After the IEP: December 2012

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Sources for this Blog

Thank you to all of these wonderful sources!

http://lifeafterieps.com/free-transition-planning-tools/

http://www.going-to-college.org/overview/students.html

http://www.mynextmove.org

http://www.ncwd-youth.info/411-on-disability-disclosure

Some Helpful Videos

These are some videos that I found uplifting and educational! They come from all places on the earth, so you may find something in your area.

Disability Disclosure

A great video about jobs for people with disabilities

Special Olympics in Britain

INCIGHT-Disability College/Employment

What Else is There to Do?

There are so many opportunities for people with disabilities, you just need to start looking in your area! Things like, special olympics and support groups are everywhere, you just have to take the time to search for them.

Here is a website dedicated to independent living.

The Special Olympics are everywhere, just click and see!

This is a website dedicated to supporting people with disabilities.

Disability Disclosure

Disability Disclosure- A personal decision

Deciding whether or not to disclose your disability is something that you must take time to think about. The consequences and benefits of disclosing your disability can affect your decision in different areas of your life.

Benefits

Accommodations
Services
Legal Protection against Discrimination
Reduces Stress of Having a 'Secret'
Greater Communication with Challenges
Improves Self-image
Increases Comfort

Disadvantages

Can Lead to Exclusion
Object of Curiosity
Overlooked for Jobs
Conflicted Feelings about Self-image
Viewed as Needy
Embarrassing

If you do decide to disclose your disability practice can help you build your confidence. This can be a scary thing to tell a stranger and ask for what you need! Practicing with a parent or friend can help you feel more comfortable and confident with what you are going to say and ask for.

This website is a great way to get the 411 on disability disclosure!

Let's watch a video! This is a great clip of people who have disclosed their disabilities and their experiences.

Advocating for Yourself!

All throughout your education you have had a special education teacher, parent, and the law advocating for your rights and services. Well, now it is your turn!

It is important to note that you must disclose your disability to receive reasonable accommodations from employers or educational programs. This is a personal decision. It is now your job to provide the proper paperwork and necessary documentation to be provided with services and accommodations. Below is a comparison of the rights you have under IDEA and ADA/Section 504. Read through this carefully to be prepared for the expectations that will be placed upon you.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990/Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act of 1990 Comparison Chart

Prepared by Stephanie Dawson MSW, LSW, LCDCIII Miami University -Hamilton Campus

	IDEA	ADA/Section 504
Need Identification	Schools must identify students with disabilities and provide services.	Students must self-disclose their disability condition and request services.
Disability Definition	Students ages 3-21 years that are determined, by a multi- disciplinary team, to classify in one or more of 13 pre- determined disability categories.	A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities or has a record of such impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment.
Legal Requirements	Provide Free and Appropriate Education and any special and supportive services needed by the student.	Do not discriminate on the basis of disability and provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified students that ensure equal access to the university environment while not compromising essential components of curriculum.
Specialized Plans	Schools must engage students in developing and following an Individualized Education Plan outlining the plan for the student to progress satisfactorily.	Specialized plans are not developed. Accommodations are identified and communicated tofacultymembers. Students choose whether they utilize accommodations or not.
Parental Involvement	Schools are required to engage parents in the IEP process.	Under FERPA and HIPPA parents are prohibited from accessing student information unless authorized by the student in writing.
Eligibility Determination	Schools identify students, provide psychoeducational testing and determine needed services based on the findings of the evaluation.	Students contact the school for documentation guidelines and provide the school with necessary documentation. New evaluations are the financial responsibility of the student unless special programs are available.

Interview with Brittney

This is an interview with an employee at the BYU-Idaho Disability Services.

1. What is the program called at BYU-Idaho?

~Disabilities Services

2. How do you apply for the program?

~You need to have a doctor’s note with your diagnosis of your specific disability. The doctor should also list how you should and can be accommodated. After you have that paperwork you set up an appointment with the director. You will then go over your paperwork with him and decide on a course of action. Then, he will write you a letter for you to give to each of your teacher and tutors.

3. What type of disabilities does the school accommodate for?

~The school accommodates for all types of disabilities. The goal is to help everyone do their best.

4. What is the severity of the disabilities?

~Most people at this school are fairly high functioning. We get a lot of people who have autism, dyslexia, and memory problems. There are a few students who are more severe and with them we have to be very specific in our instructions and wording to them.

5. What do the students have to do?

~The students have to bring the letter the director write for them, to their teachers so they understand the situation and accommodations that need to be made. They also have to come in once a semester to get their new letter or to have it adjusted.

6. What type of adaptive services does the school offer?

~We have voice recorders, the dragon, which types what you speak and kirswell, which scans books and reads them to you.

7. What is the school responsibility for?

~To provide nondiscrimination for students with disabilities that is free.

8. What type of accommodations does the school provide?

~We can allow for more time on tests, changing where the test is taken, and recording of materials. Students are also allowed to meet with the tutor more often.

9. Does it matter what type of major they are in?

~No, however we do try to make a reasonable schedule for them and try to help them find a major that they can succeed.

