Transition services, accommodations, and supports help students gain access to and achieve success within chosen postschool options. Postschool options may include postsecondary education, community service, employment, mental and physical health care, access to transportation, access to financial planning advice and management, and participation in leisure or recreational activities, as well as a number of other adult roles.
Most students use informal sources of support such as family, friends, community education programs, recreation programs, and employers. Federal and state laws require the provision of individualized services to student with disabilities. For these students, receiving appropriate assistance requires service coordination, which is a structured, cooperative effort among organizations and agencies to effectively and efficiently provide services to those who qualify for them
The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) has released the 2014 Higher Education Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities includes information for future college students, parents, high school counselors and other educators. For students who are not college bound, information is available about other educational options and choosing a career. The guide also includes information regarding the full process of preparing for higher education.
Additionally, TCDD’s The Next Step Video and Discussion Guide includes inspirational stories of five Texans with disabilities who attended colleges, universities or technical schools. Discussion sheets include tips for parents, teachers, counselors, and vocational and transition staff as well as publications and multimedia resources.
TEA offers the Graduation Toolkit to students, parents and school staff. The toolkit provides essential information regarding the new graduation plan under House Bill 5, which was passed by the Texas Legislature last year. House Bill 5 provides for a more flexible graduation program for all students who enter high school beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.
The Transition and Employment Guide is now available! See attached guides within this webpage provided in English and Spanish.
The Transition and Employment Guide provides helpful information for students and parents in Texas public schools, who may have received special education services due to a disability. This guide has steps students can take to make sure they are able to find the right work or educational options after high school.
Transition Resources
A Life 4 Me! A website for middle schoolers with disabilities and their parents – Plan for life after high school – Try “Who Am I” and “Jobs for Me” activities – Hear tips from high schoolers with disabilities – Explore neat places to work or hang out in our cyber
Achieve Texas is designed to help students (and their parents) make wise education choices. It is an education initiative designed to prepare students for a lifetime of success. It allows students to achieve excellence by preparing them for secondary and post-secondary opportunities, career preparation and advancement, meaningful work and active citizenship.
Casey Life Skills Sponsored by the Casey Family Programs and affiliated with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a private, not-for-profit organization devoted to serving children in foster care and children who are at risk for poor educational, economic, social, and health outcomes, this website provides free and useful tools to help young people prepare for adulthood. Resources include personal assessments in English and Spanish, a life-skills learning plan, a listserv registration opportunity, and many other resources.
Career Technical Education (CTE) 16 Career Clusters– a career-focused strategy for Career Technical Education that supports workforce preparation, economic development and educational reform. The site provides information regarding the 16 Career Clusters and Related Career Pathways to help students of all ages explore different career options and better prepare for college and career.
Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) The Department of Aging and Disability Services administers programs that help Texans with disabilities live independently in their communities and assist families of children with disabilities by providing programs such as services for adults and children with medical or physical disabilities, services for older adults (60+) and caregivers, services for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disability
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, or DARS, administers programs that ensure Texas is a state where people with disabilities, and children who have developmental delays, enjoy the same opportunities as other Texans to live independent and productive lives. The department has four divisions: Rehabilitation Services, Blind Services , Early Childhood Intervention Services, Disability Determination Services. Through these divisions, DARS administers programs that help Texans with disabilities find jobs through vocational rehabilitation, ensure that Texans with disabilities live independently in their communities, and assist families in helping their children under age 3 with disabilities and delays in development reach their full potential.
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) consolidated the community mental health services and state hospital programs of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, alcohol and drug abuse services of the Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and health programs of the Department of health.
Disability Friendly Colleges Resources, articles, and information related to disability friendly colleges
Going to College Sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University through funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, this website contains information about living college life with a disability. It’s designed for high school students and provides video clips, activities, and additional services that can help to get a head start in planning for college. Through interviews, students can hear firsthand from students with disabilities who have been successful.
Graduation Guidance: Special Education Region XIII Service Center has put together a collection of links for parents and educators related to special education transition and graduation. Information includes the options and requirements for students with disabilities planning to graduate from public schools in Texas.
