TRANSITIONSchool, Work, & Independence

Learning Disability Association of Utah & Dyslexia Center of Utah, October 10, 2014

Student with a Learning Disability

with NO Transition Supports

Let’s meet JASON…

What is Transition?Transition Services are a coordinated

set of activities for a student with a disability designed within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the student, to facilitate movement from the school to post school activities:

Post-Secondary Education Vocational Training and Employment Independent Living Etc.

(IDEA 34 CFR 300.43)

Transition Basics for High SchoolLegal Stuff: What should you

expect?What should you be doing?School Supports: Who are the

players?Problems that can come up.Self-determination and advocacy

skills.Flexibility!!!

Legal Stuff: What should you expect?

Age of majorityIDEA vs ADA

(Section 504)

Its OK to say you have a Disability

Students should learn to attend and direct their IEP meetings

Summary of Performance

What should YOU be doing?Be thinking and

planning for:◦ Education◦ Employment◦ Living Arrangements

Summer jobs, paid internships, volunteer work, community involvement:◦ Scouts◦ Youth groups◦ Etc.

School Supports: Who are the players?SEOP’s with School Counselors

◦Scholarship info, fafsa nights, career planning

High School Staff◦Office aid, library aid, copy center,

counseling office, principal, assistance principals, etc.

School Internship ProgramsTrade School

◦Applied Technology Colleges, CTE, etc.

Problems that can come up…

Drivers License

Access to Transportation

Lack of support system

Entitlement vs Eligibility programs

Identifying funding sources

*Advocating for Accommodations

*Modifying Modifications:

Be ready for what's out there after high school

*Summary of Performance

*Self-directed IEP and 504 meetings and goal

planningSelf-Determination Skills

FLEXIBILITY!!!Transition is all about YOU…

TRANSITIONUtah State Office of RehabilitationVocational Rehabilitation Program

What is Transition?Transition services shall be

provided to eligible students with disabilities to facilitate the transition from educational settings in high school to VR services oriented toward an employment outcome consistent with the student’s primary employment factors.

(VR Program 34 CFR 361.22)

Vocational Rehabilitation (USOR)

Our Mission◦To assist eligible individuals with disabilities

to prepare for and obtain employment and increase their independence

What is Voc Rehab?◦The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation’s

Vocational Rehabilitation Program provides individualized and customized supports and services to help people learn about their disability, how to overcome barriers to getting and keeping a job, and ways to be more self-reliant.

VR EligibilityDoes a significant physical or mental

impairment exist?Does this impairment result in a

substantial impediment to employment?Does the individual require VR services?Will the individual benefit in terms of an

employment outcome?

◦ Individuals receiving Social Security Benefits (SSI/SSDI) qualify for presumptive eligibility.

VR Transition ServicesAges 14-24Any youth with a disability

Special Education (IEP) 504 Students Special Health Care Needs Students who may have a disability

Each public and charter high school across the state have an assigned VR Counselor to work directly with that school, students, and families.

www.usor.utah.gov/transition (transition counselor finder)

How can VR support your Transition?

Get to know YOU!Be an IEP team memberProvide technical

assistance to teachersProvide information on

disability and employmentProvide information on

ADA and disclosureProvide information and

referral resources to other agencies

Help guide your career plan after high school

Pre-Employment Transition ServicesVR Counseling and GuidanceRestoration Services and Disability TreatmentAssistive TechnologyTraining and Education Job Readiness Workshops IEP/504 MeetingsSupported Job Based Training and Placement

ServicesSelf-EmploymentWork Experiences prior to GraduationOther individualized supports

Successful VR Outcomes

Employment!Employment!Employment!

We want transition-aged youth with disabilities to be successfully trained, supported and employed to increase

their independence!

TRANSITIONAdult Services & Other Key Partners

Possible ResourcesLDAU & DCUDepartment of Workforce Services

◦WIA Youth Programs◦http://jobs.utah.gov/jobseeker/wiayouth.html

Independent Living Centers◦ Active Re-Entry, Price, Moab, Vernal, 435-637-4950◦ Ability First of Utah, Provo, 801-373-5044◦ Options for Independence, Logan, Brigham City, 435-753-5353◦ Red Rock Center for Independence, St George, 435-673-7501◦ Utah Independent Living Center, Salt Lake City, 801-466-5565◦ Roads to Independence, Ogden, 801-612-3215

Possible Resources Continued…Utah Center for Assistive Technology

◦UCAT and UATT in school districts◦www.ucat.usor.utah.gov

Disability Resource Centers◦Located at all public universities and colleges

Disability Law Center◦www.disabilitylawcenter.org

Utah Parent Center◦www.utahparentcenter.org ◦Recommended: Disability Resource Directory

Most Important Resource….

Parents, Family, Community

Student with a Learning

Disability WITH Transition Supports

Let’s meet JASON….again!

QUESTIONS?

Contact Info:Heidi Preece, Spanish Fork High

School◦Special Ed. Department Chair◦Heidi.preece@nebo.edu ◦801-798-4060

Rachel Anderson, USOR◦Transition Specialist◦rachelanderson@utah.gov ◦801-538-7591