NSTTAC Internet Resources
NSTTAC Internet Resources The following resources are categorized into one or more
of the following categories:
Career and Technical Education,
College Planning Resources, Data Relating
to Transition, Employer-Related Information,
Federal Resources,
Technical Assistance and Related Service Providers,
Parent Organizations, Resources for Youth,
Professional Organizations,
Communities of Practices Relating to Transition,
Postsecondary Education Resources, and School
to Work Resources.
The Association
for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) On-line offers information on
career and technical education. Career and technical education is about helping
students, workers and lifelong learners of all ages fulfill their working potential.
First and foremost it's about high school and college education that provides students
with: Academic subject matter taught with relevance to the real world, often called
contextual learning; employability skills, from job-related skills to workplace
ethics; and Education pathways that help students explore interests and careers
in the process of progressing through school. But career and technical education
is also about: Second-chance education and training for the unemployed and those
seeking to upgrade their employability skills; education to earn additional degrees,
especially when related to career advancement; and corporate training, continuing
education, skills upgrades and refresher courses for those already in the workplace.
The Career Key
Developed by Lawrence K. Jones, Ph.D., The Career Key is based on Holland's work.
The Career Key test measures a user's skills, abilities, values, and interests and
returns information designed to help the user learn about him or herself, discover
career options, and make good decisions. There is a nominal fee for the test which
can be completed in less than ten minutes. Other areas of the site include good
information and related resources and are free to access.
The mission of the National Research
Center for Career and Technical Education is to improve the engagement,
achievement and transition of high school and postsecondary CTE students through
technical assistance to states, professional development for CTE practitioners and
dissemination of knowledge derived from scientifically based research.
Colleges: A Guide for Students with Physical Disabilities
The Guide can be found at http://www.disabilityfriendlycolleges.com/
"Disability-Friendly Colleges: A Guide for Students with Physical Disabilities"
is an online college guide for students with physical disabilities containing interactive
charts of the most disability friendly colleges and profiles of the colleges that
provide services necessary for students with physical disabilities to live on campus.
Frustrated at the lack of information available when beginning their college search,
an Atlanta college student and his mom created the website. It contains up-to-date
information such as: Detailed descriptions and photos of four colleges providing
all of the services necessary for seriously physically disabled students to live
on campus.
What will you find?
Interactive charts of 75 colleges that go beyond ADA including: accessibility, personal
care, transportation, adaptive sports, academic rank, contact information and how
the Ivy League stacks up, High school vs. college comparison, Tips on commuting
to college, 10 things students with physical disabilities should look for on a college
visit, An interactive disability-friendly college blog to help create a database
of college experiences and begin a conversation on college accessibility.
CollegeNET
CollegeNET allows users to browse information on colleges by various criteria, including
geography, tuition, and enrollment. More than 500 college applications are available
to be completed and submitted online. The site also includes financial aid and scholarship
information.
Education Online Search
Education Online Search is an unbiased resource for a variety of educational and
career programs. It provides an introduction and links to alternatives to traditional
colleges. Search by state, degree, or interest area. [Note, this link was applied
for by Education Online Search.]
GoCollege
GoCollege is a searchable guide to colleges, but it also helps users prepare for
the SAT and ACT exams, allowing free access to practice tests, though registration
is required. Check the site's front page regularly for the dates. Users are told,
"Our practice tests are written by testing experts. Your tests are saved under your
user ID for future reference."
Higher Education in the US of America and Canada
Features links and resources for students interested in attending college in the
United States. Includes a listing by state of both undergraduate and graduate programs.
IPEDS College Navigator
College Navigator is a research tool that allows access to information about more
than 9,000 vocational-technical schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Users may search College Navigator by geographic region, state, city, type of institution,
or instructional program, either alone or in combination. This is a product of the
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education
Data System (IPEDS).
MyMajors.com
MyMajors interviews students who do not know what they wish to major in. After a
10 minute interview it recommends five majors for the student to consider and it
offers extensive information about the majors commonly offered at most universities
and colleges.
RWM Vocational School Database
This is a database of private postsecondary vocational-technical schools in all
50 states, organized by state and training programs offered. All the schools listed
are state licensed or accredited, but the information is limi ted to the institution's
name, address, and phone number. At the top of each state is a link to resources
for that state from the U.S. Department of Education. Visually impaired users should
be aware that there is a Text Only alternative to the graphic map of the United
States at the top of that page.
USNews.com: Education
The publisher of U.S. News and World Report has produced one of the most outstanding
guides to educational information on the Web. Dedicated sections of this site focus
on college, community college, graduate school, e-learning, and financial aid; and
each is filled with quality news, information, and resources. USNews.com also lists
the annual rankings of colleges and graduate schools.
Data Relating to Transition
The Bazelon Center's
Fact Sheets
Fact sheets on 57 programs have been prepared by the center, run by over 20 different
agencies in nine departments of the federal government. These federal programs address
the wide range of needs of youth with serious mental health conditions who are transitioning
into adulthood.
National Longitudinal Transition Study
2 (NLTS2)
The National Longitudinal Transition Study, funded by the U. S. Department of Education,
documents the experiences and outcomes associated with a national sample of students
who were in special education and have exited school.
Special Education:
Federal Actions Can Assist States in Improving Postsecondary Outcomes For Youth
The U.S. General Accounting Office report provides information on the proportion
of IDEA students completing high school with a diploma or alternative credential
and their post-secondary status. It also describes the transition problems being
reported and state and local actions addressing them.
National Center on Educational
Outcomes (NCEO)
The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) provides national leadership
on educational assessments and accountability systems that monitor educational results
for all students, including students with disabilities and those with limited English
proficiency.
Work Support.Com
The purpose of the Virginia Commonwealth University RRTC on Workplace Supports and
Job Retention is to study supports that help individuals with disabilities maintain
employment and advance their careers. The primary stakeholders for this project
are persons with disabilities, with an emphasis on those who are unemployed, underemployed
or at risk of losing employment.
Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA)
This web site provides access to the most recent data about children with disabilities
served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These data
are collected annually by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education
Programs in accordance with Section 618 of IDEA. They are provided in the form of
tables produced for the Annual Reports to Congress.
Employer Related Information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field
of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is an independent national statistical
agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical
data to the American public, the U.S. Congress, other Federal agencies, State and
local governments, business, and labor. The BLS also serves as a statistical resource
to the Department of Labor. BLS data must satisfy a number of criteria, including
relevance to current social and economic issues, timeliness in reflecting todays
rapidly changing economic conditions, accuracy and consistently high statistical
quality, and impartiality in both subject matter and presentation.
What skills are necessary for success in the workplace? The Conference Board, Corporate Voices for Working Families, the
Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the Society for Human Resource Management
collaborated on this study that documents what corporations say tomorrows workers
will need in terms of skills. The resulting report offers insight into what teachers
need to do to help their students to become employable.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For hundreds of different types of jobs, the Occupational Outlook Handbook tells
you: The training and education needed; earnings; expected job prospects; what workers
do on the job and working conditions. In addition, the Handbook gives you job-search
tips, links to job market information, and lots more.
Training & Education Center from CareerOneStop
In this resource users can find information on degree programs, specialty training
opportunities, financial aid, certification and accreditation, and licensing for
the various states. You can also learn how career information can help with education
and training plans. There are links to additional training and education information
and articles on how to ensure the quality of the training before signing up for
a program. CareerOneStop is the new gateway site for employment and career information
from the US Department of Labor and the state employment services.Self-Assessment
Federal Resources
Federal Resource Center (FRC)
The FRC is funded by the federal
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to assist state education agencies
in the systemic improvement of education programs, practices, and policies that
affect children and youth with disabilities. It is the coordinating organization
for six Regional Resource Centers (RRCs) which offer consultation, information services,
technical assistance, training, and product development. The Regional Resource and
Federal Centers (RRFC) Network is made up of the six Regional Resource Centers for
Special Education (RRC) and the Federal Resource Center (FRC). The network shares
a single-portal website
IDEA (2004) Regulations Related to Secondary Transition
On August 14, 2006 and released by the U.S. Department of Education released the
official regulations for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement
Act (IDEA, 2004).
The National State Policy Database
(NSPD)
The database contains the federal special education regulations issued in August
2006 and state special education regulations from all states and the District of
Columbia with the following exceptions: (1) California special education statutes
are entered since that state is not using special education regulations, and (2)
the state special education regulations in Mississippi have been repealed and new
regulations are being developed. The database is designed and maintained through
a collaboration between the RRFC Network and NASDSE's Project Forum.
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is a component of the Office of
Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) within the U. S. Department
of Education. OSEP is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children
and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial
support to assist states and local districts. The Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA) authorizes
formula grants to states, and
discretionary grants to institutions of higher education and other non-profit
organizations to support research, demonstrations,
technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development.
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEPs)
IDEA website
The site provides a "one-stop shop" for resources related to IDEA and
its implementing regulations, released on August 3, 2006.
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Promising Practices
for Basic VR Agencies Helping Transition Age Youth - Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Education
These RSA identified promising practices provide useful samples of programs and
services that promote youth with disabilities transitioning from school to employment.
Contact information is provided for each practice.
