ALL ROADS LEAD TO EMPLOYMENT Skills for Employment: Supports for Employment PRESENTED BY: CCTS & SETC

SUPPORTS FOR EMPLOYMENT Your GPS Guide…to post-school success 1)HOW DOES IT RELATE TO TRANSITION SERVICES AND THE LAW?

Definition of Transition Transition services are a set of coordinated activities designed to be a results-oriented process that facilitates the successful movement from school to postsecondary living. These activities are based on the student’s needs, strengths, preferences, and interests. As documented through age-appropriate transition assessments

Definition of Transition Transition services include instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school living objectives and, when appropriate, daily living skills. 20 U.S.C. § 1401(34)

IEP Team Participation Transition services participants, …the public agency must invite a child with a disability to attend the child’s IEP Team meeting if the purpose of the meeting will be the consideration of the postsecondary goals for the child and the transition services needed to assist the child in reaching those goals 20 U.S.C. § (b) (1)

Adult Services Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of the individual to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, pursue meaningful careers, and enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society. U.S.C. 701(2)(a)(3)

Americans with Disabilities Act ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability in employment To be protected by ADA, one must have a disability (a physical or mental impairment) that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Title I: Employment – requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of employment-related opportunities

Transition to Employment IDEAADA SuccessAccess Guarantee of services to those that qualify Prohibits discrimination Ages All ages FAPEEquivalent access IEPNo formal plan IEP Team ResponsibleStudent/Employee Responsible

Transition to Employment

SUPPORTS FOR EMPLOYMENT Your GPS Guide…to post-school success 1) WHAT SUPPORTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT?

Special Education Technology Center (SETC) provides training, consultation, technology loans and resource information to help school districts and families effectively implement assistive technology (AT) interventions in addressing the special learning needs of children with disabilities

SETC Services Lending Library Technology Technical Assistance and Consultations Professional Development Dissemination of Assistive Technology Information The SETC focuses specifically on the implementation of AT in K-12 classrooms

SETC Lending Library Loans Assistive Technology to school districts, at no fee, for one month − Preview AT prior to purchase − AT trials with students − Professional development − Consultations Purpose − Communication devices − Laptops 100+ software programs/tutorials − Adaptive switches & accessories for physical access − Computer access alternatives − Resource books and videos Includes

Technology Assistance & Consultations Focus on Assistance in Formal or Informal Individual students Classroom-wide needs District-wide needs Selecting appropriate AT Implementation Customization Face-to-face at SETC site On site at school Video conference Telephone or

Professional Development Training centers in Spokane, Ellensburg, and Federal Way/Tacoma Additional training provided per request on site at ESDs and school districts SETC Professional Development includes: ◦ Annual mini-conference(s) ◦ Presentations and hands-on workshops ◦ Hands-on technical assistance ◦ Webinars and online classes ◦ Free classes at each ESD

Dissemination of AT Information  Puget Sound (WAATS)  Bellingham (WWU)  Kitsap County  Yakima Valley  Spokane County Regional AT groups SETC website: The SETC Forum:

Washington Assistive Technology Act Program Provides assistive technology resources & expertise to all persons in WA with a disability Will provide aid in making AT decisions, obtaining equipment, and the related services needed for employment, education, & independent living You can try before you buy Get low-interest loans

Consider the following.... What does your child need to do but is unable to do because of his/her disability? Physical Communication Cognitive Social/emotional Academic

Questions to Consider What limitations does the student/employee with a disability experience? How do these limitations affect student/employee performance? What specific tasks are problematic as a result of these limitations? What accommodations are available to reduce or eliminate these problems ? Can the student/employee provide information on possible accommodation solutions? Once accommodations are in place, can meetings take place to evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodations? Can meetings take place to determine whether additional accommodations are needed?

AskJan.org Free, Expert, and Confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues Comprehensive job accommodation resource Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy

Consider the following.... What are the specific features of the AT device that can help the student? What barriers will this eliminate? Who will need to be trained to ensure that the student gets the maximum benefit from the AT device? How long will this device or program remain a suitable AT device for the student? — 6 months, 1 year, 5 years? Consider the appropriateness in different settings after HS as well. What tools or devices are readily available from the school, the district, or a loan library? What will be available after high school?

Consider the following.... What assistive technology tools are available to help your child overcome these challenges? Consider the options: Low tech high tech

the following.... Consider the following.... AT Criteria for success How is success documented in the IEP goals? Do the goals scaffold for successful transfer? Adults Peers Environments Do the goals use various forms of data collection? Video Peer review Work samples

Consider the following.... Revisit Document Decide which device is most appropriate for the student Experiment with several devices

CCTS Resources

Resources TechMatrix

Resources Hey! Can I Try That Notes. A student handbook for choosing and using Assistive Technology Transition Portfolio Notes. A student portfolio to assist in keeping track of AT related information SETT (student, employment, tasks, tools) Notes. Documents to support the successful movement from K-12 to Employment

QUESTIONS?

CCTS Contact Information Phone: Phone: