Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/dpn/
and
The Burton Blatt Institute
Syracuse University
http://bbi.syr.edu
One–Stop Toolkit
Resources of the Week Technical Assistance Project E–Mail listserv
16 May 2008
Good morning everyone,
Below please find the web site and publication of the week, as well as other resources that we hope will be useful as you work on systems change activities to help improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
To subscribe and / or view past resources of the week archives, access: www.onestoptoolkit.org and click on the link to "Resources of the Week" on the right hand side of the home page.
To view an indexed list of the resources of the week by subject matter, visit the L.P.H.D.C. web site at http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/resources/wig/default.asp. It currently includes 20 categories, covering over 300 annotated references. Each category opens to a new window with each Resource of the Week which covered material in that area.
Have a good day and weekend!
Laura Gleneck
Program Associate
Law, Health Policy & Disability Center
University of Iowa College of Law
P: 617–489–0086
F: 617–489–1374
[ E–mail Lgleneck@mail.law.uiowa.edu ]
[ E–mail LFarah8@aol.com ]
[ http://www.onestoptoolkit.org ]
Hello again Navigators, the highlights this week will focus on the theme of “learning.” But before we get to that, as you know across the nation One-Stop Career Centers and Local/State Workforce Investment Agencies are learning more about the benefits of becoming Employment Networks (ENs) through the Ticket to Work Program. Please check out under “Upcoming Events of Interest,” the pre-conference that will be taking place the morning of this year’s Workforce Innovations in New Orleans (July 15th), That’s the Ticket: A Win-Win Partnership to Promote the Workforce Investment System’s Participation in the Ticket to Work Program. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, Social Security Administration, as well as state and local EN examples will be featured and topics will include the final regulations (which are moving forward), new practices, resources, and tools to enhance strategies in a recent DOL Training and Employment Notice. This is your chance to personally interact with colleagues who are implementing this strategy at the state and local levels and to develop an individualized action plan to take back. There are also a lot of other great recommended workshops of interest especially for the disability field that are highlighted under “Upcoming Events of Interest” as well, so please check them out and share with your One-Stop staff, partners, and LWIBs who are going to be attending this great event.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when I ask what is your community doing to promote access to STEM learning opportunities and jobs for students with disabilities? Well, if you’re anything like me, you might say what is “S T E M.” Hopefully, the next question might be and what does it have to do with people with disabilities? Well, I am glad that you asked because this week’s issue has several resources that can respond to both of these questions.
Many of the fastest growing jobs in America will be filled by “knowledge workers” who have specialized skills-- especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (better known by the acronym STEM). STEM jobs are critically important to the growth and competitive success of the U.S. in the global economy of the 21st century. Of particular interest to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is broadening participation in the STEM field by women, underrepresented minorities, disadvantaged youth, dislocated workers, and people with disabilities. DOL is promoting an action agenda, in collaboration with other stakeholders to: expand the pool of potential STEM hires; strengthen the pathway of non-traditional populations into STEM careers; assist the One-Stop Career Center system to become knowledgeable on STEM pipeline issues; and build capacity within the One-Stop Career Centers to provide career guidance on the STEM fields including approaches for developing proficiency, using apprenticeships, internships, on-the-job training, alternative career pathway/career lattice models and non-academic training routes.
[The upcoming event is located under the section "Upcoming Events of Interest"]
On May 8th, DOL’s Employment and Training Administration hosted a Workforce3 One webinar that provided participants with an opportunity to learn about effective practices, innovative strategies, and successful outcomes for increasing STEM participation in education and employment of individuals with disabilities. There are several existing programs that have an excellent track record for broadening STEM participation by including people with disabilities. This Webinar highlighted several of these programs:
You can download the archived presentation by clicking on the URL. You must be a registered user of the Workforce3 One website. You may also send an e-mail to E–mail laura-farah@uiowa.edu requesting an electronic file sent via e-mail (it is about a 2.9 MB file).