U.S. Department of Justice Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The American with Disabilities Acts Home Page offers background information and
access to resources related to ADA.
Workforce
Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (Dept. of Labor)
The Workforce Recruitment Program connects employers to motivated postsecondary
students and recent graduates with disabilities.
Technical Assistance and Related Service Providers
Ablenet
We are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
Remarkable people who do remarkable things. For them, a disability is not a hindrance,
but a chance to explore - and interact with - the world in a completely different
way. Just look to the right. You will see just some of the remarkable things people
with disabilities are doing right now to improve the quality of their lives. We
stand in awe of their determination, their ability, and their creativity.
Deaf Blindness Technical Assistance
Resources
The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB) is a national technical assistance
and dissemination center for children and youth who are deaf-blind. Funded by the
U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), NCDB
builds on the technical assistance activities of NTAC, the information services
and dissemination activities of DB-LINK and adds a third focus related to personnel
training. NCDB brings together the resources of three agencies with long histories
of expertise in the field of deaf-blindness,
The Teaching Research Institute (TRI) at Western Oregon University, the
Helen Keller
National Center (HKNC), and the
Hilton/Perkins Program at Perkins School for the Blind. NCDB works collaboratively
with families, federal, state and local agencies to provide technical assistance,
information and personnel training.
The HSC Foundation
The HSC Foundation works to improve access to services for individuals with special
needs who face social and health care obstacles. One of the foundations four areas
of focus is the Youth Transitions Initiative which provides assistance to youth
with disabilities as they move from school to adulthood.
National Association of State Directors
of Special Education, Inc.
NASDSE operates for the purpose of providing services to state agencies to facilitate
their efforts to maximize educational outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
It is a not-for-profit organization that promotes and supports education programs
and related services for children and youth with disabilities in the United States
and outlying areas.
National Collaborative on Workforce
and Disability for Youth
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) assists
state and local workforce development systems to better serve youth with disabilities.
The NCWD/Youth, created in late 2001, is composed of partners with expertise in
disability, education, employment, and workforce development issues. Funded by a
grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy
(ODEP), the NCWD/Youth is housed at the Institute for Educational Leadership. NCWD/Youth
strives to ensure that youth with disabilities are provided full access to high
quality services in integrated settings in order to maximize their opportunities
for employment and independent living.
To accomplish our mission, we have established three distinct goals:
- Supporting state and local policies that promote full access to high quality services
for youth with disabilities;
- Strengthening the services provided by organizations responsible for delivery of
workforce development services; and,
- Improving the awareness, knowledge, and skills of individuals responsible for providing
direct services to youth.
National Center on Educational
Outcomes (NCEO)
The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) provides national leadership
in designing and building educational assessments and accountability systems that
appropriately monitor educational results for all students, including students with
disabilities and students with limited English proficiency
National Center on Secondary Education
and Transition (NCSET)
The 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.
National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHCY)
We serve the nation as a central source of information on disabilities in infants,
toddlers, children, and youth, IDEA, No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children
with disabilities), and research-based information on effective educational practices.
NICHCY's Transition Summary series focuses on preparing youth with disabilities
to move from high school to the adult world.
National Consortium On Leadership
and Disability for Youth Web Site
The National Consortium On Leadership and Disability for Youth (NCLD-Youth), housed
at the Institute for Educational Leadership and funded by the Administration on
Developmental Disabilities, recently launched a new Web site. NCLD-Youth is
a youth-led resource, information, and training center for youth and emerging leaders
with developmental disabilities. The project focuses on the five areas o youth
development: learning, connecting, thriving, working, and leading.
National Dropout Prevention
Center for Students with Disabilities (NDPC-SD)
NDPC-SD supports states in assisting local education agencies to increase school
completion rates and decrease dropout rates among students with disabilities. A
major goal of NDPC-SD is to provide effective technical assistance activities to
"scale up" the use of research-validated programs and interventions in
dropout prevention.
National High School Center
The National High School Center at the American Institutes
for Research (AIR) serves as the central source of information and expertise
on high school improvement for states, districts, and a national network of U.S.
Department of Education-sponsored
Technical Regional Centers. The High School Center identifies research-supported
improvement programs and tools, offers user-friendly products, and provides technical
assistance services to improve secondary education.
National Post-School Outcomes Center
(NPSO)
The National Post-School Outcomes Center (NPSO) is funded by OSEP to assist States
in collecting and using data on postsecondary education and employment status of
youth with disabilities. The center develops practical, efficient, cost-effective,
and sustainable strategies for collecting and using data to improve secondary, transition,
and post-secondary outcomes for youth with disabilities, as well as identifies state
needs and provides technical assistance that will result in improved systems for
post-school outcome data collection and use. The website includes information regarding
participation in an e-mail discussion forum, data collection tools, and other resources.
