Disability Support Services for Productive Transitions Denise North, MSHR Adm., MEd. Metro Tech & Claudia Otto, Ph.D. ODCTE August 4, 2015

Transition. Why does it matter?  Local Education Agencies are not required by federal law to evaluate a student for the purpose of going to college or workforce  Laws are different IDEA (K - 12) 504 (secondary and post-secondary education) ADA (post-secondary education)  Self-identification & initiation, necessary by the student, will help enhance student independent success !

Predictors of Post-school Success  Students having a paid job during high school years  Students being actively involved in the IEP and transition planning and implementation process  Students understanding their abilities and impact of disability  Students having high self-determination skills Transition helps assure student post-school success.

Transition. Why should you be interested?  Career Tech’s primary reason for being established was to provide training to allow high school students to move into employment.  As a Guidance counselor, assessment center staff, academic center staff or student service personnel your job is to assist individuals transition from high school to the world of work.  Students with disabilities are in most, if not all, of our CTE programs and they have the same goals of being employed as their peers.  They also often have additional barriers that need to be addressed. This is why you as a CTE employee need to know more about how to assist these students.

Documentation for Transition Purposes --- Make an Embedded Effort !

Emphasize Educational Skills  Include an overview of educational achievements courses completed examples of favorite class projects  Select and use various items technical skills – documentation of competencies achieved academic skills course transcripts photographs, videos, and artwork of class projects test scores: ACT, SAT, etc. writing or research projects

Emphasize Job-Related Skills  Include documentation of all jobs held indicate full-time, part-time work experiences indicate paid and unpaid work experiences  Include documentation of skills and knowledge acquired that are related to career goals internships or shadowing experiences documentation of skills demonstrated on the job competency certificates instructor or mentor evaluations progress reports

Emphasize Employability Skills  Offer and document experiences that reflect interpersonal and dependability skills those skills that demonstrate professionalism  Offer various employability opportunities teamwork / interpersonal skills attendance / punctuality initiative / dependability written and verbal communication skills critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Emphasize Activities, Awards, and Community Service  Include descriptions of special interests, activities, and achievements in school  Partner with the community to support and offer opportunities to participate in various events leadership activities sports, clubs, hobbies extra-curriculum activities awards volunteer or service learning experiences

Emphasize Career Development Plan  Offer career preparation experiences as valuable tools to use in selecting a career, making educational decisions, and seeking employment resume letters of application letters of reference educational plan of study student service strategy plan career assessments: interest inventories, aptitude/ability tests career and educational goals

Use a 3-Part Transition Assessment Model  Career Interest Assessments and Exploration used to help students select employment goals  Independent Living / Vocational Assessments used to help students select independent living and vocational skills and goals  Self-Determination Assessments used to help students identify and reflect self goals

Resources for Transition Purposes --- Make an Effort to Network !

Curriculum Materials for College Going  Career Choices  Reach for College (books to order for curriculum – grade specific)  College Prep Course (an introductory video with a brief overview) q=f# (collegeprepcoach.net is the official site to order materials)

Resources for Individuals and Families with special needs in Transition.  Where do you look to find resources? What resources are available? What are the requirements to access the resources? How do you know where to start?  In Oklahoma one of the best places to start is the OU Zarrow Center. For the last 12 years experts in the transition field have been storing information on the Zarrow Center website.  Documents, training material, and resources are all stored in one site. The resources are not just recognized in OK but other states also turn to the Zarrow Center website for resources and information on the latest trends and information.  partnerships/zarrow.html partnerships/zarrow.html

OK Agencies who Support Individuals with Disabilities  ABLE Tech OK  OK Dept. of Human Services – DD Services  OK Dept. of Mental Health  OK Dept. of Rehabilitation Services  OK Developmental Disabilities Council  OK Disability Law Center  OK Employment Security Commission  OK Family Network  OK State Dept. of Education  OK State Dept. of Special Education  OK State Dept. of Health  OU Health Sciences, Child Study Center  OU Zarrow Center  Parent Training and Info. Center  Tribal Voc. Rehabilitation  Workforce OK  Youth Leadership Forum

OK Conferences Serving Individuals with Disabilities Topics  Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities This conference is designed for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, their loved ones, direct support and other professionals, policymakers and self-advocates.  Learning Disabilities Association of OK (LDAO) LDAO is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and their families through education, advocacy, research, and service.

OK Conferences cont.  OK- Council for Exceptional Children (OK CEC) The OKCEC works to improve the educational success of individuals with disabilities. The voice and vision of special education in support of the activities and positions of the National Council for Exceptional Children.  OK Transition Institute (OTI) served by the OTC The mission of the Oklahoma Transition Council is to improve transition education, planning, and services that lead to successful post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. partnerships/zarrow/oklahoma-transition-council.html

OK Conferences cont.  OK Association on Higher Education and Disability (OK AHEAD) OK AHEAD furthers full participation for individuals with disabilities in Oklahoma post-secondary education through collaboration, information dissemination, advocacy, professional and policy development, and research and continues the mission for disability service providers and the students they serve.  OK Association of People Supporting Employment (OK APSE) The only national organization with an exclusive focus on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities. APSE is a consistent voice demanding that every individual with a disability have the same opportunities for employment as every other citizen.

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities  Often additional training is needed for students with disabilities. Where do you go to find scholarships and other funding?  The Education Services, Special Population (ESSP) division offers the Casy Cundiff scholarship every year.  The best place to go to see a variety of scholarships that are offered to individuals with disabilities is the OKAHEAD website. 

Thank You ! Denise North, MSHR Adm., MEd Claudia Otto, Ph.D