The Transition Academy News Release: KC DiversAbility College and Career Fair Celebrates Five Years of Advancing Opportunities for Young People with Disabilities

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For Immediate Release 


Contact: 

Tess Koppelman, Tess K Communications 

tess@tesskcomms.com cell: 816-225-2765 


KC DiversAbility College and Career Fair Celebrates Five Years of Advancing Opportunities for Young People with Disabilities


Kansas City, MO – For five years, the KC DiversAbility College and Career Fair has helped young people navigate the most stressful time of their young lives: graduating high school and preparing for adulthood. The transition is hard for any young people, but for youth with disabilities, navigating into adulthood on their own is overwhelming.  


On Thursday, April 2, 2026, The Transition Academy (TTA) will host its 5th Anniversary of bringing the Kansas City DiversAbility Fair to the Kansas City metro. That’s 5 years of connecting young people with disabilities to a world of opportunity. 


"Year after year, we hear from families who are just so excited to learn about these new opportunities and employers they hadn't even considered before," says Kim Riley, Founder and CEO of The Transition Academy. "We hear from families all over, urban, suburban, or rural. They all say that the fair opens their eyes to options they didn’t know they had.”


2026 KC DiversAbility College and Career Fair: The 5th Anniversary

  • Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026

  • Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Open to the General Public)

  • Location: Kauffman Foundation Conference Center | 4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110

  • Cost: Free (Registration required)


The 5th-anniversary fair continues its "results-first" tradition. 

Attendees won't just collect brochures and business cards. In some cases they can participate in on-site job interviews and immediate sign-ups for essential government benefits. 


"Every year, this fair proves that disability is not a barrier to economic contribution," Riley said. "We are celebrating five years of showing Kansas City that our youth are an untapped powerhouse of talent."


Attending the fair is free but registration is required: https://thetransitionacademy.org/kc-diversability-college-career-fair/


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About The Transition Academy 

The Transition Academy (TTA) is a nonprofit organization focused on supporting youth with disabilities in Kansas City area public and charter schools as they transition from high school to a fulfilling post-secondary life. CEO Kim Riley founded the organization in 2019 after she struggled with her autistic son’s transition into adulthood. Riley decided that students with disabilities deserve a better transition, one that helps students with disabilities connect to their passion and purpose. 


Mission Statement

To prepare students with disabilities to transition from school into meaningful careers through real-world learning and workforce development opportunities.

Vision Statement

A community where every young person, regardless of how they learn, has a clear pathway to purpose, independence, and meaningful employment.