Judy Shanley, Ph.D. is Assisstant Vice President, for Education & Youth Transition at the national office of Easterseals in Chicago, IL. She supports the Easterseals network to implement evidence-based transition practices and offers innovative solutions to facilitate student educational success. Shanley provides technical assistance, conducts research, and develops materials regarding youth transition and accessible transportation, and developed a transportation education curriculum to ensure that youth have inclusive mobility options as they transition from high school. She has conducted over 100 workshops and professional development events either in-person or using Webinar technology. Shanley uses online technologies to support national communities of practice to engage educators, families, transportation providers, and individuals with disabilities to develop a continuum of mobility options so that youth with disabilities can pursue employment and education opportunities as they transition to post high school settings and also so that adults can access employment, health care, and inclusive community services.
Shanley served as the President of the International Division on Career Development and Transition (2017-18) and is the Co-Chair of an international research and policy to practice committee related to access to inclusive mobility options. Prior to Easterseals, Shanley worked at the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) and had a key role in implementing the provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act to facilitate the ability of students with intellectual disabilities to attend college and secure financial aid. She has over 20 years of experience in human services and research settings including the American Institutes for Research, the ARC and United Cerebral Palsy. Shanley earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Florida and an M.B.A. and a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling, both from Syracuse University.