The National
Standards and Quality Indicators: Transition Toolkit for Systems Improvement
This comprehensive document, compiled by the National Center on Secondary Education
and Transition (NCSET), includes the standards and quality indicators, information
on supporting research and best practices, and specific system tools to support
state and community interagency planning groups. The system tools include a self-assessment
process for identifying state and local needs, a process for building consensus
and setting priorities in relation to specific identified needs, and a process to
support state and community-level action planning.
Pass It On Center
The Pass It On Center works at a national level to help coordinate efforts to reuse
assistive technology resources.
Regional
Resource Centers for Special Education (RRCs)
The six RRCs are funded by the federal
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to assist state education agencies
in the systemic improvement of education programs, practices, and policies that
affect children and youth with disabilities. These centers offer consultation, information
services, technical assistance, training, and product development. Each RRC maintains
a website which can be accessed through the network of RRCs single-portal website.
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Promising Practices
for Basic VR Agencies Helping Transition Age Youth
These RSA identified promising practices provide useful samples of programs and
services that promote youth with disabilities transitioning from school to employment.
Contact information is provided for each practice.
http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/rehab/promising-practices/transition-age/index.html
The Transition Coalition
The
Transition Coalition provides online information, support, and professional development
on topics focusing on the transition from school to adult life for youth.
Work Support.Com
The purpose of the Virginia Commonwealth University RRTC on Workplace Supports and
Job Retention is to study supports that help individuals with disabilities maintain
employment and advance their careers. http://www.worksupport.com/
Parent Organizations
Bridges 4 Kids
This site is sponsored by a non-profit parent organization providing a comprehensive
system of information and referral for parents and professionals working with children
from birth through transition to adult life. Bridges4Kids also supports non-profits
that share our mission with web design, data collection, telephone referral services
and technical assistance.
The PACER Center
The mission of PACER Center 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. Technical Assistance on Transition and the
Rehabilitation Act (TATRA) and other Parent Information and Training projects help
families learn how they can help youth with disabilities prepare for independent
living, access adult service systems, and work effectively with professionals.
Technical Assistance
Alliance for Parent Centers
The Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers is an innovative project that
supports a unified technical assistance system for the purpose of developing, assisting
and coordinating Parent Training and Information Projects and Community Parent Resource
Centers under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is funded
by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.
Technical Assistance on Transition and the Rehabilitation Act (TATRA)
This national project, funded through the PACER Center, provides training, information
and materials to parent center staff across the country who are helping the families
of youth with disabilities learn about transition, independent living and vocational
Resources for Youth
The 411 on Disability Disclosure
A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities The 411 is for youth and adults helping them
to learn about disability disclosure. This workbook helps young people make informed
decisions about whether to disclose their disability and understand how that decision
may impact their education, employment, and social lives. Based on the premise that
disclosure is a personal decision, the Workbook helps young people think about and
practice disclosing their disability. The workbook does not tell a young person
what to do. Rather, it helps them make informed decisions about disclosing their
disability, decisions that will affect their educational, employment, and social
lives.
Association of Youth Leadership
Forums (AYLF)
The purpose of the Association of Youth Leadership Forums (AYLF) is to improve employment
and independent living outcomes of youth with disabilities transitioning from high
school by promoting the replication of the California Model: Youth Leadership Forum
for Students with Disabilities (YLF). This site provides contact information of
state contacts that hold summer forums providing leadership training though this
model.
College Gate
College Gate is important site for students who want to go to college. This site
features sample essays and writing tips for those important entrance applications.
You can even hire a professional editor to review your essay before you turn it
in!
Do It
Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) serves to increase
the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs
and careers. It promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase
independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment. -
Entry Point
This 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.
Handling your psychiatric
Disorder at School and Work
This site is an interactive and informative web site for people with a psychiatric
condition. The site provides insight into how best to address issues and reasonable
accommodations related to work and school. This is the only site designed exclusively
to provide information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other
employment and education issues for people with psychiatric disabilities.
Health and Ready to Work National Resource
Center
Success in the classroom, within the community, and on the job requires that young
people with special health care needs stay healthy. To stay healthy, young people
need an understanding of their health and to participate in their health care decisions.
This site focuses on understanding systems, access to quality health care, and increasing
the involvement of youth. It also includes provider preparation plus tools and resources
needed to make more informed choices. http://www.hrtw.org/
Helping Young People Get a Headstart
on Careers
The website offers online resources that cater to ages 11-15, seeking information
about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Funworks was created
by the Gender, Diversity, and Technology Institute at Education Development Center.
http://www.thefunworks.org/
Hospital for Sick Children Foundation
The HSC Foundation is dedicated to improving access to services for individuals
who face challenging social and health care barriers due to disability, chronic
illness, or other circumstances that present unique needs
How
to do a Job Search
It takes a lot of planning and research to land the right job for you. Whether this
is your first job, start here and get organized.
