This article integrates literature from counseling, rehabilitation, multicultural education, and special education to explain the importance of life-span considerations, including the preschool and early school years, and the life-space factors of family, culture, and community. Principles for transition interventions which promote empowerment are…

Examines the transition of youth with disabilities from high school to employment in 15 small rural Wisconsin school districts. Focuses on educational practices and employment outcomes. Program strengths included exposing students to a formal career curriculum, developing a student career plan, and incorporating vocational and career education…

This article identifies similarities in structures and practices between early intervention with infants and young children with disabilities and secondary/transition programs for adolescents and young adults with developmental delays or disabilities. These include horizontally administered, community-referenced, and consumer-driven services;…

This study evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of the Georgia Cooperative School Programme which provides work experiences for high school students with mental retardation or other disabilities through coordination with rehabilitation services. Evaluation indicated the program appears to prevent some dropouts but improved interagency…

Describes the policy context and current status of the State Systems Change Initiative on Transition for Youth with Disabilities. This federal initiative has helped states to improve school-to-work transition services under one-time five-year grants undertaken as cooperative efforts between state education and vocational rehabilitation (or other)…

Transitioning from high school to the adult world is a complicated process for adolescents with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires transition services for students with disabilities. This article describes those services and how to customize these services to support the needs of…

In this case study, a co-operative inquiry process was used to facilitate the expansion of inclusive early childhood education and care practices in a rural community in the Midwest. A university and a community researcher first engaged in interviews and site visits, during which they learned how a three-member inclusion team of early care and…

This issue of "Impact" focuses on employment and women with disabilities. An editorial introduction notes that work is important to women with disabilities for numerous reasons. Among them are feeling successful and important, earning money, being independent, having a reason to get up in the morning, making a meaningful difference in the lives of…

Adolescence is a time for dreaming for youth to imagine and set a course for the future. High school students naturally spend time imagining the future if and where to continue their education, to find a job or pursue a career, to move away from home, or to start a family. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) includes a process…

As a statewide initiative, New Jersey has been hosting teen leadership conferences for students with disabilities. The focus of the conferences is to address skills necessary to be successful in school and for transition to life after high school. The conferences are held throughout New Jersey at universities and colleges. Students with…

This practicum addressed the anxiety and stress experienced by parents when their 3-year-old child with a disability or risk of developmental delay is transitioning from early intervention services to preschool. Questionnaires were administered to 20 parents to identify the causes of stress and anxiety during transitions and to determine their…

This final report describes activities and achievements of the EASE (Equal Access for Students to Education and Experience) Project, a 3-year model demonstration project on transition of students with disabilities at seven community colleges in the Arrowhead region of Minnesota. The program served 550-600 students and focused on providing support…

This report of a survey of eight states which implemented the School to Work Opportunities Act (STWOA) provides information on provisions in the state plans, the extent to which special educators participate in planning and implementation efforts, and how the needs of students with disabilities have been addressed. An overview is provided of the…

This publication is intended to help parents in Kansas communities plan for the transition of young children with special needs from the Infant-Toddler Services program to Early Childhood Special Education Services and/or other community services. Information is provided on the seven-step process: (1) planning ahead; (2) the transition meeting;…

This booklet is intended to facilitate the full participation of Minnesota parents of children with disabilities in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. The booklet begins with a brief discussion of what an IEP is and why it is needed. The guide then presents a copy of Minnesota's IEP form, with the form sections on the left hand…