WINCHESTER, MA, 3.2.22 — Schools for Children, Inc. has announced the dates for  Different Choices 2022, a unique college and career transition fair for students with learning disabilities and/or mental health challenges. The Second Annual Different Choices fair will kick-off with a college and career exhibitor showcase on Saturday, September 24 from 10 am-6 pm ET with workshops and a youth panel during the day. The event will continue with more panel presentations and workshops from national transition experts on Tuesday, September 27th and Wednesday, September 28th from 3-9 pm ET.

The Fair’s program focuses on opportunities for students who are approaching the transition to college and young adulthood with a history of IEPs, 504 plans, or therapeutic supports and accommodations. Each year, about 20 percent of graduating high school students fall into this category. 

The Fair will provide attendees with information that can assist them in postsecondary transition planning and fill a much-needed gap in transition services. “We aim to make this a safe and engaging forum for students with learning differences and their families,” said Paul Stein, executive director of Schools for Children. “It’s a way they can explore the many options that are available and gain access to expert guidance.”

Different Choices 2022 is free to attendees and will include opportunities for students and parents to engage directly with colleges that support students with learning challenges and disabilities, receive expert advice on subjects from financing higher education to self-advocacy, and meet one-on-one with college, career and life skills representatives.

A free series of expert talks and panels will provide additional guidance and perspective for students and their parents as well as help educators, guidance counselors, therapists and others in students’ support systems better assist in the transition process.

Other workshops will be available for a small fee to help students and families identify their specific needs, acquire new skills and perspectives, and enhance the transition experience. 

“We’re interested in equity and opportunity for students with challenges, who often have questions and concerns that cannot be addressed adequately in typical college fairs,” said Stein. “Many colleges and training programs have invested significantly in excellent support for students with disabilities that go above and beyond federal requirements. We want to make it easy for families to get that information and meet representatives.

Schools for Children is expecting to produce a minimum of 60 virtual college and vocational exhibitor booths. College, vocational, technical, apprenticeship and other kinds of programs who are interested in exhibiting can get more information and reserve a booth on the Different Choices 2022 website.

“We will announce the full program schedule in late spring,” said Denise Moorehead, Schools for Children marketing specialist. “What we can promise is an exciting series of talks and more featuring great best advice and powerful stories.”

Interested students and their families can pre-register at the Different Choices 2022 website for early access to specific programs with limited spaces.