I’m Determined This program sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Centers. focuses on providing direct instruction, models, and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior beginning at the elementary level and continuing through the student’s educational career. It is about building self-determination and self-advocacy skills in youth, as well as strategies for supporting youth in running their own IEPs. There are lesson plans, checklists, curricula, and more.
Labor Market and Career Information (LMCI) is a department of the Texas Workforce Commission within the External Relations Division. The mission is to improve the way Texans make career and education decisions by providing useful and reliable information about careers, educational training options and jobs.
Learn More Interest Assessment Indiana is a partnership of state and local organizations working to help students of all ages succeed in school, complete college and connect to careers. This website provides an opportunity to explore your interests and skills with two simple assessments that will help you decide which careers would be a good fit and which level of education will be necessary to meet the goal.
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures. Many resources for youth and families are available in both English and Spanish.
Own Your Own Future Own Your Own Future is brought to you by Texas GEAR UP and the Texas Education Agency.There are videos, web resources and activities being added to the site all the time, so be sure to keep checking back! This site is for parent, students, and educators. Video transcripts are available and they have an app now for tablets and smartphones.
PACER Center PACER Center was created by parents of children and youth with disabilities to help other parents and families facing similar challenges. Its mission is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents. Site includes a comprehensive catalogue of both free and for purchase publications.
Partner Resource Network (Texas) Their mission is to empower parents of children and youth with disabilities in their roles as parents, decision makers, and advocates for their children and to promote partnerships among parents and professionals. The transition page includes information about issues including postsecondary education, non-degree postsecondary options, and employment. The site also includes some resources in Spanish and other languages.
PEPNet 2 iTransition This is a series of four, online trainings created to assist students who are deaf or hard of hearing transition successfully from high school to postsecondary education or work. These trainings include activities that help students learn more about themselves, their career goals, and the skills they need to be successful in the postsecondary setting. Teacher Guides for each training and support materials are available on this website.
Texas Project FIRST This website is a project of the Texas Education Agency and is committed to providing accurate and consistent information to parents & families of students with disabilities. Its information is organized according to age groups and is available in Spanish as well as English. People can register to receive email updates as new information is added to the site.
Texas College & Career This career resource site is FREE for all Texas Middle and high school students, Web-based, accessible anywhere at anytime, Occupational Interest and Skill Surveys, Intuitive student portfolio, resume, & planning tool, Full college search & comparisons, Provides tools for financial aid search & applications, and Online training modules accessible for students, parents, and counselors. Browse entire site in English and Spanish!
Think College The site provides information about college possibilities for students with intellectual disabilities. The site is divided into sections for students, family members, and professionals and features a searchable database of postsecondary programs, a discussion board designed by students, the “Choice for Everyone” listserv, and a resource section.
Transition in Texas The purpose of this website is to provide viewers with a knowledge of the secondary transition process and links to other resources that can provide information needed to help facilitate students in the attainment of their postsecondary goals.
Texas Work Prep This is a website built to manage the delivery of search content and resources and to facilitate “anytime, anywhere” access to learning more about getting, and keeping the job of your choice. Texas Work Prep contains three online courses (Job Hunter’s Guide, Succeed at Work and Your Next Job). Each web course is designed to help job seekers master an effective job search process.
Transition to Independence Process – Website with transition planning resources dedicated for individuals with disabilities related to emotional disturbances and/or behavioral disorders.
Vocational Information Center This website is an educational directory that provides links to online resources for career exploration opportunities, trade and technical schools and related vocational learning resources.
Waisman Center Resources include links to other sites with topics including assistive technology, transition planning and checklists, benefits and financial planning, community living, education, employment, health and health care, housing, mental health, relationships, sexuality, and many more. Publications include a training guide – for families and young adults, and a book of individual transition stories.
Volunteering
- Points of Light– Bountiful resource for everything you want to know about volunteering.
- Hands On Central Texas
- Lists over 600 volunteer opportunities
- Create your own profile and be notified when a match is found.