Purpose: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 mandates vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors play a greater role in providing transition-related services for students and youth with disabilities, such as pre-employment activities and increased collaborative efforts with state and local education agencies and American Jobs…

This article discusses the importance of the professional school counselors' participation in the development of self-determination skills students with disabilities need to transition from high school to college. An intervention is proposed to guide high school counselors' involvement. Strategies to promote college readiness through the…

The ultimate goal for school psychologists, special education practitioners, and other professionals who work with adolescents with disabilities is to help students plan and prepare to transition from school to adult life with the skills and knowledge to live happy, productive, and fulfilling lives. This article describes how school psychologists…

Students preparing to emancipate from the foster care system face multiple challenges. For many formerly fostered teens, outcomes are relatively poor. Others have shown incredible resilience in the face of adversity. School psychologists can help address obstacles to postsecondary success for students living in foster care preventively while they…

Educational and vocational rehabilitation programs both have key roles and responsibilities in improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. Both entities must be involved in creating opportunities for students to develop skills and knowledge to prepare for careers in the 21st Century. To help facilitate understanding and promote…

Youth with disabilities receiving transition from services from State/Federal VR agencies accounted for more than one quarter of closed cases within in FY 2010 (RSA, 2010). This unique population of clients, however, has received little attention in empirical studies, scholarly journals, and as a focus within training programs. By investing in…

Recently, consensus among researchers and professionals has emerged about factors that contribute to postschool success of youth with disabilities. Prominent among these factors are targeted academic preparation, family involvement, youth empowerment, and service collaboration and linkages. Work experience and paid employment have been identified…

School personnel are mandated to provide transition planning services to students with disabilities as they prepare for postsecondary activities. A variety of student skill and knowledge areas have been recommended as important during this process. Students with disabilities encounter a variety of additional transitions throughout their schooling,…

The article addresses the role of rehabilitation counselors in special education transition programs for students with disabilities. It contends that the special training of rehabilitation counselors prepares them to coordinate existing school and community resources into effective transition programs. (DB)

Successful transition planning is a lifelong process in which the student, family members, friends, and professionals come together to develop and act upon a plan that will lead to a successful adult life. For this reason, transition planning has become a part of several federal laws. The most encompassing of these laws, the Individuals with…

In spite of the fact that movement has occurred, vocational education and job placement services for individuals with disabilities have produced few significant results in the past 10 years. Since school represents an institution where children gather on a consistent and long-term basis, the facilities are available and usually comprehensive, and…

The transition from high school to college can be challenging and stressful for any student; it can prove to be an overwhelming experience for disabled students. Among major problems disabled students experience are: the perception that disabled persons are passive and need assistance in all areas; a lack of awareness of their rights and…

A survey of 54 educators and 62 rehabilitation counselors found the role that rehabilitation counselors serve is inadequate and is exacerbated by the fact that many counselors are not being invited to transition planning meetings by school personnel, parents, or teachers. Recommendations for promoting better collaboration are suggested. (Contains…

This manual contains basic information to guide vocational counselors for special populations as they work with students enrolled in vocational programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels. It begins with a brief overview of the role of the vocational counselor for special populations. The survey, the responses to which formed the basis of…