This webinar shared a lot of great information and useful resources for workforce professionals to look into further in their areas to connect individuals with disabilities with STEM learning opportunities. These resources and information are highlighted under both “Resources of Interest” and “Websites of the Week.” For instance, under “Resources of Interest,” you can locate:
[This resource of interest is located under the section "Resources of Interest"]
These alliances employ proven practices to increase the quality and number of students with disabilities completing post-secondary STEM degrees and entering the workforce. The four alliances include the following. If there is no alliance associated with your state, then contact the nearest alliance. They may be able to offer guidance to connect you to resources within your area.
Under the “Websites of Interest” section, you can learn more about websites of interest relative to STEM and people with disabilities including MentorNet and Entry Point!
[This information resource is located under the section "For Your Information"]
First, check out some mental health activities that are taking place across the Nation highlight by SAMHSA’s Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health under “For Your Action/Information.”
[The publication is in the section "Publications of the Week".]
NCWD/Youth carried out a study on successful strategies to help youth with mental health needs transition to postsecondary education, employment, and independent lives. The study focuses primarily on the role of skills development, work, and career exploration. It presents the findings from case studies of five promising program sites and identifies program design features and system-level policies that appear to help youth and young adults with mental health needs better transition into adulthood and life-long success.
It is always a good idea to review the table of content to see if there are other resources that may be of interest to you. Enjoy!
Danna Rhinehart, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Area Navigator (414-270-1705 / E–mail Drhineha@milwjobs.com), recently received a "Dedication Award" from the Milwaukee Asset Building Coalition (MBAC), for her commitment in getting them involved with bringing attention to the disability community. This Coalition is a public private partnership that through education, planning and income, assists low-income Milwaukee County residents achieve financial independence. The Social Development Commission (SDC) is the lead agency for MBAC. The coalition focuses on three facets: education/awareness, free tax filing services and asset development and outcome evaluation. Since Danna’s involvement, they have had training from Independence First on disability awareness for the agency as a whole and the tax preparers. Danna also assisted them in getting free tax preparation venues at Independence First and Goodwill Industries of South Eastern Wisconsin.
More information on the Milwaukee Asset Building Coalition is available at: http://www.cr-sdc.org/Programs/VITA.html. Also, access the National Disability Institute for more information on promoting income preservation and asset development for persons with disabilities and to build healthy financial futures for Americans with disabilities at http://www.ndi-inc.org/ and the Real Economic Impact Tour at http://www.reitour.org/.
[The article is listed below in its entirety.]
Finding and keeping good workers are among the greatest challenges facing businesses in the 21st century. Today, more than ever, businesses need access to a skilled and diverse workforce. They cannot stay competitive and increase profitability without qualified personnel. People with disabilities are a source of qualified workers that is frequently overlooked. This pool of workers represents one of the largest groups seeking employment in today’s market — some 9 million unemployed Americans with significant disabilities want to work.
In 2001, Booz Allen Hamilton (http://www.boozallen.com/), a strategy and technology consulting firm, founded the Emerging Leaders Program, which is designed to place college students with disabilities into competitive internships within the company. The program not only provides students with work experience in the private sector, but it couples that experience with leadership development at non-profit organizations or within federal agencies.
According to Booz Allen Hamilton Chairman and CEO, Ralph Shrader, "A job is much more than a paycheck. It provides a means for us to learn and grow, to contribute to society, feel recognized and rewarded, and form deep friendships. For people with disabilities, finding a job—and gaining the significant benefits that come along with employment—can be especially difficult. Hiring qualified men and women with disabilities is good business and good citizenship."
Recently Booz Allen has transitioned the Emerging Leaders Program to the National Business and Disability Council in order to expand the program to more students and companies. Today the program assists corporations across the country in not only finding qualified young people to work, but it also helps them to consider diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices.
Access the following website to learn more about the Emerging Leaders Program at http://www.emerging-leaders.com/.
May is Mental Health Month! The ADS Center is pleased to announce the following activities taking place in communities throughout the Nation. For more information on existing campaigns and programs, please visit http://stopstigma.samhsa.gov/campaigns/default.aspx.
