Transition

What do you need to prepare for as you become an adult?

Three Critical Areas To Consider as You Enter Adulthood

ResidenceWhere am I going to live?

Personal LifeSelf-esteem, maturity, family, friends and intimate relationships

EmploymentWhat appropriate training and educational programs are available?Where are they located?Do I have the right job seeking and keeping skills?

Why Start Now?

You need the right connections before leaving school, so there isn’t gap in services

You need to know how to navigate the “system” – for example: different agencies need different documentation of your disability

You will not get the same kind of help after school that you get now.

No single agency is required to provide or coordinate all needed services

It’s up to you!

Do you know what you need to know?

Skills you Need to Learn NOW!

Self discipline skills

Job specific skills

Work habits and related soft skills

Self Advocacy based upon the Americans with Disabilities Act

Job seeking skills/Job keeping skills

Defining Career/Vocational Goals

Work with school staff, family, and people and agencies in the community to define and refine transition plan. Make sure that the IEP includes transition plans.

Identify and take high school courses that are required for entry into college, trade schools, or careers of interest.

Identify and take vocational programs offered in high school, if a vocational career is of interest.

Defining Career/Vocational Goals (continued)

Become involved in early work experiences, such as job try-outs, summer jobs, volunteering, or part-time work.

Re-assess interests and capabilities, based on real world or school experiences. Is the career field still of interest? If not, re-define goals.

Participate in on-going vocational assessment and identify gaps of knowledge or skills that need to be addressed. Address these gaps.

Prepare Academically

Determine what the focus of your training will be

Meet academic requirements

Obtain information on the schools of your choice

Math, English, Language, Science, etc. (credits)

GPA

College track courses

Apply early and have a back-up school in mind

Prepare Financially

Complete financial applications

Complete scholarship applications

Develop a college budgetHow do you plan to pay for school

Explore the different types of loans

How will being away from home impact your medical insurance

Private

Public (Title XIX)

Prepare for the Environment

Are the school facilities accessible

Check dorm rooms/apartmentElectric outlets for equipmentRoom for nurse/aidRoom for equipmentDistance to class roomsSnow removalMealsAre there nursing staff/personal assistants available in the local area to support your needsTransportationMedical services

Prepare For Accommodations

Do you know how your disability impacts you on a daily basis?How it impacts you

Triggers or cycles

Do you know how to request an accommodation?Meet staff at the disability resource center

Meet student services staff (for environmental requests)

Can you/Have you advocated for yourself

Have previous accommodations been effective?

Prepare Medically

Set up equipment rentalsTransfer/copy medical recordsIdentify a local physician/hospital

Do they have knowledge of your disability needs?Do they have the equipment necessary for your treatment?

PrescriptionsHome health care needsPersonal attendant care

Success vs. Access

Differences between:

IDEA

ADA

Section 504

Record Keeping

Start during high school

High school transcripts, IEP, evaluations, test and therapist reportsOn-the-job training reports or other work experience you have had including recommendations from employersTelephone conversations with different agenciesHave file folders handy to hold brochures or handouts you are givenAll letters you write to agencies and the letters they write to you

Example Sheet for Record Keeping

Name of Program:

Date Contacted:

Contact Person:

Services available, eligibility requirements, referrals, other notes: