Human Rights and Diversity Committee

The Human Rights and Diversity Committee (HRDC) continues to promote DCDT’s national and international commitment to diversity by creating a collaborative platform for special education professionals, families, students, and leaders to discuss openly, share expertise, resources, and work to influence policies, practices, research, and laws advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Therefore, the HRDC recognizes the importance of experiential and other forms of knowledge, addresses structural inequities, and promotes advocacy, high expectations, and improved outcomes for transitioning youths from traditionally marginalized communities. Further, The HRDC fosters critical, culturally inclusive, and responsive transition practices guided by the following tenets:

Transition practices, research, and policies should reflect a deep understanding of intersecting identities (e.g. ability, class, gender, race, sexual orientation) and how the intersections mediate access to privilege and positive post-secondary outcomes.
Transition practices and research should promote the development of sociocultural awareness, including the critique of the master narrative, creation of counter-narratives, and critical cultural literacy.
Transition practices and research should be grounded in community well-being and community-based knowledge.

Culturally Responsive Transition Planning (CRTP) involves using an asset-based framework to foster connections between content, transition practices, professional dispositions, and students’ cultures for the purpose of improving transition outcomes and experiences for all students and their families.

Meeting Times

The HRDC meets virtually every FOURTH Tuesday of the month at 10am PST/11am MST/12pm CST/1pm EST (exception: March 17, 2026). To receive the Zoom link information, and calendar reminder please email Dr. Rebekka Jez at rjez@sandiego.edu.

Interested in participating and getting involved with the Human Rights and Diversity Committee? Please email Dr. Rebekka Jez at rjez@sandiego.edu.

HRDC Chairperson

Dr. Rebekka J. Jez

rjez@SanDiego.edu

Dr. Rebekka J. Jez is an Associate Professor at University of San Diego’s (USD) Department of Learning and Teaching PhD and masters and teacher credential programs. She teaches, researches, and supports educators from around the world on culturally responsive/sustaining inclusive practices, trauma-informed/healing practices, holistic assessment, postsecondary transition for TK-12 learners, and collaboration for youth, families/caregivers, educators, and communities. Dr. Jez served is a Past President of the Division for International Special Education and Services (DISES) and is a board member for Balang Foundation (South African Literacy Non-Profit Organisation), African Journal of Teacher Development, and Nativity Preparatory Academy. She represents the state of California and national teams for the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR) Center. Rebekka has published various articles, chapters, podcasts, webinars, and training programs on culturally responsive and sustaining inclusive practices.

Current Projects

Contributed to the creation of the CEC DCDT Transition Competencies
Community Engagement Subcommittee: connecting the HRDC community members with each other to promote intersectionality, community voice, graduate student involvement, and addressing policies and procedures in interactive ways.
Family/Caregiver Engagement Subcommittee: completing a metasynthesis on literature related to increasing family/caregiver engagement using culturally responsive and sustaining transition practices.
Youth Development Subcommittee: Creating a special project on how to support youth development during transition using culturally responsive and sustaining transition practices.
Program Structures Subcommittee: Creating a special project on how to support program structures during transition using culturally responsive and sustaining transition practices.

Upcoming Events:

(April date TBD) Scholarly Writing Retreats for Students, Educators, Faculty, and Support Personnel.
- Description: Join us for a writing retreat- learn tips to increase focus and organization and have a chance to encourage others who are trying to make an impact in the world of culturally responsive and sustaining transition practices!
- Contact: Angela Prince aprince@iastate.edu or Rebekka Jez rjez@sandiego.edu
(May date TBD) Artistic Expression: Photo Voice on the Transition to Adulthood Description: Learn through the eyes of those engaged in the transition to adulthood with our photo voice artistic salon. Contact: Craig Price cprice@naplesplayers.org or Rebekka Jez rjez@sandiego.edu
June 18th at 3pm EST: DCDT HRDC Town Hall “Embodying Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Transition Practices from Birth to Adulthood”
October 14-17 DCDT International Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana

Publications:

Berkemeyer, L., Binnewies, C., Hilbert, M., & Maunz, L. (2025). Creative and healthy through improv: Effects of training improvisational theatre on creative and work-related self-efficacy and self-esteem. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 56, 101757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2025.101757

Jez, R. J. (2024). Culturally responsive/sustaining transition for at-promise youth. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434241235886

Romano, L. E., Trainor, A. A., & Newman, L. A. (2023). Triad transition planning for students receiving special education and English Learner Services, families, and teachers. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 46(4), 211–222. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434221143514

Scott, L. A., & Shogren, K. A. (2023). Advancing anti-racism and anti-ableism in transition: Equity-oriented indicators for research. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 46(4), 237-248. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434231189665

Shikarpurya, S., & Gilson, C. B. (2024). Resisting legacies of racialized adversities: Counterstories of South Asians navigating transition planning. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 47(1), 62-75. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143423120081

Sinclair, J., Jez, R., Banks, J., & Kucharczyk, S. (2023). Building equity into transition practice and Service Delivery: A call for systemic changes in the field of transition. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 46(4), 223–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434231183415

Trainor, A. A., & Romano, L. (2023). Intersectional research as a methodology for shaping transition research in support of Equitable Postschool Outcomes. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 46(3), 169–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434231169990

Featured Transition Resources

Critical Global Conversations

Supporting Youth, Families, & Educators in Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Practices

DISES, DCDT, DARTS, and DEC have created an innovative cross division video podcast series to foster critical global conversations that support youth, families, and educators in culturally responsive and sustaining practices during and beyond the Birth-to-20 experience. Each podcast highlights members of the CEC community, provides application activities, and shares research-based quick facts and practices.

Learn More and Watch Podcast Series

Jobs Sites

Career One Stop: Although not geared specifically to those with disabilities, this is a wonderful site for skill matching, aptitude tests, and career exploration.
Holland Code Career Quiz: This is an online aptitude test to help students begin to narrow down career interests.
Careers in the Military: This site allows students to explore the thousands of careers that are connected with the US military.
Career Clusters: This aptitude site groups careers together based on similar skills/interests.

Education and Training

Think College: This site helps students and their families to explore the large number of inclusive post-secondary education programs offered at universities, colleges and technical schools throughout the country.
NTACT: Supports transitions through use of appropriate technology.
Transition Coalition: Organization which supports teachers, vocational rehab and other professionals who work with youth with disabilities.
CAST: Uses universal design for learning (UDL) principles to make curriculum accessible for students with disabilities.
Zarrow Institute’s ChoiceMaker Training: This self-determination curriculum can be fit into other transition classes for high school students with disabilities.

Family Support

Support for Families: Resources to help families prepare their students with disabilities for transition to adult life. Includes information on jobs, schooling and independent living.
Planning for Your Transition from High School to Adult Life: Planning workbook for students with disabilities transitioning to life after high school.
Parent Center Hub: Features education and resources to support families and their children/youth with disabilities to transition to adulthood.

Community/Social Involvement

Community Organizations that specialize in communication, training, and linking our transition students up with each other online and in person to network and enjoy social activities, including theatre:

Health Transitions

Healthy Bodies Toolkit: Supports parents of youth with disabilities to help them through changes that come along with puberty.
Nemours Teens Health: Great, medically reviewed lessons and articles on a wide variety of teen health.
Planet Puberty: Another site to support parents to talk with their tweens and teens with autism about changes that come with puberty.
My Plate: Great way to teach nutrition and healthy food choices.

Life Skills

Money Instructor: Great site for financial literacy and money skills like managing checking accounts, credit, and loans.
Accessible Chef: visual recipes and skills geared towards enhancing the skills of children and youth with disabilities.

Last Updated: 9 March, 2026