High School of Fashion Industries (HSFI) once again hosted its annual Transition Day 2025, a powerful and essential event dedicated to preparing our graduating seniors who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans for their next chapter. The transition from high school to adulthood is a pivotal moment, and this day is specifically designed to demystify that process, whether the path leads to college, trade school, employment, or independent living.
This year's program was exceptionally rich, featuring dynamic experts who equipped students with knowledge about crucial post-graduation resources and their rights.
Our seniors benefited from hearing from three leading voices in the world of accessibility and post-secondary support:
Mia Greenidge, a representative from IncludeNYC, delivered an inspiring and vital session focused on self-advocacy and disability rights. She provided students with the clear-cut facts about how to secure services after they graduate. This included detailed information on accessing ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation, which offers job-related support) and OPWDD (the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, which provides essential lifelong services).
Leiloni Leiva-Rich from the MNTCAC (Manhattan Transition & College Access Center) acted as a knowledgeable navigator. Her presentation focused on holistic college and career planning, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various support systems. She ensured students understood how to leverage transition services like ACCES-VR, OPWDD, and other critical community-based resources to create a robust support network.
Annemarie Veira, representing FIT-ABLE (the Fashion Institute of Technology's Office of Accessibility), offered an invaluable "insider's view" of college-level accommodations. She discussed the key differences between high school and college support, explaining everything from how to request classroom accommodations and utilize assistive technology to the critical process of building a collaborative working relationship with a university's disability services office.
In addition to the guest speakers, the dedicated HSFI Transition Team highlighted an exciting opportunity: Bridges from School to Work. This highly effective program is a crucial link, helping students actively explore career options, gain hands-on work experience, and connect directly with paid employment opportunities in various industries.
Transition Day 2025 was more than just an informational session; it was a day of empowerment. By bringing these vital resources directly to our students, they were provided with a clear road map and the real-world tools necessary to confidently pursue a successful and independent transition into the next phase of their lives.