Supporting Students with Disabilities in Their Transition to

Post-Secondary EducationLeila Peterson, SchoolTalk, Inc.

Demographics

DC enrolls 10,644 students with specialized education needs. •13.3% of total enrollment•4078 students ≥ 15 years old

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Students across all disability categories should be supported in post-secondary education options.

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Source: 2012 Child Count Data

Best Practices for Supporting Students with Disabilities

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The Student, not the school has the responsibility in the post-secondary

environment

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Examples of Supports inPost-secondary Programs

• Assistance with registration/financial aid • Note-takers for classes• Large print books and handouts• Extended time for exams and assignments• Change of location for exams• Use of computer software programs or

other assistive technology• Reduction in course load

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Tips for Supporting Your Students

Ensure students have the documentation they will need after high school

Make sure appropriate accommodations are in place for ALL placement and assessment tests

Refer students to the DC Department on Disability Services/Rehabilitation Services Administration

Help students pick schools that will be supportive

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Resources• WWW.dctransition.org - Clearinghouse of information about DC resources

to support youth with disabilities.• http://ossesecondarytransition.org/ - OSSE’s website includes an overview

of age-appropriate steps for supporting transition and video and toolkit for Student-Led IEPs

• http://dcpstransition.com/ - the DCPS website for “all things transition.”• 411 on Disclosure – a work book to help young people make good

decisions about when and how to tell people about their disabilities. http://www.ncwd-youth.info/411-on-disability-disclosure

• Guidance and Career Counselors Toolkit: Advising High School Students with Disabilities on Postsecondary Options - contains answers to counselors' most frequently asked questions about postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities. http://www.heath.gwu.edu/

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Contact information

Leila Peterson, Executive Director

SchoolTalk, Inc.Leila.peterson@schooltalkdc.org

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