Auburn University, March 5-7, 2003

Alabama's Annual Transition Conference continued to attract national attention. This year's conference was held at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center March 5-7, 2003. Topping this year's list was Dr. Robert Pasternack, who on Aug. 8, 2001, was sworn in as the Bush Administration's assistant secretary to the U.S. Department of Education. Since then, he has served this department as the principal advisor on all matters related to special education and rehabilitative services.

Pasternack was able to fly in from Washington, D.C., on March 7 to begin the last day of events on an inspirational note.

"I want to congratulate you in Alabama for the incredible work you all are doing in transition," Pasternack said. "As shown by the state of Alabama, providing transition early is clearly what needs to be done around the country. We need to use Alabama as a model for the rest of the country."

Among numerous other prominent leaders participating were Commissioner Steve Shivers, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, and Special Education Director Dr. Mabrey Whetstone, Alabama State Department of Education. Also taking part was Dr. Joanne Cashman from the National Association of State Directors of Special Education in Washington, D. C.

The conference was spearheaded by Dr. Phillip Browning, director of the Auburn Transition Leadership Institute and head of the College of Education's Department of Rehabilitation & Special Education.

Dr. Frances Kochan, interim dean of the College of Education, notes how this year's conference was especially timely to the Bush Administration's new educational legislation "No Child Left Behind." She said the program exemplifies a concerted statewide attempt to help assure that its exceptional young people are provided a high quality education and services. Auburn is proud to lead in this effort, she said.

More than 6,500 professionals have attended the Conference since its beginning in 1991. This year's Transition XIII attracted more than 750 additional Alabama stakeholders who are invested in the states' young people with disabilities. These attendees primarily represent educational and social service practitioners and administrators.

The keynote speaker was Kathy Buckley, a highly successful comedienne, actress and inspirational speaker. She is also the author of the best selling book, "If You Could Hear What I See."

Buckley greeted the crowd with enthusiasm, saying, "I'm not hearing impaired I just don't listen."

Her sense of humor was evident immediately, but there were also words of wisdom shared by a woman who had to learn many hard lessons in life before finding her voice.

"All anybody wants is to be treated with respect. To give it, you have to have it for yourself," she said. "Please don't pass judgments you wouldn't want passed on yourself—believe me. I had a few years of no pass judgment, where the focus was not on what you couldn't do, but what you could do and it was nice."

Adding another special touch to this year's conference was the AU Choral Choir, which has more than 60 singers under the direction of Dr. Thomas Smith. The choir kicked off Thursday's events on a pleasant note that morning.