To help special education students and their families plan for the future, the Jackson County Transition Council and Seymour Community Schools are organizing an information and resource event next week.

The annual transition fair will be from 10 a.m. to noon March 8 in the Seymour High School auxiliary gymnasium.

About 40 agencies and vendors plan to set up booths with information on opportunities to help students transition from school to adulthood, including local employment and continuing education, said MaryKate Helmsing, assistant director of special education for Seymour Community School Corp.

Helmsing is a member of the transition council.

“We want to empower students and their families to plan and carry out successful transitions from school to adulthood,” she said of the council’s purpose.

The event is expected to attract more than 100 students with disabilities from Jackson County area high schools and their families.

There will be refreshments and door prizes throughout the event.

Helmsing said the transition fair is not only important for students and their families but also for local businesses and organizations.

“Individuals with disabilities and their families are a current and future consumer group for these businesses and services,” she said. “Their participation in the transition fair demonstrates their willingness to support students with disabilities as they enter a new stage in their lives.”

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What: Jackson County Transition Council Transition Fair for high school students with disabilities and their families

When: 10 a.m. to noon March 8

Where: Seymour High School auxiliary gym

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