5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
What Special Needs Students Need to be Taught Before They
Graduate
Denise NorthMetro Technology Centers
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
A person with a disability wakes up and goes to bed EVERY day with the knowledge that they are different, and they often believe that they are some how less than their peers.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Learning About Themselves They also all have strengths that
they often have not tapped or are even aware of.
To show them that they have much in common with their peers and that they have strengths is the job of parents, counselors and teachers.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
The Laws that Affect Persons with Disabilities
The three laws are: Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA),
Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAA),
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA)Known as the special ed law, it outlines how children from birth through graduation will
be educated and what services will be provided to the student.
The school has the responsibility to find and fund whatever is determined to be needed
to educate the student to his/her fullest potential.
Enforcement of this law is with the state departments of education and the federal
office of education
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
This law covers all persons with disabilities but is not as protective as
IDEAIt is the individual’s responsibility to self
declare their disability and provide documentation about the disability
The Office of Civil Rights oversees the enforcement of this law
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This law was written before ADA but was not as broad reaching. It also covers all
persons with disabilities.Like ADA it is the individuals
responsibility to declare his/her disability and provide documentation
The Office of Civil Rights also oversees the enforcement of this law.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Primary Difference between IDEA and
ADA/504IDEA is an “entitlement” law in that
persons receiving services under this law get more than their peers.
ADA/504 are “access” laws that seek to level the playing field and are considered
civil rights laws.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Career Planning for the Student with
DisabilitiesThe same process applies to these students
as their peers. They need to explore different occupations in elementary school
and deepen their exploration in middle school.
The process may need to be modified for these students to include more direct
instruction and to insert career planning into academics as much as possible.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Career Planning in Elementary School
Professional day where parents come to class and talk about their job. It is best to provide an outline of topics to cover
for the parent.Interviews by students of parents and grandparents regarding occupations.
Computer research on occupations. This can be done in the upper grades and
turned into a writing assignment.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Career Planning for Middle School
Computer research to compare and contrast occupations.
Group presentations covering occupations or companies.
On parent night, have the students tell parents what classes they plan to take in high school to work toward their chosen
occupation.Have students research persons with
disabilities that have become famous or important.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Plans of StudyAfter the student has chosen an occupation to
pursue they will need to develop a plan of study to outline how to achieve this goal.
Plans of study are guidelines and are not written in stone or written one time and forgotten.
The document should be revisited at least annually to see if the student still wants to work toward this
occupation and to monitor progress.
Plans of Study and Transition Pages have many of the same components and should complement
each other.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
ACT TestIf there is any possibility of the individual
ever attending a technology center, college or university he/she need to take
the ACT testAccommodations can be made for the
test based on the IEP The best time to take the test is during
the senior year of high school
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Other Activities That Can Help
Assemblies that focus on occupations Leadership training
Peer interaction with a focus such as civic groups, student organizations,
service activitiesTime to interact with a trusted adult to provide feedback on progress toward obtaining skills needed to go to work.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Soft Skills also known as Social Skills
Industry has said that lack of soft skills such as time management, conflict
resolution, customer service and getting along with co-workers are the leading
reasons for firing employees.These skills can be taught indirectly but may need direct instruction for students
with special needs.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
The Facts about Postsecondary
EducationCollege or a technology center are
options after graduation, even with a disability.
NO IEP in Postsecondary education.Accommodations can be made, but no
modifications. Major Difference, no one will ask if
help is needed; the student must ask for it.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Career Tech vs. College
This is no longer an either/or choiceStudents at technology centers can earn
college credit while in high school.College credit earned at a technology center
can transfer to most colleges in OK at a greatly reduced cost.
Not every occupation requires a college degree, but most require some training
beyond high school.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Differences Between Secondary and Postsecondary
EducationSecondary
High school staff direct all activities
Assistance is automaticRarely have homework
Parents directly involvedTransportation provided
Postsecondary Student must manage
time and schedule Student must seek
assistance Homework is
expected Parents are involved
only if student requests
Transportation is student’s responsibility
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
CareerTech vs. College
If the student’s career goal requires a college degree then he/she must go to
college but they may be able to get some of the training at a technology center while in
high school.All Oklahoma technology centers have
alliance agreements with Oklahoma colleges and in some career majors, college credit can be earned at a technology center
while in high school at a greatly reduced cost.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
The Facts about Postsecondary
EducationAdult students (anyone out of high
school) need to know that not many people care if they have a disability, just
whether they can do the job. The student is responsible for providing
documentation of disability.Curriculum will not be modified, only how
the information is given to or received from the student.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Going to WorkStudents need to be made aware that they will need to interact with adults in the workplace in effective ways. Role
play and advise from “experts” are good ways to teach this concept.
They also need to become informed on proper work attire. Video fashion shows, and “expert” guest are good to introduce
this concept.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Information About Obtaining a Job
The student will need to be told to take a clean, unwrinkled, unfolded and correctly
written resume’ to apply for a job.They should have an additional copy of their resume’ and references when they
go to apply for jobs to refer to when filling out the application.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Hints for the InterviewThe students should make a test run to
locate where the interview will take place. This could even include finding the room. They should plan to arrive 5 to10 minutes
early.Anyone could be on the interview team
even the receptionist.Handshakes and eye contact are very important and sometimes need to be
taught.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
How to Keep a JobBe on time to work! Student say they
will be on time for work, but the truth is they usually revert to the same habits
that they have in high school. This is the #1 reason that people get fired!
Company culture is very important and this concept needs to be taught to
students.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
How to Keep a JobStudents need to know that their word is
important and if they say they will do something they should do it.
They will have to work with people that they do not like, this is part of the world
of work.At the workplace people are expected to be productive, no standing around doing
nothing.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Without knowledge of the laws that effect them, persons with
disabilities are at the mercy of those who do.
5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010
Questions and/or Discussion
Denise NorthMetro Technology Centers