Valerie Vivona, Transition Specialist Stephen Rosenbaum, Esq., Disability Rights California Thursday, October 16, 2008

This presentation was developed by Valerie Vivona and Stephen Rosenbaum. The AT Network is a project of the California Department of Rehabilitation, coordinated by the Alliance for Technology Access. © 2007 – AT Network - All rights reserved AT Network materials may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided their source is identified. AT Transition Plan: © 2006 – Valerie Vivona

The AT Network is dedicated to expanding the accessibility of tools, resources and technology that will help increase independence, improve personal productivity and enhance the quality of life for all Californians.

Training Goals 1. You will learn effective strategies for helping students in transition with their technology needs; 2. You will learn how to develop a Transition Plan to help identify, acquire and support a student’s ongoing use of assistive technology and community living goals. 3. You will review available funding and community resources; and 4. You will learn how to advocate for a student’s rights in the IEP and ITP process.

Identifying Areas of Need ► What are the most important areas to consider when assisting a student with AT needs? ●Assess and identify areas of need. 1.Mobility 2.Communication 3.Medical 4.Home Modifications 5.Telecommunications 6.Computer Technology

Status, Planning & Resources ► Status ●What assistive technology is currently being used by the student? ► Planning ●Identify and prioritize the most important needs. ► Resources ●Gather information on assessments, funding, training, and the student’s practical use of the assistive technology.

Sources of Law for Special Education Rights ► IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act) (amended 2004) ► California Education Code ► U.S. Department of Education Regulations (amended 2006) ► California Department of Education Regulations

Transition Services and Special Education in High School ► Every Special Education Student gets a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) ► Special Education must be provided in the Least Restrictive Environment ► Services must conform with an Individual Education Program (IEP) ► In California, transition services are spelled out in an Individual Transition Plan (ITP)

Transition Services and Special Education in High School ► Three main components: 1.Transitioning from school to post-secondary activities; 2.Planning based upon student’s needs and preferences; and 3.Identifying post-secondary educational, community, employment, and independent living objectives.

Individual Transition Plan Statement of Needed Transition Services ► Age 16 (or younger) ●Courses of study, interagency responsibilities ► Age 16 to 18 ●Educational programs similar to non-disabled peers ► Age 18 to 21 ●Maximize independence, post-secondary education, community-based programs

Advocating for Your Rights… ► Parents: ●Initiate a transition-planning meeting IN WRITING!! ●Take an active role in the planning process ●Become familiar with community resources. ► Students: ●Be clear about your desires for the future. ●Decide on best way to communicate your desires and needs at the meeting. ●Choose person(s) to support you at the meeting.

Building A Transition Team ► Identify who will support the transition? ● Peers● Independent Living Center ●Advocates● Disabled Students Programs ●Parents● Employer ●Teacher● Other resources ●Counselors

Funding Sources & Options ► Systems Funding Options ●Regional Centers ●DOR (California Department of Rehabilitation) ●Medi-Cal ●Medicare ●Private Health Insurance ●Employers

Regional Centers ► There are 21 Regional Centers throughout California. ► Each serves a specified geographical area and provides assistance and service coordination to support social, personal, physical, and vocational opportunities. ► Assistive technology is part of the services and supports offered by Regional Centers.

Department of Rehabilitation ► D.O.R. provides for vocational and independent living services to people with disabilities if: ●You have a physical or mental disability which is a substantial impediment to employment; and ●You require services to prepare, secure, retain or regain employment. ► D.O.R. usually begins working with students 2 years prior to their scheduled graduation.

Individualized Plan for Employment ► Equipment and services must be described in a written document, called an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). If you need technology, your IPE must include the following: ●The specific rehabilitation technology services you need; ●How the technology will be provided to you in the most integrated setting; and ●Who will provide the technology and any services related to its acquisition and use.

Medi-Cal ► Puts assistive technology in a number of categories. For example it may be called medical supplies, durable medical equipment, or a prosthetic device. ► Medi-Cal recipients can now get augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and services. ► Will only pay for the least expensive item that meets your medical needs.

Private Insurance ► The terms of the policy will determine whether a private health benefit plan is required to buy assistive technology for its beneficiaries. ► Most plans do not list specific devices or equipment as plan benefits, but instead give a definition with some examples.

Funding Options ► Personalized & Creative Funding Options ●Loans (banks) ●AT Vendors –Lease-to-buy options –30-day trials ●Community organizations ●Philanthropic organizations

Timeline & Back-up Plans ► Timeline ●Be realistic and prepared to advocate ●Assessment, planning and funding can typically take a long time. ► What happens in the interim? ●Develop a back up strategy to best meet the needs while moving through the process. ► Celebrate Each Successful Small Step!!!

Professional Resources ► Who is in your network? ●AT Network● Community Colleges ●Independent Living Centers● Community Mental Health Services ●Alliance for Technology Access● Local school districts ●Disability Rights California● Local businesses ●Community Technology Centers● Others

AT Transition Plan

► Develop an AT Transition Plan for your AT goals in each area of need: 1.Identify a Short term goal and 3 action steps –to move forward with the goal. 2.Identify a Long term goal and 3 action steps –to move forward with the goal. 3.What are any needed resources, supports; and 4.Set a Timeline.

Goals Planning Strategy ► Communication/AAC Device ●Short-term Goals: –Identify your needs (i.e. assessment) –Research types of Devices –Research funding sources: Medi-Cal, Private Insurance and/or DOR –Invite stakeholders to Individualized Transition Plan meeting at High School

Goals Planning Strategy ► Communication/AAC Device ●Short-term Resources: –Parents –Teacher –Rehabilitation Specialists –DOR –Peers –AT Network

Goals Planning Strategy ► Communication/AAC Device ●Short-term Timeline: –Junior Year

Goals Planning Strategy ► Communication/AAC Device ●Long-term Goals: –Obtain funding for Device –Purchase Device –Programming and Training –Effective use of Device in desired setting(s)

Goals Planning Strategy ► Communication Device ●Long-term Timeline: –Senior Year and Beyond!

Goals Planning Strategy ► Interim Plan ●Train others in student’s current modes of communication (Letter board, gestures)? ●Temporary AAC Device (loaner, borrow) ● Try out-School, work, home, social

Brain Storming Got a Scenario? Let’s Make Plan …

Transition Guide to Adult Living: Information and Resource Guide ► Legal Rights ► Goals Planning ► Self Assessment ► Inter-agency agreements ► Career Preparation ► Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

If you have a complaint… ► If the school or another agency doesn’t provide the transition services in the IEP/ITP or doesn’t follow IEP/ITP procedures, file a COMPLIANCE COMPLAINT by writing: ●Procedural Safeguards Referral Service Special Education Division California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Suite 2401 Sacramento, CA 95814

Questions about your rights… ► Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) ●(800) voice/TTY ● ► Disability Rights California (Formerly Protection and Advocacy, Inc.) ●(800) ●TTY (800) ●

Resources ► Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI) WATI seeks to improve the outcomes and results for children and youth with disabilities through the use of assistive technology. ● ●

Resources ► Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) DO-IT serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. ●

Resources ► National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) assists state and local workforce development systems to better serve youth with disabilities. ●

Resources ► National Center on Secondary Education & Transition (NCSET) NCSET coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures. ●

Resources ► AT Network TOLL FREE TTY ► Alliance for Technology Access VOICE TTY