According to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of August 2010, the percentage of individuals with disabilities participating in the labor force was 22.0 percent compared to 70.2 percent for individuals with no disability.Bureau of Labor Statistics For more information vents vents Future Employment Prospects

2 Top 5 Helpful High School Services Reported by Youth on the Ohio Longitudinal Transition Study 1.Career-Technical Education 2.Paid Job While in High School 3.Involvement in IEP Meetings 4.Job Shadowing 5.School-based Work Programs

Paid Employment/ Work Experience 1.Students who had a year round paid job for one full year during high school were 5 times more likely to be engaged in post- school employment and education (Bullis et al., 1995) 2. Students who had worked for pay during high school were more likely to be living independently (Bullis et al., 1995) 3.Students with two or more jobs during their last two years of high school were more likely to be engaged in post-school employment (Doren & Benz, 1998) The predictor category listed has been extracted from high quality correlational research including students with disabilities. See for more information on the process by which these predictors were identified. In-School Predictors by Post-School Outcome Area

Paid Employment/ Work Experience 4. Students who had a job at the time of high school exit were 5.1 times more likely to be engaged in post-school employment (Rabren et al., 2002) 5. Students with 2 or more paid jobs during high school were more likely to graduate from high school (Benz et al., 2000) Benz, M. R., Lindstrom, L., & Yovanoff, P. (2000). Improving graduation and employment outcomes of students with disabilities: Predictive factors and student perspectives. Exceptional Children, 66, Bullis, M., Davis, C., Bull, B., & Johnson, B. (1995). Transition achievement among young adults with deafness: What variables relate to success? Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 39, Doren, B., & Benz, M. R. (1998). Employment inequality revisited: Predictors of better employment outcomes for young women with disabilities in transition. The Journal of Special Education, 31, Rabren, K., Dunn, C., & Chambers, D. (2002). Predictors of post-high school employment among young adults with disabilities. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 25,