenge/

How to apply for our Rural Workforce Collaborative design challenge - Education Design Lab Rural workforce collaboratives located in Southeastern states are invited to apply by Jan. 30, 2026. Three collaboratives will be selected to design workforce pathways that expand equitable reskilling or upskilling opportunities and respond directly to regional employer needs.