Working with Youth in Transition Overview of Transition - From Evaluation to Inception Dr. Karen Wolffe

From Evaluation to Inception Begin with the end in sight: What are the student’s expectations for life?Begin with the end in sight: What are the student’s expectations for life? –relationships, work, living arrangements, recreation, etc. Evaluate the student in natural environments whenever possible to determine skill levels & knowledgeEvaluate the student in natural environments whenever possible to determine skill levels & knowledge

Transition Competencies Checklist How tool is administered & rationaleHow tool is administered & rationale Timeline for completion—annualTimeline for completion—annual Explanation of coding—forced choiceExplanation of coding—forced choice Time commitment—20-30 minutesTime commitment—20-30 minutes Asterisks explained for facilitatorAsterisks explained for facilitator Reminders: No “right/wrong” answers, self-evaluation tool, add to career portfolioReminders: No “right/wrong” answers, self-evaluation tool, add to career portfolio

Transition Competencies Overview Student self-evaluation toolStudent self-evaluation tool Practitioner evaluation toolPractitioner evaluation tool Parent/SO evaluation toolParent/SO evaluation tool

Practitioner & SO Tools Parallel the Student Evaluation Tool—same ten competencies are assessedParallel the Student Evaluation Tool—same ten competencies are assessed Completed hard copies can be compared using Word or Excel files in braille or printCompleted hard copies can be compared using Word or Excel files in braille or print Can form the basis for a team discussion (led by the student, if possible) concerning readiness for employmentCan form the basis for a team discussion (led by the student, if possible) concerning readiness for employment

Student Self-Evaluation Tool An understanding of work based on real life experiencesAn understanding of work based on real life experiences –Youngsters learn about work through personal experiences at home (chores), community activities (helping out at civic or organizational functions), and school (active involvement in classroom or school projects)

Student Self-Evaluation Tool Application of leisure & socialization skillsApplication of leisure & socialization skills –Addresses the need for youth to develop & engage in interpersonal relationships –Also considers young people’s needs to engage in healthy, enjoyable activities during their free time

Student Self-Evaluation Tool Application of problem solving skillsApplication of problem solving skills –Focuses on the need for youth to learn how to recognize that they have difficulties or problems & take logical steps to resolve them –Youth are also asked to indicate to whom they go for assistance, if they are unable to independently resolve a problem

Student Self-Evaluation Tool Application of self-advocacy skillsApplication of self-advocacy skills –Focuses on the importance of young adults addressing their disability-related needs with others in a proactive & positive manner –Encourages youth to assume responsibility for their own affairs (setting medical or vocational appointments, for example)

Student Self-Evaluation Tool Application of compensatory skillsApplication of compensatory skills –Addresses alternative techniques or disability- specific skills (O&M, reading & writing with braille or optical devices, using assistive technology, etc.) that young people need to master in order to live & work without unnecessary external supports

Student Self-Evaluation Tool Knowledge of career options & sources of informationKnowledge of career options & sources of information –Relates to the student’s need to learn about a broad range of jobs through resources available nationally & locally (popular career fields, specific companies in near locale that are hiring—whom to contact & where to go)

Student Self-Evaluation Tool An understanding of levels of ability and impact with regard to placementAn understanding of levels of ability and impact with regard to placement –Helps young adults analyze their need for assistance in the job seeking area and how they learn best on-the-job

Student Self-Evaluation Tool Mastery of career counseling content areasMastery of career counseling content areas –Focuses on self-awareness, career exploration, job seeking skills, job maintenance skills, and employment skills

Student Self-Evaluation Tool Evidence of participation in work experience opportunitiesEvidence of participation in work experience opportunities –Addresses the need for young adults to have as many work experiences (paid or unpaid) as possible while they are still in school

Student Self-Evaluation Tool An understanding of employer concernsAn understanding of employer concerns –Addresses the need for young adults to be familiar with employers’ greatest concerns about hiring individuals with visual disabilities & understanding how to allay their concerns

Correlation of Resources to Transition Competencies Checklist gets you to inception!

Resources Books/curricula: Skills for SuccessSkills for Success Navigating the Rapids of Life: The Transition Tote SystemNavigating the Rapids of Life: The Transition Tote System Transition Planning for Students with Visual DisabilitiesTransition Planning for Students with Visual Disabilities Preparing for Work: Career Exploration, Job Seeking Skills, & Job Keeping Skills for Students with DisabilitiesPreparing for Work: Career Exploration, Job Seeking Skills, & Job Keeping Skills for Students with Disabilities

Resources Chapters: Growth and development of youths & Career education for children and youths with VI (Foundations of Education)Growth and development of youths & Career education for children and youths with VI (Foundations of Education) Transition for Students who are Blind or have Low Vision (Handbook of Transition for Youth with Disabilities)Transition for Students who are Blind or have Low Vision (Handbook of Transition for Youth with Disabilities)

Resources Chapters: Transition planning and employment outcomes for students who have visual impairments with other disabilities (Educating students who have visual impairments with other disabilities)Transition planning and employment outcomes for students who have visual impairments with other disabilities (Educating students who have visual impairments with other disabilities)

Resources Chapters: Transition planning for the world beyond school (A Parents’ Guide to Special Education for Children with Visual Impairments)Transition planning for the world beyond school (A Parents’ Guide to Special Education for Children with Visual Impairments)

Resources Articles: The transition from school to adult roles and responsibilities (Insight)The transition from school to adult roles and responsibilities (Insight) Employment-related experiences of youths who are blind or visually impaired: How are these youths faring? (JVIB)Employment-related experiences of youths who are blind or visually impaired: How are these youths faring? (JVIB)

Resources Articles: Skills for success: Career education for young people with sight problems (Insight)Skills for success: Career education for young people with sight problems (Insight) The status of Canadian youth who are blind or visually impaired: A study of lifestyles, quality of life and employment (Elsevier International Congress Series)The status of Canadian youth who are blind or visually impaired: A study of lifestyles, quality of life and employment (Elsevier International Congress Series)

Resources Articles: The social network pilot project: A quantitative comparison of the lifestyles of blind, low vision, and sighted young adults (JVIB)The social network pilot project: A quantitative comparison of the lifestyles of blind, low vision, and sighted young adults (JVIB) Career education for students with visual impairments (Re:View)Career education for students with visual impairments (Re:View)

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