Question
to Consider When Thinking About College
Maia, a college student, is just finishing her
freshman year at a major university. Before she chose to go there, she did a lot
of research to find out is this was the right school for her. Maia shares some of
the questions she thinks it may be important to ask. Use her, and add your own!
The Youthhood
The Youthhood is a website for high school students, teachers, and parents of high
school students. The site provides resources that assist in planning for post secondary
experiences, including polls for students to express themselves about getting ready
for adulthood. The links are divided into The High School, The Job Center, The Community
Center, The Hangout, The Government Center, The Health Clinic, and The Apartment
How to
Get the most out of your IEP
Tyler Feist, a ninth grader in North Dakota, tells
his story about getting his IEP followed.
National Youth Leadership Network
The National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) is dedicated to advancing the next
generation of disability leaders. The NYLN promotes leadership development, education,
employment, independent living, and health and wellness among young leaders representing
the diversity of race, ethnicity and disability in the United States. NYLN fosters
the inclusion of young leaders with disabilities into all aspects of society at
national, state and local levels and communicates about issues important to youth
with disabilities and the policies and practices that affect their lives.
http://www.nyln.org
Partners in Employment
Partners in Employment is a six hour self-study course designed to help people with
developmental disabilities find meaningful jobs and plan a career. Course participants
create a resume or portfolio of their strengths, skills, and interests; learn how
to network and identify potential employers; prepare for an interview; and understand
the hiring process. There are NO registration fees. http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/employment/index.html
University of Georgias
Regents Center for Learning Disabiliites
Many high school seniors with disabilities are preparing to graduate and transition
to postsecondary institutions. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Improvement Act (IDEIA, 2004), secondary programs are required to provide each student
with disabilities a Summary of Performance (SOP) as their primary disability documentation.
Unfortunately, many times the SOP does not match the documentation requirements
at postsecondary institutions or for entrance level examinations. The student with
disabilities cannot access accommodations at a postsecondary setting or on high-stakes
examinations (e.g. SAT, ACT, GED, Compass) without the support of specific documentation
requirements. The UGA RCLD specializes in providing comprehensive psychological
evaluations and the documentation necessary to access accommodations at postsecondary
institutions.
Work Support.Com - Virginia
Commonwealth University (VCU), VCU Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on
Workplace Supports and Job Retention (RRTC)
The purpose of this RRTC is to study supports that help individuals with disabilities
maintain employment and advance their careers. The site provides links to training
events developed and designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities, rehabilitation
professionals, families, and persons working in business and industry.
Youth, Disclosure,
and the Workplace
Why, When, What, and How** Every job seeker with a disability is faced with the
same decision: "Should I or shouldn't I disclose my disability?"
This decision may be framed differently depending upon whether you have a visible
disability or a non-visible disability. This site serves as a guide through this
process. http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/ydw.htm
Youth Empowerment
Alliance: “Take Control of Your Life†- (YEA) – Maryland Developmental Disabilities
Council
This site provides access to a leadership program designed to engage youth and young
adults with disabilities, as emerging leaders, in activities that will help them
transition from school to the adult world. It contains four units on self-advocacy,
IEP process, services/resources, and employment.
Youth Information Centers
Youth Information Centers are youth-driven technical assistance centers that help
youth with disabilities exercise greater choice, self-determination and to engage
in leadership activities in their communities. This website has links to national
as well as local and regional YICs http://www.addyic.org/
Professional Organizations
Division on Career Development and Transition
The DCDT website provides links to resources related to IDEA, Vocational Education,
School-to-Work, Workforce Investment and Rehabilitation, Community Independence,
and Resources for Participatory Democracy. The site includes information related
to joining DCDT. A professional development calendar is available. Information related
to transition resources and model programs are provided.
National Alliance for Secondary
Education and Transition
NASET is a national voluntary coalition of over 40 organizations and advocacy groups,
including representation of special education, general education, career and technical
education, and parents.
Self-Determination Technical Assistance
Center Project (SDTAC)
Three related projects and resources are available through one portal.
The Self-Determination Synthesis Project (SDSP) was funded by OSEP from
1998 2002 and followed by the
Self-Advocacy Synthesis Project (SASP) from 2002-2004 to conduct a review
and synthesis of the knowledge base and best practices related to self-determination
and self-advocacy interventions in order to improve, expand, and accelerate the
use of this knowledge by the professionals who serve children and youth with disabilities
and the parents who rear, educate, and support their children with disabilities.
