Brynn Biggs: Beyond Barriers

06/12/2026

Just finished up at 1 Summer Institute and it did not disappoint! Two back to back full sessions with EAGER educators filled my cup!

06/03/2026

New resource from the Department of Labor!

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) supports apprenticeship opportunities for career seekers, including people with disabilities. This toolkit offers tips, strategies, and resources to improve workplace accommodations and supports for disabled people pursuing apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeship programs, while helping promote success for workers and employers. These resources can also benefit related work-based learning, such as career and technical education.

https://beta.dol.gov/programs-initiatives/apprenticeship-accommodations-toolkit?fbclid=IwY2xjawSNGA5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEensxrRT1EPoa1B25Rbs4Mgo8rKo2-XcDmBWhKuQl4YKxeDEcqqPAyR5EyrFs_aem_C-yfhniG0Z8ZPQngRKADfw

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06/02/2026

Leaning into my passion of special education and CTE has been such an amazing ride! I’m beyond honored that not one, but BOTH of my proposals were accepted to be presented at a national CTE conference!!

05/20/2026

Seriously!!! This conference has all the big hitters in the state 😉

🌟 Breakout Session Spotlight – Guiding Futures: A Transition Summit 🌟
Join us for an impactful breakout session at Guiding Futures: A Transition Summit on June 22nd at Region 10 Education Service Center.

📘 Session Title: Serving Every Student: Designing 18+ Services and Programs for Students with Disabilities Across Support Needs

👩‍🏫 Presenter: Dr. Christina M. Gushanas, from Sam Houston State University, Garrett Center at SHSU.

This session will support educators in understanding and implementing 18+ services and programs that meet the needs of every eligible student through individualized, person-centered programming. Participants will engage in designing meaningful services with examples spanning a wide range of support needs.

You’ll leave with practical ideas and strategies to strengthen 18+ services within your classroom, program, or district—ensuring postsecondary programming is intentional, inclusive, and responsive to students’ goals.

🔗 Register here: https://txr10.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=2688309

Don’t miss this opportunity to build stronger 18+ programs that truly serve every student.

05/19/2026

Texas School Districts — A Funding Opportunity You May Want to Explore!

The Texas Education Agency has released new grant opportunities for the 2026–2027 school year, and there’s one detail districts should not overlook 👀

Many of these grants may allow districts to use funds for:

✅ Short-term professional learning focused on inclusive CTE practices for special populations
✅ Contracted services for specialists supporting access, persistence, or performance in CTE
✅ Professional development for teachers and administrators
✅ Technical assistance and coaching
✅ Program evaluation and support
✅ Supplies for structured student reflection, goal-setting, or progress monitoring tied to CTE
participation
✅ Accessible instructional materials (visual supports, translated materials, captioning services)
✅ Instructional resources that improve access for English learners, students with disabilities, or
other identified groups

This is a great opportunity for districts looking to strengthen programs while also building staff capacity and improving student outcomes.

📌 Explore available grants here:
TEA Grant Opportunities Portal: https://tealprod.tea.state.tx.us/GrantOpportunities/forms/GrantProgramSearch.aspx

📌 View the program guidelines here:
Program Guidelines Document:https://tea4avcastro.tea.state.tx.us/eGrants/26-27/26420023/proguide.pdf

05/18/2026

✨ Breakout Session Spotlight at Guiding Futures: A Transition Summit this summer at Region 10 Education Service Center!

Session: IEP: It’s Empowerment in Progress — Moving from Compliance to Ownership

Presenter: Brynn Biggs: Beyond Barriers

Too often, IEP meetings are something done for students instead of with students. This engaging breakout explores how shifting from adult-led compliance to student ownership can transform the IEP process into a powerful tool for:
✅ self-awareness & confidence
✅ self-advocacy and student voice
✅ meaningful decision-making all year long
✅ transition readiness for life beyond high school

You’ll leave with ready-to-use tools, planning ideas, and real examples of student-led IEP practices—especially for transition-age learners.

🔗 Register here: https://txr10.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=2688309

05/15/2026

Can’t wait to support educators in ESC 10 this summer!!

05/13/2026

When I get asked “who do I want at the table” for a training audience … THIS is what I want!

CTE Admin/Teacher
SPED Staff (teachers, dials, transition, administrators)
Counselors
District admin

I want EVERYONE at the table! Collaborative professional development is the way to grow!

Thanks ESC 18 for having me!

05/01/2026

Comment girls and I’ll send you a link to download this autism in girls poster (low ink + high ink) FREE! Download here - https://www.mrsspeechiep.com/product-page/autism-in-girls-handout

Want to learn more? I’ve got TWO free presentations on girls coming up in the next few months that you won’t want to miss!

1st: NeuroAffirmX a TEDx style talk: https://www.sensoryslp.com/a/2148252397/5nEJowyR

2nd: be sure you are on my mailing list for info on a full hour free course on girls, coming in July!

04/24/2026

I’m excited to share the results of my statewide survey at the Texas Council for Exceptional Children ReBOOT Conference.

This data was originally collected for the 18+ Panel I hosted at the Texas Transition Conference, where you all got to hear from select districts... but now.... now all of YOU get to hear about the data!

Sharing data helps us provide access to real insights, creating opportunities for stronger, more informed decision-making across our schools and programs.

These findings reflect input from districts across Texas on 18–21 services and programs. My hope is that this information helps educators and leaders move beyond “what’s convenient” and instead design programs rooted in intentionality, effectiveness, and best practices.

Because when we do it better, our students experience better outcomes.