On May 17th, the Colorado Homeless Women’s Task Force in Denver, Colorado will present a workshop titled, "Improving Your Understanding of the Issues of Mental Illness and Recovery." This event will be open to the general public and will feature door prizes, special food, small groups and a raffle. Contact: Carol Lease, 303-320-1989 x 211 or E–mail carol-lease@empowermentprogram.org
Clark County in Washington will be observing "May is Mental Health Month" by hosting a series of events with the theme of "Get Connected,” including the announcement of the "Visions of Recovery" poster contest which is hosted by Clark County’s Regional Support Network. The Clark County Board of Commissioners also adopted a proclamation on May 6th to proclaim May as Mental Health Month in Clark County. This organization will also be hosting a series of discussions called "Recovery Interfaces," offered by Consumer Voices Are Born (CVAB). These discussions will feature a CVAB community participant who will share his or her journey of recovery. CONTACT: Geoff Knapp, Public Affairs and Communications, 360- 397-2130.
North Country Community Mental Health in Michigan also announced their participation in "May is Mental Health Month," by using the same theme of "Get Connected." On May 1st, former NFL quarterback Eric Hipple, a member of the 1980-1990 Detroit Lions, participated in an open discussion about mental illness and suicide. Mr. Hipple is now the Outreach Coordinator for the University of Michigan Depression Center. On May 14th consumers from this organization will be participating in the statewide "Walk a Mile in My Shoes Rally" at the State Capitol. Consumers will walk a "symbolic mile" by the State Capitol building and communicate statements about mental health during a legislative day. CONTACT: Jan Smith, Assistant Director of Administrative Services, 231-533-8619
During May individuals involved with the NAMI "In Our Own Voice" program of Missouri will be presenting at the public library in Fulton. CONTACT: Gloria Smith 573-592-1972
Mental Health Ministries, www.mentalhealthministries.net
This website has several free, downloadable resources for May is Mental Health Month. Many are available in English and Spanish. CONTACT: Rev. Susan Gregg-Schroeder, Coordinator of Mental Health Ministries E–mail sgschroed@cox.net
To kick off the month, the Personal Recovery Center in Tacoma, Washington had a Recovery Awards Ceremony promoting recovery concepts and giving Veterans who are working towards their recovery an opportunity to speak with providers and family members. Towards the end of the month, on May 27th, this organization will be hosting a combination film festival and information/ awareness event for veterans, providers and family members to attend. CONTACT: Alicia "Allie" Franklin, LICSW, Local Recovery Coordinator, American Lake Puget Sound Health Care System, 253-583-1795, E–mail alicia.franklin2@va.gov
The Tennessee Mental Health Consumers Association will be hosting a series of public education forums across the state titled "Mental Health Awareness: Erasing Stigma and Achieving Wellness." CONTACT: Karen Brasher, Tennessee Mental Health Consumers’ Association East Tennessee Advocate, 423-775-3206, E–mail kbrasher@tmhca-tn.org
The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging proclaimed that this year’s theme for Older Americans Month 2008 is Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities. As more and more Americans age in place, communities recognize the importance of providing infrastructure to support them. Transportation is essential to strong, healthy and supportive communities; without accessible transportation many seniors can not get to essential services and community activities.
Access the website to learn more about transportation activities and services for key stakeholders including aging/human service providers, transportation providers, and older adults and caregivers.
The conference will be an interactive, working meeting that will result in concrete recommendations the ISE can use to establish a five-year interagency research agenda. The conference will concentrate on the following core themes:
The Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) facilitates information exchanges on disability and rehabilitation research activities across the federal government and seeks participation and input from federal and non-federal partners.
Workforce Innovations 2008: Success Decoded will bring together local, state and national-level strategic workforce investment partners to learn from successes and cultivate the talent development solutions needed in today’s global economy. Workforce Innovations is the premier annual conference promoting collaboration among leaders from workforce development, business, economic development, education, community-based organizations, and philanthropy.
For those who will be attending this year’s premier event, there will be many great workshops and exhibits to choose from. In this issue and in future issues, we will highlight workshops of interest you may wish to check out.
If you are planning to attend Workforce Innovations, be certain that your plans include participating in this very informative workshop on the Ticket to Work Program, including the final regulations, new practices, resources, and tools to enhance strategies in a recent DOL Training and Employment Notice. This is your chance to personally interact with colleagues who are implementing this strategy at the state and local levels and to develop an individualized action plan to take back.
