CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES
OPELIKA — Vocational Rehabilitation Service Field Supervisor Mary Browning has received the 2025 Presidential Distinguished Professional Award from the Alabama Transition Specialties Division of the Alabama Rehabilitation Association (ARA).
The award, which was presented during the First Biennial State of Alabama Transition Conference in Opelika, honored Mary for her dedicated service, impactful leadership and contribution to the advancement of effective transition practices. Her efforts helped promote the employment and future independence of youth and young adults with disabilities.
Mary was instrumental in making the biennial conference a reality.
Courtney Dotson, President of the Alabama Transition Specialties Division of ARA, said Mary played a crucial role in establishing the new division.
“We would not have been able to bring this conference back without Mary’s leadership and guidance,” she said.
Since 2024, the Transition Specialties Division has advanced effective transition practices to promote the employment and future independence of youth and young adults with disabilities.
The division provides training and education opportunities to professionals who work as transition specialists, coordinators, counselors and others who work with youth in the program.
Mary said she enjoyed seeing teachers and rehabilitation professionals take advantage of this new opportunity.
“It’s really neat to be able to provide this conference through this division,” she said. “It’s something that so many people want to be a part of. It gives them a forum to be able to network and work together regarding transition issues.”
For more information about the new division, visit https://site.pheedloop.com/event/SATC/about/About.