The purpose of this study was to develop an in-depth understanding of how Eastern Arkansas youth with disabilities and their parents describe their expectations for the future, after participating in the Arkansas PROMISE program. The study sought an understanding of how participants viewed themselves and their expectations for the future, for…

Developing skills for functional independence is important to gain employment, engage in postsecondary education, and live independently. Unfortunately, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience difficulties with functional independence skills needed to complete common, everyday tasks. This study examined the effects of work…

Postsecondary education (PSE) programs serving individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) aim to improve life outcomes by increasing skills in three key areas: academics, independent living, and employment. To ensure that PSE programs are successful, ongoing evaluations are necessary. It is particularly important to gather parental…

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment than any other disability category. Employment may play an important role in the development of self-worth for people with ASD. Some people with ASD require workplace accommodations. Technology-based accommodations may be one solution for helping…

Daily living skills deficits are strongly associated with poor adult outcomes for individuals with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, and yet, there are no group interventions targeting daily living skills. Seven adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their parents participated in a feasibility pilot of a 12-week manualized group…

Understanding the relationship between services and outcomes is important for students with disabilities. While research exists regarding relationships between services and supports provided in school and adult life outcomes for students with disabilities, less attention is paid to the supports and services provided after students exit high…

This issue brief is one of three that focus on programs providing services to youth transitioning out of foster care in three common service domains: education, employment, and financial literacy and asset building. This brief highlights why financial literacy and asset building services are important to youth currently or formerly in foster care,…

Youth transitioning out of foster care and into adulthood need multiple supports to navigate the challenges they face. Over the past three decades, federal child welfare policy has significantly increased the availability of those supports. In 1999, the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program was created, increasing the amount of funds potentially…

Background: A conversation currently exists regarding secondary curriculum (e.g. academics, functional) for students with moderate/severe intellectual disability (ID) without a large research base connecting curriculum to outcomes. Method: This study represented a secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) data to…

Federal and state regulations were established to address the transition service needs of students with disabilities, yet many young adults with disabilities still exit high school unprepared for adult life and do not find employment. To address this concern, this qualitative case study explored the perceptions of six participants actively…

High school dropouts face an uphill battle in a labor market that increasingly rewards skills and postsecondary credentials: they are more likely than their peers to need public assistance, be arrested or incarcerated, and less likely to marry. This report presents results from a rigorous evaluation of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program,…

The aim of this study is to report employment and independent living outcomes of 125 graduates from the Taft College Transition to Independent Living (TIL) program. The TIL program has served students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, since 1995. The TIL program follows graduates from the time of…

A study examined the outcomes for 140 graduates of the Threshold Program at Lesley University, Massachusetts, a non-degree post-secondary program which aims to help young adults with severe learning disabilities and low-average IQ develop independent living skills. Sixty-nine percent of graduates are living independently and 82 percent are…

This hearing was held to give individuals, organizations, and government officials an opportunity to express their concerns about the state of rehabilitation services in the United States and to recommend changes that would make service delivery more effective. The hearing was held in consideration of the reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act…

This report provides updated information on how transition policies for New York students with disabilities are being implemented in Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers. It summarizes the findings about former students' post-school employment, postsecondary education, and community living status, and identifies the program…