10. What is the reaction of most students?

~Most students are very uncomfortable coming to the disabilities services center because it is very public and everyone can see them. A lot of students have a parent come to the first meeting as well.

11. How many students do you service, approximately?

~Over 1,600! However, Brother Taylor does not keep track well so there is no specific number.

12. Is there anything else that you would like to tell me or that I should know?

~The program is not advertised well and the website is confusing. The students get frustrated a lot because we have a bad contact system, so things get lost.

~Also, sometimes teacher say no to the accommodations, which creates a problem because then we have to meet with them and help them understand. Which can be very time consuming frustrating.

BYU-Idaho Disability Services

The Brigham Young University-Idaho Disability Services center provides many accommodation and adaptive equipment for students who qualify.

On the website you will see that to the left they have tabs to address many concerns. Such as:

Disability Services Goals
Accommodations
Eligibility
Grievances
High School vs College
Disability Rights
Student Responsibilities
Access Campus Maps
Forms
Assistive Technology
Alternative Text
Faculty Resources
Other Resources
Academic Support Centers
Counseling Center
Asperger's Mentor Program
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger Syndrome: Guidelines for Teachers
Asperger Syndrome for Students
What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger Syndrome Help
Planning for College (with a disability)

Contact:

Richard G. Taylor, Ph.D.

McKay Library Room 158

(208) 496-9210 Voice/TDD

Fax (208) 496-5159

taylorr@byui.edu

disabilityservices@byui.edu

To see the website click here!

Education

Think college is the only choice after graduation? Wrong! There are many educational choices you can choose from. Trade schools, occupational certificate programs, adult education programs, and college degree programs. The choice is yours!

Most of these educational choices should have some sort of disabilities services center. You will have to check with the institution of your choice to see the specifics.

How to Get There

There are some things you need to consider when choosing an educational journey. Expenses, living arrangements and a major are all things that need to be planned for before you get on your way.

Planning for college is key to getting yourself ready for this new adventure! Going to College is a website that helps you navigate through each step of preparing for college.

Summer Internships/Pre-College Programs are a great way to prepare yourself for this new lifestyle! Summer is the perfect time for you to explore careers and this new college life. Both of these programs can help you decide on your interest, goals, and skills for college. You will want to have a goal in mind when you start these programs. Think about what you would like to gain from them. A lot of colleges offer pre-college programs, you can earn credits and try out college life.

Scholarships for students with disabilities are a great way to ease the financial burden from yourself and your family. College and trade schools can be very expensive, but there are tons of scholarships waiting for you! Here are a list of scholarships for students with disabilities. Another tip is to search close to home! Local and regional scholarships are often overlooked because they are not in big search engines, so take advantage of these as well! There are also Financial Aid options open to you.

Be sure that all the choices you are making are well researched and the right choice for you!

Work

Employment development is a process that begins in early schooling and continues throughout life. Adults and teens with disabilities need the opportunity to try-out and research multiple careers! The way this is done is through:

Job Shadowing
Career Research
Volunteering
Interning
Paid Employment
Community Work Experience
Job Coaching/Training

How This is Done

There are agencies that focus specifically on the transition from schooling to employment. They will teach the skills needed to succeed in a career environment. They can also help with interviewing skills and resume skills.

What They Learn

In these agencies individuals with disabilities will learn the basic skills need to flourish in a work environment.

Job Shadowing will allow these individuals to experience the work environment and the routines. Before job shadowing it is important to plan out the experience so all parties know what to expect. Try asking these questions:

Where will the student job shadow? (family and school can collaborate to identify potential host businesses)
What is the business asked to do? (negotiate with employer and follow up with an email specifying date, time, details of the experience)
What questions will the student ask? (develop a list of questions and role play with the student)
How will student record answers to the questions? (will student take notes, or audio record with prior permission? Will a support person take notes?)
What business etiquette is expected? (role play beforehand)
What will the student wear? (consider safety and “dress for success” within the specific business environment)
Will someone accompany the student? (to support communication and/or attention)
How will the student get to and from the experience?
Will the student miss classes? (follow procedures for obtaining administrative permission, communicating with teachers, and making up class work)

Career Research is important in finding employment. It is essential to know your likes and dislikes when it comes to working. Careers are meant to last a lifetime, so it is essential to find something that you find interesting and engaging. My Next Move is a wonderful website made for helping you see what career fits your interests.

Volunteering/Interning is a great way to have a 'trial run' at a possible career. When you are volunteering you choose the hours and what you will be doing, to a certain extent. This way you get to see what you may want to do with your career, without the permanency of choosing a job. It is also a great way to help the community or someone in need!

Job Coaching/Training is something that an agency would provide. They can teach all the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. Things like, interview techniques and lunchroom etiquette. You will have to check with an agency in your area to see what specific things they offer. JobTIPS is a great online resource for helping you find, get, and keep a job!

Agencies in Your Area

Eastern Idaho- Upper Valley Industries

Utah- Work Ability

California- see CA.gov Employment Development Department

The Reason You Are Here!

If you are here you want to be educated as to what happens after the IEP is over. You may have a child with a disability soon to be graduating High School or just want to be educated in this topic. Either way, welcome! I am glad you are here and hope you find this blog helpful!