PLANNING THE Transition to Employment

Authors

Wendy S. Parent-Johnson, Laura A. Owens, Richard Parent-Johnson

About the Authors

Wendy Parent-Johnson, Ph.D., CRC, CESP

• Executive Director, Sonoran UCEDD, University of Arizona
• Focus: Supported and customized employment, transition from school to work, and Employment First policy

Laura A. Owens, Ph.D., CESP

• Executive Director, TransCen, Inc., and Coordinator, Graduate Transition Certificate program, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Richard Parent-Johnson, Ph.D.

• Retired senior research associate, Center for Disabilities, Sanford School of Medicine

Contents

1. Getting Started

   1. Transition to Employment
   2. Importance of Work
   3. What Do the Statistics Say?
   4. Changing the Landscape of Disability and Employment
   5. Upcoming Chapters

2. Strategies to Facilitate Effective Transitions

   1. Teacher Vignette
   2. The Crucial Importance of Collaboration
   3. Grow Your Own Collective Impact Team
   4. Collective Impact: A Practical Application
   5. Integrating Best Practices

3. Planning for Employment: Person-Centered Planning and Adult Agency Involvement

   1. Teacher/Transition Coordinator Vignette
   2. Planning for Employment
   3. Why Is Person-Centered Planning Important?

4. Developing Skills, Identifying Passions, and Exploring Careers

   1. Teacher/Transition Coordinator Vignette
   2. Developing High School Services
   3. Utilizing Online Career Exploration Tools
   4. Establishing Employment or Postsecondary Education Areas of Interest

5. Developing Employer Relationships to Create Job Opportunities

   1. Teacher/Transition Coordinator Vignette
   2. Job Exploration Counseling
   3. Networking and Employment Proposals
   4. Work-Based Learning and Internships

Chapter 1: Getting Started

Transition to Employment

• Importance of Work: Preparation for future citizenship encompasses skills for both college and employment. Students with disabilities benefit from career preparation to enhance their employment outcomes.
• What Do the Statistics Say? Employment rates are substantially lower for people with disabilities compared to their peers. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities was notably higher in 2018.

Changing the Landscape of Disability and Employment

• Employment First initiatives promote integrated employment as a primary goal for individuals with disabilities.

Chapter 2: Strategies to Facilitate Effective Transitions

The Crucial Importance of Collaboration

• Coordinating services for youth transitioning to adulthood is essential, requiring collaboration among educators, employers, and support services to facilitate successful employment outcomes.

Grow Your Own Collective Impact Team

• Forming interdisciplinary teams is vital for a comprehensive approach to transition planning and addressing the multifaceted needs of students.

Key Best Practices

1. Focus on Student-Centered Approaches: Emphasis on involving students in the decision-making processes about their careers.
2. Person-Centered Planning: Tailoring strategies to individual student needs and aspirations.
3. Using Online Tools for Career Exploration: Utilizing technology and internship programs to help students explore career options.
4. Collaborating with Adult Services Agencies: Ensuring seamless transitions by engaging relevant service providers throughout the educational process.

Conclusion

This practical guide offers a foundation for educators, transition coordinators, and employment specialists to improve employment outcomes for students with disabilities, providing tools and strategies to facilitate successful transitions to the workplace.