The SDSP project identified 6 exemplar sites, four of which are the focus of a currently
OSEP funded technical assistance project to replicate their programs in their regions
and states (SDTAC). The websites include research-to-practice lesson plans for self-determination,
detailed descriptions of model programs, curricular and literature resources, as
well as links to parent, advocacy, and research organizations.
Summary
of Performance
This Brief Policy Analysis is based on a survey of all state education agencies
(SEAs). Findings include information regarding the variation among states as they
establish policy and staffing patterns for administering the summary of performance
requirement in IDEA 2004. An SOP policy exists in 25 of the 40 responding SEAs.
Staff with dedicated time to oversee the policy implementation are employed in 23
SEAs. Half of the SEAs report that overseeing this policy is a challenge. SEAS also
show variability in who receives and when they receive the SOP. Most states also
provide general technical assistance on the implementation of the SOP primarily
for LEA staff. The survey protocol and individual state SOP websites are included
as appendices.
Communities of Practice Related to Transition Services
Disability Scoop
The Disability Scoop offers up to date information on policy and related materials
affecting people with disabilities.
Shared Work
This site is designed to support and facilitate the shared work that occurs among
individuals, organizations and agencies at the local, district, state, and national
levels.
Technical Assistance
Communities of Practice
This site gives information and links to TA Communities. These are groups of state
and local administrators, educators, and TA providers who share their expertise,
issues, and solutions to improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities
and their families.
Post Secondary Education Resources
Association on Higher Education and
Disability (AHEAD)
AHEAD is the premiere professional association committed to full
participation of persons with disabilities in postsecondary education. http://www.ahead.org/
College Scholarships,
Colleges, and Online Degrees
The College Scholarships, Colleges, and Online Degrees page offers college-bound,
graduate school-bound, and career school bound students of all ages information
easy access to information about a wide variety of subjects which include: Free
college scholarship and financial aid searches; SAT and ACT test preparation tips;
information on colleges and universities throughout the U.S.; and information relating
to online degree programs and distance education.
Gates to Adventure
is a free online transition curriculum created by the Postsecondary Education Programs
Network (PEPNet) through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Gates to
Adventure is designed for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, ages 14 through
21, but can be used with any students. The instructional goal of the training is
to enhance students' understanding of skills needed for successful transition from
secondary to postsecondary education.
George Washington University HEATH
Resource Center
The HEATH Resource Center Clearinghouse has information for students with disabilities
on educational disability support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, accessing
college or university campuses, career-technical schools, and other postsecondary
training entities. We have information on financial assistance, scholarships, and
materials that help students with disabilities transition into college, university,
career-technical schools, or other postsecondary programs.
PEPNet, the Postsecondary Education
Programs Network
PEPNet, the Postsecondary Education Programs Network, is the national collaboration
of the four Regional Postsecondary Education Centers for Individuals who are Deaf
and hard o Hearing. The Centers are supported by contracts with the U.S. Department
of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The
goal of PEPNet is to assist postsecondary institutions across the nation to attract
and effectively serve individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Preparing for College: An Online Tutorial
Produced by DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology),
college-bound youth should begin preparing for postsecondary education and beyond
while they are still in high school by selecting appropriate classes and earning
good grades. Transition from high school to college is a big step for everyone.
Students with disabilities have even more things to consider than their peers. This
publication shares a few Internet resources for college-bound teens with disabilities.
RESULTS
for KIDS: RESOURCES Transition to Postsecondary and Workforce Development:Reviews
of Programs and Practices
This library of online information responds to several challenges and opportunities
inherent in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and the
No Child Left Behind Act: (a) early intervening to prevent learning difficulties
from leading to academic failure; (b) response to intervention to determine progress
and adjust instruction; (c) the need for instruction that works for culturally and/or
linguistically diverse students; (d) the imperative to reduce referrals of children
who do not need special education; (e) the impetus to increase success for all students
in the general curriculum; (f) the contribution of non-academic services to improving
academic performance; and (g) "Raising Achievement: A New Path for No Child
Left Behind, a 2005 initiative of the U.S. Department of Education. Thus, the RKR
library centers on models, curricula, practices, policy, research, tools, and resources
that can improve outcomes for all struggling learners, as generated by general education,
special education, and related disciplines.
