Achieving the Dream – Transition to Post – Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities What is your dream for your child?

Agenda: Transition Planning Overview Helping Your Teen Build a Dream DVD: Real Life Stories Five Steps of Transition Planning

Student Keeping the “best interests” of the student as the focus of Student-Centred Planning: Keeping the “best interests” of the student as the focus of planning. Helping the student build their dream and share it with others. Having high expectations for the student, along with needed supports to ensure success. Student

Advance planning for entry into post-secondary education is essential Parents will need to: Communicate to others the student’s needs Become familiar with resources, supports and funding, including: 1. Accommodations and adaptive technology 2. Ensure the student applies early 3. Be actively involved

Start Planning During Junior High: Selecting courses Exploring interests, skills and dreams Volunteering, extra curricular activities, work experience Taking part in IPP team meetings Learning to describe the disability and to identify the accommodations that help

Start with the dream: …all that life can be…

A full and rich learning experience … in the company of students and friends … with people to help along the way … and the satisfaction of meeting goals and achieving dreams.

Tips for Helping Your Teen Build a Dream Your teen may need to learn how to dream

Start with the dream: ...all that life can be…

Develop & Implement Plan TRANSITION PLANNING Get Ready Form Planning Team Hold Exit Meeting Student Monitor & Update Plan Develop & Implement Plan

Help Your Teen Create a Portfolio Portfolio - a collection of documents and photographs. - the portable, self-contained record of your teen’s experiences and accomplishments.

Carly’s Career Exploration: Gradual approach Real life situations Interests and strengths Challenges and limitations

The Duty to Accommodate: ….. To the point of undue hardship ….. The Disability Service Office Examples of Accommodations: Note Takers Software voice programs to assist students with reading or writing Extended time for exams, oral exams or special locations for exams

Vulnerabilities and Safeguards: Vulnerabilities: Being misunderstood Being underestimated Being Ignored Being Taken Advantage of Safeguards: Participation in student activities Knowing their rights Learning how to self advocate

Choosing a Post-Secondary Program Your teen may be considering learning at: A technical institute An apprenticeship or industry training program A college or university

FUNDING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: “Are You A Post-Secondary Student With A Permanent Disability?” Visit: alis.alberta.ca/disabilities

Step 2: Form Transition Planning Team Student’s Role: … Expressing his/her wishes and needs Parent’s Role: … Supporting students in expressing their wishes and needs … Assisting the team to stay focused on the students strengths and abilities.

Step 3: Develop and Implement Plan A plan is put into action: Choose institution and a program Visit Disability Service Office Make an application Required assessments and required documents Funding for tuition and accommodations Support network on and off campus Living arrangements, etc.

Step 4: Monitor and Update Plan   Team reviews plan every six months. During grade11 team meets more often to review and update plan and ensure deadlines are met. An important role of the teen and parent is to ensure all short and long term goals will be met… before the teen starts post-secondary studies.

Step 5: Hold Exit Meeting Hold final transition planning meeting well before graduation to allow time to follow up on any outstanding items.

Dream Facilitator … having a group of supporters and champions to call upon can have tremendous benefits for the young adult and for the family of the young adult.

Thank you for attending! Parent Workshop Evaluation   Please take a few minutes to complete the workshop evaluation sheet. Thank you for attending!