The transition from school to adulthood is a pivotal time in the lives of all students. For a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), change of any kind can be challenging, and a transition as momentous as this can seem especially daunting. Thoughtful planning, sound information, and open communication will help parents support young adults…

This article describes the approach implemented by one university to mitigate typical barriers encountered by college students with disabilities when attempting to find post-graduation employment. The unique vocational program offered is reinforced by the successful employment outcomes and case studies discussed in this review. Over a span of five…

For those living with a chronic disability and, due to it, have been out of work for some time, but are now ready to take that giant leap into the job market, it will come as no surprise that they face some formidable obstacles--two of the largest being their disability and the economy. For those individuals with disabilities who want to land a…

In rural areas, transition planning for young adults with disabilities presents considerable challenges, including linkage to employment upon completion of special education services. Two assessment programs, described in this article, work in concert to assist transition teachers and youth with disabilities in rural areas and include: (a)…

Provides background on the job club process and how it can be used for integrated training of special needs and regular education students in need of job search assistance. Includes field test project information. (JOW)

Students with special needs and disabilities are often unprepared to handle the transition from school to work and/or school to post secondary training. They often lack direction and knowledge of the world of work or of the barriers they may face as they move beyond high school. School counselors can be instrumental in assisting with this…

Compared the Job Club method with an alternative method, using clients who had job-finding problems, such as physical, emotional, intellectual, and social handicaps, or long-term unemployment. Results suggest that virtually all handicapped or "hard-core" unemployed persons can obtain and retain a job under an intensive Job Club program.…

Summarizes a study of the economic, social, and health characteristics of unemployed people with disabilities in Slovenia. Responses by 246 unemployed people with disabilities to a questionnaire provided the data. Results are analyzed in terms of employment waiting period, educational level, economic situation, psycho-social and family situation,…

Baltimore's Job Squad is a placement alternative that motivates the handicapped person to improve independent job-seeking skills through the teamwork of counselors, peers, and community resources. Job Squad's background, support system, organization, positive results, and future implications as a valuable placement technique are discussed. (Author)

Despite the efforts of many transition teachers and developers of model programs, some students' vision of their careers seems to lack clarity, direction, or realism. Some young adults with disabilities have difficulty identifying preferred employment that can lead to achievable careers, or they may identify occupations for which they lack the…

This article describes how coteaching in a general education life skills class became an effective way to provide inclusive instruction to benefit all of the students, both with and without disabilities. The collaborative team unified separate special education and general education transition efforts within a general education transition class.…

Disabled students preparing for the transition from high school to working life will find current, practical information in this reference circular, which was prepared to facilitate the transition to higher education or directly to a work situation. The information is arranged according to three basic transition models: (1) without special…

The Special Education Parents Alliance created an employment project seeking jobs in the business community for special education graduates and other persons with disabilities. The project serves learning disabled, educable mentally handicapped, trainable mentally handicapped, and physically disabled persons in DuPage County and portions of west…

This final report describes Careers On-Line, a model demonstration project that is designed, using the Internet, to provide students with disabilities, career service providers, and employers with up-to-date information on career development, employment, and disabilities. Careers On-Line developed databases on job and internship postings, adaptive…

The Santa Fe Community College Work Exploration Center (Florida) provides work evaluation and placement services to persons who are unable to obtain or maintain suitable employment due to handicapping conditions, undefined or poorly defined vocational training, limited employment skills, and limited knowledge of skills levels. To help maintain…