The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act was
enacted in 1999 to expand the employment opportunities for
Social Security beneficiaries (Supplemental Security Income
(SSI)) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)) by providing
incentives and options for them to enter or re-enter the world
of work. The Ticket Program is intended to provide SSI and
SSDI beneficiaries with greater choices in obtaining employment,
vocational rehabilitation, or other support services from public
and private providers approved to function as Employment Networks
(ENs). This voluntary program will enable beneficiaries to
obtain, regain, or maintain employment and to reduce their
dependency on cash assistance. The new regulations revise the
reimbursement process and provide greater financial incentives
and flexibility to make the Ticket Program more attractive
for providers, making it more viable for One-Stop Career Centers
and LWIBs to become ENs.
Iowa and Jacksonville represent two One-Stop Career Center models for becoming ENs. States will have an opportunity to hear first-hand from Iowa and Florida: how their One-Stop Career Centers/LWIBs became ENs; the challenges; milestones of progress; and potential return on investment. Participants will have the opportunity to personally interact with their colleagues who are implementing this strategy at the state and local levels; develop an individualized action plan to take back; and receive a "walk-through" of the EN application process.
One-Stop Career Centers and LWIBS should consider becoming ENs because this program is a potential funding source for any entity that provides return-to work services to Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities. It is likely that you are already providing such services to your customers with disabilities. This makes good business sense and will enable you to leverage funding to maximize services to your customers and better respond to the needs of your business customers. ETA has been working with SSA to promote the Ticket Program to One-Stop Career Centers and LWIBs. The Disability Program Navigators (DPNs) are playing a leadership role in this process. There area myriad of tools and resources to assist you as you explore and implement Ticket to Work in your area.
REGISTRATION: To register for this pre-conference learning lab, please R.S.V.P. by sending an e-mail to Laura at E–mail LFarah8@aol.com. Include your name, program affiliation, e-mail address and phone.
Learning Lab Flyer: If you would like to share more information about this learning lab with your colleagues (One-Stop Partners / LWIBs), send an e-mail to E–mail LFarah8@aol.com to request a one-page flyer….Help spread the word!
Access to skilled talent and the ability to leverage public and private resources are two important factors driving regional economic transformation. As regional leaders develop their implementation plans, they should consider the significant available resources devoted to assessment, education, training and support for individuals with disabilities. Learn how the Metro Denver and Southwestern Connecticut WIRED regions are meting employer demand by taping into the labor pool of individuals with disabilities and leveraging disability-related resources.
Obtaining and maintaining employment is a vital key to successful reentry of offenders into the community. An unemployed offender is four times more likely to return to prison. This webinar will present effective, outcome-based, collaborative efforts between the workforce investment system, apprenticeship programs, employers, and the criminal justice system, which provide career opportunities for ex-offenders and a trained workforce to meet the needs of the 21st century workforce.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) reports that people with disabilities are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies and careers. NSF and others report evidence-based practices to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM to include: technology access; hands-on STEM activities; self-determination skill building; college and career preparation activities; bridges between academic levels and careers; work-based experiences; peer and mentor support; tutoring; and preparing educators and employers to work with individuals who have disabilities.
There are several existing programs that have an excellent track record for broadening STEM participation by including people with disabilities. This Webinar highlighted several of these programs:
This webinar, which was held on May 8th, provided participants with an opportunity to engage in a highly interactive discussion with the staff from these programs to learn about their effective practices, innovative strategies, and successful outcomes for increasing STEM participation in education and employment of individuals with disabilities.
You can download the archived presentation by clicking on the URL. You must be a registered user of the Workforce3 One website. You may also send an e-mail to E–mail laura-farah@uiowa.edu requesting an electronic file sent via e-mail (it is about a 2.9 MB file).
This webinar shared a lot of great information and useful resources for workforce professionals to look into further in their areas to connect individuals with disabilities with STEM learning opportunities. These resources and information are highlighted under both “Resources of Interest” and “Websites of the Week.”
