Disabilities Resource Fair April 21
We are excited to announce the collaboration between Autism Allies and Buffalo Hanover Montrose Schools for the annual Disabilities Resource Fair! This event will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Discovery Center (214 1st Ave NE, Buffalo, Mn 55313).
This free event features three speaker seminars, a comprehensive vendor fair, and more. The objective is to provide resources and support to families of individuals with disabilities of ALL ages (birth to adulthood). All are welcome to attend, including those who do not live in the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District. The evening is also an opportunity to meet BHM special education staff.
It is a sensory friendly event, and break spaces will be available as needed.
Seminars
Special Needs Planning: Securing the future for persons with disabilities
5-6 p.m
Roger Strege and Jan Larson
An estate/trust specialist and an attorney will help identify and resolve unique life and estate planning issues, from the first to the last planning step, in easy-to-understand terms. Topics include protecting government benefits, establishing guardianship, preparing appropriate wills and supplemental needs trusts, avoiding family conflict, and reducing professional costs.
Navigating Adulthood with Your Child
6-7 p.m.
Sara Swan, Executive Director/Founder of Looking Forward Life Coaching
Many things change when you become an adult, and it can be challenging to navigate it all. With help from loved ones and some important pieces of information, the journey will have stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks. Objectives for this presentation will include:
• Defining Adulthood
• Responsibilities of Adulthood
• Role of the Support Person, and
• Skills Needed for Adulting.
Accessing County Resources
7-8 p.m.
Waiver & Community Supports Social Workers
MnCHOICES Social Workers
This session will provide an overview of the process for accessing county resources, along with information about the supports and services available.
Vendor Fair
A large vendor fair will take place between 4:30 and 7 p.m. Representatives from a variety of agencies will provide information and answer questions about how they can help support individuals and families. Topics include:
- Community integration
- County services
- Recreation and leisure
- Health and wellness
- Banking
- Family services
- Counseling
- Disability information pertinent to all disabilities
- Life planning (guardianship, wills, conservatorship)
- Post-secondary education and training
- Independent and semi-independent living skills
- Insurance/special needs plan
- Housing and transportation
- Employment connections
Vendor List
- Understanding Assistance Dogs
- Motivation On Wheels LLC
- Deaf, Deafblind & Hard of Hearing State Services
- We Can Ride
- Love INC-Big Woods
- Mercarik
- Functional Industries, Inc.
- Opening Doors
- AME Community Services
- Fraser
- Trailblazer Transit
- Mains'l Services
- School Law Center
- Parenting with Grace
- Minnesota Independence College and Community
- REM SOUTH CENTRAL SERVICES
- MAC Midwest
- Looking Forward Life Coaching
- Johnson, Larson & Peterson, P.A.
- True Friends
- PICS (Partners in Community Supports)
- Amanda's Bracelets for Special Olympics
- Consumer Directions Inc.
- Goodwill Easter Seals MN
- My Path
- MAC Midwest
- Central MN Mental Health Center
- AHL Healthcare Group INC.
- Central Lakes College
- Wright County Public Health
- WCCA Head Start
- Medica
- Autism Advocacy and Law Center
- Somali Parents Austism Network (SPAN)
- Buffalo Stampede
- BUILD Program
- Current Accessibility Solutions
- Hearts in Homes
- ACT/Advocating Change Together & Self Advocates Minnesota/SAM Central MN
- True Friends
- DreamLife Destiny
- The Arc Minnesota
BHM Special Services
For more information about the Disabilties Resource Fair, contact BHM Special Services at 763.682.8715.
Department Vision: Creating educational opportunities that improve student outcomes in an environment where learning has no limits.
Department Purpose and Mission: The Department of Special Services' mission is to work collaboratively to provide appropriate support and services to students from birth to age 22. These services will prepare students to participate in their communities in meaningful ways and achieve their personal post-secondary goals. We do this through providing specialized instruction, integrating research with practice, and providing opportunities where all are included and valued.
