Belmont-Harrison Roadmap to Transition connects students with disabilities to careers Oct. 7

Business owners and community leaders will have the chance to showcase their companies to about 500 high school students with Individualized Education Programs, known as IEPs, during the 2025 Belmont-Harrison Roadmap to Transition.

The collaborative annual event connects students with disabilities in Belmont and Harrison counties to local employers, agencies and resources as they prepare for life after high school. The fair will feature job demonstrations, virtual reality career exploration, informational booths and opportunities for students to network with businesses and support organizations.

The program is sponsored by the Belmont Multi-Agency Planning Group, which includes representatives from the Belmont and Harrison County Boards of Developmental Disabilities, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center.

An Individualized Education Program is a written legal document that outlines the special education services and accommodations a student with a disability needs to receive a free appropriate public education. It includes the student’s strengths, weaknesses, measurable goals, behavioral supports and therapies, serving as a roadmap for teachers and parents to support the student’s academic and developmental progress. Parents may request an evaluation by writing to their school’s special education coordinator or principal, and they can request meetings or mediation if they disagree with the plan.

The Transition Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 7 at the EOC Center, 454 National Road, St. Clairsville. Registration is available at https://forms.office.com/g/ksu3vFRAND.