[Excerpted from the Webinar Power Point presentation.] Many of the fastest growing jobs in America will be filled by “knowledge workers” who have specialized skills-- especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). STEM jobs are critically important to the growth and competitive success of the U.S. in the global economy of the 21st century. DOL believes the public workforce investment system has an important role in strengthening the STEM pipeline, in collaboration with Federal agencies and strategic partners in the public and private sectors. Such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Of particular interest to DOL is broadening participation in the STEM field by women, underrepresented minorities, disadvantaged youth, dislocated workers, and people with disabilities. DOL is promoting an action agenda, in collaboration with other stakeholders to: expand the pool of potential STEM hires; strengthen the pathway of non-traditional populations into STEM careers; assist the One-Stop Career Center system to become knowledgeable on STEM pipeline issues; and build capacity within the One-Stop Career Centers to provide career guidance on the STEM fields including approaches for developing proficiency, using apprenticeships, internships, on-the-job training, alternative career pathway/career lattice models and non-academic training routes.
On December 31, 2007, ETA issued a Training and Employment Notice, No. 23-07, entitled “Building and Sustaining and Educated Prepared STEM Workforce,” available at: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?docn=2568 [ Get free Adobe Reader ]. This communication to the field describes ETA’s STEM Initiatives and provides resources. On January 15, 2008, ETA announced a new, two-phrase $10 million grant competition to expand the workforce investment system’s capacity to support STEM careers. The competition is open to local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs). Funds are expected to be awarded in fall 2008, following a two-stage process. The first phase (submission of a concept paper) closed on March 11, 2008. After a review, applicants of selected initial proposals will be notified to develop full proposals for Phase II of the competition.
These alliances employ proven practices to increase the quality and number of students with disabilities completing post-secondary STEM degrees and entering the workforce. The four alliances include the following. If there is no alliance associated with your state, then contact the nearest alliance. They may be able to offer guidance to connect you to resources within your area.
MentorNet is the award-winning nonprofit e-mentoring network that positively affects the retention and success of those in engineering, science and mathematics, particularly but not exclusively women and others underrepresented in these fields. Founded in 1997, MentorNet provides highly motivated protégés from many of the world’s top colleges and universities with positive, one-on-one, email-based mentoring relationships with mentors from industry, government, and higher education. In addition, the MentorNet Community provides opportunities to connect with others from around the world who are interested in diversifying engineering and science.
The MentorNet Community, where members can take advantage of:
ENTRY POINT! is a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) offering Outstanding Internship Opportunities for Students with Disabilities in Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, and some fields of Business. To meet the challenge of the competitive global economy in the new millennium, private industry and government research agencies must expand the pool of technical talent.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has developed unique partnerships with IBM, NASA, Merck, NOAA, Google, Lockheed Martin, CVS, NAVAIR, Pfizer, Infosys, and university science laboratories to meet their human resources needs. Working with its partners, AAAS identifies and screens undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing degrees in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and some fields of business, and places them in paid summer internships.
The ENTRYPOINT!! program includes opportunities in private industry and government agencies. Students with disabilities can apply their skills in a real-world setting in competitive summer internships. The ENTRYPOINT! internships are particularly valuable because of the availability of mentoring and assistive technology, facilitating the entry and advancement of individuals with significant disabilities into competitive employment and research at all levels.
NCWD/Youth, with funding from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) of the U.S. Department of Labor, carried out a study on successful strategies to help youth with mental health needs transition to postsecondary education, employment, and independent lives. The study focuses primarily on the role of skills development, work, and career exploration. It presents the findings from case studies of five promising program sites and identifies program design features and system-level policies that appear to help youth and young adults with mental health needs better transition into adulthood and life-long success.
[The following is excerpted from the Executive Summary.]
The Medicaid Buy-In program is part of a broader federal effort to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Authorized by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, the Buy-In program allows states to expand Medicaid coverage to workers with disabilities whose income and assets would ordinarily make them ineligible for Medicaid.