Transition to College
This website provides links to internet resources and answers to frequently asked
questions related to developing or expanding services for students with intellectual
disabilities in college settings. http://www.transitiontocollege.net/
The College Navigator
This website offers easy-to-use features to help students and parents learn about
colleges and universities. The site has information on nearly 7,000 postsecondary
institutions in the United States. http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
ThinkCollege.net
This website provides resources for students, families, and professionals supporting
youth with intellectual disabilities exploring postsecondary education options.
http://www.thinkcollege.net/index.php
Wisconsin's Department
of Public Instruction Resource on Postsecondary Education and Training
Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction has just put out a useful resource
on postsecondary education and training. While some of the information relates to
WI residents, there is a number of useful activities and resources in the resource.
You can access the resource, along with other helpful information, at the following
link (toward the bottom of the home page).
School to Work Resources
America's Career
Resource Network - Counselors
Help students stay on track as they choose classes, explore their talents and interests
and plan for the future. This site provides access to a variety of resources relating
to the world of work, including Guidelines from the National Career Development
Association, a Career Development Toolkit, and a Career Decision Making tool. The
American Career Resource Network sponsors the site.
Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessments
(ACLSA)
Here you will find free and easy to use tools to help young people prepare for adulthood.
The life skills assessments provide instant feedback. Customized learning plans
provide a clear outline of next steps, and the accompanying teaching resources are
available for free or at a minimal cost.
Career Planning Begins with Assessment: A Guide for Professionals
Serving Youth with Educational & Career Development Challenges
Career and Transition Assessment Workgroup
Follow this link: , register on the site, and link to this work group
under Pennsylvania. The purpose of this group is to deepen our understanding of
the assessment process and promote and share effective ongoing assessment practices
and lead to enhanced post school outcomes of transitioning youth. Assessment is
defined as a process of gathering data to plan, evaluate, or make decisions. Data
can be derived from a number of sources over a period of time.
NCWD/Youth has revised this guide for multiple audiences as they assist youth in
making decisions and choices based on appropriate assessments that focus on the
talents, knowledge, skills, interests, values, and aptitudes of each individual.
Youth service practitioners will find information on selecting career-related assessments,
determining when to refer youth for additional assessment, and on other issues such
as accommodations, legal issues, and ethical considerations. Administrators and
policymakers will find information on developing practical and effective policies,
collaboration among programs, and interagency assessment systems.
Disability Resources on
the Internet
Click on Plushundreds of other resources
and scroll to Transition. This site offers numerous transition-related resources
and resources tailored to youths.
DCDT Fact Sheet:
Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment
The Council for Exceptional Childrens Division on Career Development and Transition
developed this document. It provides a definition of age-appropriate transition
assessment, descriptions of various formal and informal transition assessment measures,
and guidance to plan and conduct transition assessment.
Employer Assistance Referral Network
The Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN) is a free service that connects
employers looking for quality employees with skilled job candidates. Discover what
employers across the nation have learned: hiring people with disabilities is a great
business strategy!
High School/High Tech Program Guide - National Collaborative
on Workforce and Disability for Youth, (NCWD/Youth)
This guide includes information on lessons learned as High School/High Tech (HS/HT)
has evolved from a locally-administered to a state-administered national program
model based upon the Guideposts for Success. It includes information and materials
used by HS/HT programs throughout the United States.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
JAN is a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people
with disabilities. It provides individualized solutions for worksite accommodations,
technical assistance regarding the ADA, and other disability-related legislation.
Making Tracks
to Transition Program Resources
This page lists resources from the Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital. The page offers
supports for transition-age youth with disabilities and their families. Its three-stage
program creates a medical home for youth, creating relevant goals and working with
schools and community agencies to meet objectives.
MT Rural Institute
The MT Rural Institute has an excellent Work Experience Manual. The Manual includes
a variety of resources and guidelines for school and community-based work experience
programs. You may also want to check out their other resources at
http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu.
National Dissemination Center for Children
with Disabilities (NICHY)
NICHCY stands for the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.
We serve the nation as a central source of information on: disabilities in infants,
toddlers, children, and youth; IDEA, which is the law authorizing special education;
No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities), and research-based
information on effective educational practices.
The National Resume Database
This website has been developed with the goal of bringing together top talent with
disabilities and Americas top employers in the private and public sector. This service
is provided free of charge to job seekers with disabilities and open to applicants
who have earned or are expected to earn a two or four year degree within the next
six months or have completed equivalent technical training.
O*NET Resource Center
The O*NETTM Resource Center, the nation's primary source of occupational
information. Here you will find news and information about the O*NET program. This
site is your source for O*NET products, including O*NET data, career exploration
tools, and reports.
Community Resource Mapping - The National Center on Secondary Education
and Transition (NCSET)
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on understanding, planning, and engaging
in coordinating community resources that support the transition of youth with disabilities
to adult life. Designed for use at the federal, state, and local levels, it provides
tools and resources for initiating a resource mapping process.
