Transition to College: Preparing Students with Intellectual Disability: Creating Meaningful College Visits

Webinar, October 29th, 2025, with the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass.   Families, educators, and transition professionals will explore the value of college visits and learn strategies to make them more meaningful and inclusive. * The host will share how to highlight key locations, prioritize community events, and the impact these experiences can have on students’ motivation and confidence. * Discuss how inclusive higher education programs can support these visits by sharing information about upcoming events, guiding students and families in planning their trip to campus, and even creating opportunities for students to connect with peers or staff while they’re there.

• Families will leave with ideas for how to find out what campus events are happening, and plan visits that create authentic experiences of college life.
• Education professionals will leave with strategies to integrate community events and campus visits as part of transition planning
• Inclusive higher education programs will gain strategies to support these visits by sharing event information, coordinating with schools, and helping families and students feel ready and welcome on campus.

About the speakers: * Ashley Luce is Program Manager, Education & Transition Team·Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston. Ashley provides consultation on college-based transition services, disability services, college preparation, and the range of support available to students in higher education. * Rachel Estremera is Program Coordinator, Education & Transition Team·Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston. Rachel oversees the state-funded UMass Boston Massachusetts Inclusive Education Initiative, which provides inclusive higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities and autism. Through the Initiative, she works closely with partnering school districts and community provider agencies to expand access to college-based transition services. To register or for more information visit  https://communityinclusion.zoom.us/webinar/register/6117586371585/WN_MACQuPrBTkqsewORi5e6Pg#/registration or contact Sheila.Johnson@umb.edu.