States can customize their Buy-In programs to their unique needs, resources, and objectives. This flexibility leads to considerable state-to-state variation in three outcomes that are key measures of program performance: enrollment, employment, and earnings. This variation also creates an ideal opportunity not only to examine the relationship between program design features and program outcomes, but also to identify which features can lead to improved employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
This report, prepared by Mathematica Policy Research (MPR) under contract to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is the latest in a series of annual reports on participation in the Medicaid Buy-In program. It presents a profile of enrollment, employment, and earnings in the 32 states with both a Buy-In program and a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) in 2006. More specifically, it investigates the association between participants’ characteristics and state program features as well as the employment rates and annual earnings of participants.
Access the URL to read the full report. The key findings related to “Employment” have been included below:
[The following is excerpted from the Preamble to this report.]
The purpose of this paper is to help the National Council on Disability (NCD), and others, better understand how the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, if ratified by the United States, might impact U.S. disability laws by examining the degree to which U.S. law is consistent with the CRPD. The paper endeavors to analyze the issue in the way a treaty monitoring body would – to see if any area within federal law contravenes the Convention and/or whether there are gaps where legislation or practice might be introduced or reformed to ensure compliance. This is not an empirical analysis. NCD does not endorse, nor do we disclaim, the author’s conclusions. At this juncture, the CRPD has not been subjected to the scrutiny and interpretation of an international monitoring body. The CRPD creates a Committee tasked with reviewing regular reports of States Parties. It will ultimately be up to that Committee to fill in the gaps and choose between competing interpretations.
In November 2001, the United Nations General Assembly established an Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) to “consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral convention on the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.” This action came after many years of advocacy by the disability community for the inclusion of disability in the UN human rights legal framework.
During the six years of the drafting of the Convention, the United States provided fundamental and valued technical assistance during the eight sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee. The U.S. delegation drew on our nation’s prolific experience with disability laws and policies in providing guidance on the foundational principles of the Convention. In both our mandated advisory role and that of promoting policy that enhances the lives of people with disabilities, the National Council on Disability (NCD) was pleased to support the efforts of the United States in the Convention development process.
The Convention opened for signature on March 30, 2007. Since that time, over 120 countries have signed the Convention and over 20 have ratified it.
On March 5, 2007, NCD wrote to the President of the United States regarding the Convention’s recent adoption. In that letter, the Council noted the Administration’s concern that, for some countries, the Convention will provide a baseline standard rather than provide the full spectrum of rights available under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We urged the President to sign the Convention to provide the United States’ clear support for the principles of this landmark treaty and to continue our country’s tradition as a world leader for people with disabilities.
Following the issuance of that letter, the Council met in Chicago in July 2007, and discussed drafting a paper to guide NCD’s future work on issues related to the Convention. This paper came about as a result of that discussion, and is intended to serve as background for the Council’s informed decision on the merits of signing and ratifying the CRPD, as well as an introspection of currently prevailing laws, policies, and practices more generally. NCD also hopes that one of the outcomes from the release of this paper will be that of focusing the United States disability community on a discussion that will allow for confirmation or rejection of the premises set forth in the body of the analysis, in pursuit of a better understanding of U.S. disability law and the Convention.
[The following is excerpted from the Introduction.]
This Toolkit is intended to help guidance and career counselors to better assist high school students with disabilities in accomplishing transitions into postsecondary education and employment. The 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that beginning no later than the first Individualized Education Program (IEP) to be in effect when the child is 16, and updated annually thereafter, the IEP include appropriate, measurable postsecondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills.
High school counselors are important allies and advocates of students with disabilities who are planning for these transitions. In developing this handbook, we reached out across the country to counselors, who generously shared with us their thoughts and concerns about the particular challenges confronting today’s high school students with disabilities. In response to their input, we have assembled this Toolkit of information and resources.
The Toolkit is designed for easy reference and use. Each
topic heading appears in the form of a question in the Table
of Contents, and each corresponding section contains discussion
that provides answers to the question posed. Each section concludes
with a list of references and sources from which the discussion
was drawn. Counselors should take particular note of these
sources, as many are significant in the field of postsecondary
education and disability. Concluding the Toolkit are the Appendices,
which consist of an extensive listing of related organizations
and websites, and a packet of additional tools to further your
work with students. The Toolkit is also available on CD-ROM
and appears at the HEATH Website,
www.heath.gwu.edu.