Providing technical assistance to support youth and young adults with disabilities and their Families during Transition
About RAISE
In 2014, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), a parent-led and family-centered non-profit parent training and information center (PTI), was funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to provide support to Parent Training and Information Centers in helping individuals with disabilities transition into adulthood.
RAISE was funded by a national grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to provide technical assistance and support to eight (8) RSA PTIs.

New Resources and Quick Access
Transition Alphabet Soup! Find out what these acronyms mean?→
Plain Language Made It Easy
RAISE and PEATC collaborated to develop this resource guide and video in English and Spanish to assist people in making their documents accessible to everyone.
- The Importance of Using Plain Language explains how plain language makes information easier for people to read and to understand. En Espanol *
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Using Plain Language Video explains how using plain language makes it easier for people to understand. En Espanol *
Readable Print
These resource provide information on how to make printed text the most visually accessible.
- Creating Readable Print Materials explains the rules that will make text readable for everyone, including people with reading, language, or visual disabilities and their families.*
- Creating Readable Text is a video shows how to create readable print material *
Stay Up To Date with RAISE
The Standard Newsletter is the official publication from RAISE.
The STANDARD: 9.5, April 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we take a deep dive into how and why to use summertime to advance transition skills.
The STANDARD: 9.4, March 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we explore the impact of trauma on transition planning and outcomes, and what service providers and other professionals can do to best support youth who have experience trauma
The STANDARD: 9.3, Feb 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we explore remote work practices, and considerations for people with disabilities.
Sign up for The Standard Newsletter and other useful RAISE resources and information.
Webinars and Events
RAISE hosts a number of engaging and informative webinars and events through out the year. We invite you to join us for professional development, virtual learning, networking and more.
9th Annual RAISE Summit- May 16th- Charlotte, NC- PAYCHECKS not PITY!
The National RAISE Center will be hosting its 9th Summit in Charlotte, NC. It will be a time for leadership development, networking and team building.
Location: Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte, NC.
Date: Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 at 9am – 1pm ET
This summit will focus on developing and strengthening relationships with key partners to improve transition outcomes. The sessions will include:
– A Young Adult Showcase
– MPACT Presentation “Walking the Walk: Recommendations for Experience-Focused Transition Programming”
– RSA Parent Centers spotlight
Travel and hotel is at your own expense. We are only covering lunch at the summit.
Supporting Families to Focus on Student Self-Determination- April 24
Self-determination is the ability for an individual to make their own decisions and guide the path of their lives. Youth and young adults with disabilities often lack opportunities to develop and practice being self-determined. This session will provide family training and advocacy professionals with strategies and tools that assist parents and caregivers in building key self-determination skills in their youth. The Essential Elements of Self Determination will be highlighted and useful goal setting and supported decision making tools shared. Family involvement and student self-determination can coexist. By helping families see the value in self-determination we can support students to build confidence and take charge of their futures.
Presenters:
Sean Roy, Sean, Chief Innovation and Training Officer for TransCen Inc.
Dr. John McNaught, Principal Investigator for I’m Determined
Date: Monday, April 24th, 2023
Time: 2pm ET
ASL interpretation & Spanish interpretation will be offered!