RESULTS
for KIDS: RESOURCES Transition to Postsecondary and Workforce Development:Reviews
of Programs and Practices
This library of online information responds to several challenges and opportunities
inherent in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004) and the
No Child Left Behind Act: (a) early intervening to prevent learning difficulties
from leading to academic failure; (b) response to intervention to determine progress
and adjust instruction; (c) the need for instruction that works for culturally and/or
linguistically diverse students; (d) the imperative to reduce referrals of children
who do not need special education; (e) the impetus to increase success for all students
in the general curriculum; (f) the contribution of non-academic services to improving
academic performance; and (g) "Raising Achievement: A New Path for No Child
Left Behind, a 2005 initiative of the U.S. Department of Education. Thus, the RKR
library centers on models, curricula, practices, policy, research, tools, and resources
that can improve outcomes for all struggling learners, as generated by general education,
special education, and related disciplines.
The Self-Determination Technical
Assistance Centers Project (SDTAC)
This site provides resources and information for promoting self-determination practices
for students with disabilities. Information for this site was gathered from four
program sites identified as providing “exemplary practices†for promoting self-determination
for students ages 11 to 21 with mild, moderate, and severe disabilities.
Social
Security Online The Redbook
This site is a link to a summary guide to employment support for individuals with
disabilities under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) programs.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/eng/main.htm
Special
Education in Plain Language
This is user-friendly interactive handbook on special education laws, policies,
and practices (Wisconsin specific but much of it applies nation wide).
Summary of a GAO
Conference
The summary report Helping California Youths with Disabilities Transition to Work
or Postsecondary Education is available. This report, based on panels of students
and young adults with disabilities, provides an excellent overview of the various
concerns they are experiencing in accessing adult services, including Vocational
Rehabilitation and various Social Security Programs. The Summary Report also provides
feedback on how to improve high school programs in terms of preparing youth for
post-school employment.
Teaching Self-Determination
in Alaskan Schools: A Toolkit for Teachers
The kit has been developed for teachers, parents, students and other professionals
who are interested in promoting self-determination within home, school and community
settings. If students with disabilities are to be successful in maximizing opportunities
for self-determination in adulthood, they need to be equipped with the knowledge,
beliefs, and skills that lead to self-determination in their educational programs.
http://www.alaskachd.org/toolkit/
Tools
for Promoting Educational Success and Reducing Delinquency
The National Association of State Directors of Special Education and the National
Disability Rights Network have undertaken a project to address the problem of the
disproportionate number of children with disabilities in contact with the juvenile
justice (JJ) system, including those with special education (SE) needs. The so-called
JJ/SE Shared Agenda project has produced this compendium of best practices for promoting
the educational stability of youth with disabilities and at-risk youth. Designed
for teachers and educational administrators, Tools for Success includes research-based
effective practices for meeting the needs of children and youth, including early
identification and intervention.
Transition Assessment and Planning Guide for students with significant disabilities
This tool assists youth and their families, schools, and support staff to conceptualize
and plan for a young persons transition from school to adult life by taking a strengths-based,
student-centered approach. In using the guide, teams can identify post-secondary
goals, relevant skills and experiences that will lead to the achievement of those
goals, the students present levels of performance within environments that they
find meaningful, and accommodations and supports that are currently successful for
the student.
Transition to Adult Living: An Information and Resource Guide
The guide helps students and their families, local education agencies, teachers,
communities, and state agencies facilitate the movement from school to post-school
activities. It supports compliance with federal and state law by showcasing research
on best practices in secondary transition. The goal to improve post-school outcomes
for students with disabilities is best reached through coordination between secondary
education and post-school endeavors.
Tunnels and Cliffs: A Guide for Workforce Development Practitioners
and Policymakers serving Youth with Mental Health Needs - National Collaborative
on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth)
This guide was developed for youth service practitioners and policymakers to help
improve employment services and systems for youth with mental health needs. It provides
practical information and resources for youth service practitioners. In addition,
it provides policymakers, from the program to the state level, with information
to address system and policy obstacles in order to improve service delivery systems
for youth with mental health needs
Your Employment Selections
(YES!)
is a motion-video, internet-based job preference program for youth and adults with
disabilities. This program allows youth and adult participants with limited or no
reading skills to watch videos of jobs, listen as a narrator describes key tasks
in each job, and select preferred ones. The program shows motion video for 120 different
jobs. the program is produced by the Technology, Research, and Innovation in Special
Education (TRISPED) Project at Utah State University.
The Washington Initiative
The Washington Initiative for Supported Employment is a private, non-profit organization
dedicated to expanding employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities
