School age transition—that crucial time leading up to and following graduation from high school—is for many, one of the most memorable, celebratory chapters in one’s lifetime. It can also be one of the most stress-inducing for young adults who are pondering the question: What comes next?

For young adults with disabilities (and their parents), the feeling of anxiety about, or even fear of, what the future holds is often magnified. For too many, there are fewer opportunities—from post-secondary education to employment to routine day-to-day social outlets. Fortunately, that’s not the case for transition age students in Central PA, thanks to a

coalition of concerned stakeholders that includes local counties, service providers, employers, and other interested community members.

On May 27, the Capital Area Employment 1st Coalition hosted the 2026 Transition Fair on the campus of Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC). The half-day event brought together essential human service agencies, service providers, funders, and county and school district officials to share their knowledge and resources, and to provide guidance on the wealth of opportunities that exist throughout our region for students of diverse abilities.

Students, parents, and Transition Coordinators from across Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry Counties had the opportunity to chat with representatives from over 25 agencies and vendors. The Fair also featured separate presentation tracks on key topics for parents and students, with UCP staff presenting sessions for both.  For parents, UCP Directors Violet Mwangi and Marci Walborn presented on their respective areas of expertise, Residential Continuum of Services and Assistive Technology.

UCP Residential Services staff were also on hand to talk about a program of particular significance to transition-age students: Pathways Academy and the path to living independently. The Academy is an innovative, successful approach to residential living and life skills development for motivated adults with intellectual disabilities.

Students appeared excited, engaged, and enthusiastic about the options and opportunities they found at the Transition Fair. Hopefully, they also walked away feeling more curious, confident, and hopeful about their path forward. A couple take-aways:

  • It’s never too early (or too late) to explore and consider all available options… whether it’s college or a trade school, employment, volunteerism, or actively pursuing greater community integration.
  • Be your own advocate. Take advantage of the services, supports, and assistive technologies that can make your life easier, enhance your engagement in the community, and maximize your independence.
  • Show you care… about getting the job, pursuing your passion, and learning to live as independently as possible.