As a parent of a child with disabilities, it is essential to understand the resources and services available to you and your child when it comes to the transition process. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (IDEA) defines the transition planning process as, "a coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child's movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation." The transition process continues to provide the framework, guidance, and civil rights for all children with disabilities looking to further their academic and functional lives.
Different expectations come with each and every different family. Expectations on the part of families will most likely affect the outcome of your child's postsecondary education. Researchers continue to demonstrate how much influence the family actually has in terms of transition planning and outcomes (deFur, Todd-Allen, & Getzel, 2001). From independent living and mobility skills to students' cultural and economic needs in the community, each child has a dream for their future. Educating yourself with the up-to-date research, information, and resources concerning the rights of your child, will not only protect their abilities, but enable them to get the most out of the life they desire. Each state has a Parent Training center that provides information, technical assistance, and support to families of children with disabilities. As you read through our blog, I encourage you to take a look at some of the parental resources offered to you in the transition planning process.
- The above video is a information discussion with a Northeastern University School of Law to discuss Transition Planning for students who receive special education services. It discusses a component of a good transition plan; on in which successfully helps transition age students plan for life after students leave the special education setting and gives reason why transition planning not only benefits students but the entire community. This video gives parents information about good transition planning and what that looks like. It allows parents information on their child's legal rights that are to be met through transition planning and they are exposed to the benefit transition planning has on not just their child but the community which can better help to to advocate for their student.
- The NICHY site is an online resource for students with disabilities, their families and special educators. The site gives clear explanations of IDEA laws that apply to students with disabilities; clearly identifying their rights within the school systems. It breaks down the laws that protects students in terms of the services they are provided by schools, helps clarify specific disabilities, recognized under IDEA and gives current research for families and educators. It covers the process of identification, the process of IEP meetings and delivers multiple external resources for students and families that will help them to advocate for the students rights. The site has an entire section devoted to transition planning which defines transition services as per IDEA, discusses the legal and moral importance of including students in their transition planning. It give external links to articles written by parents, students and educators regarding transition planning. This site will allow parents to more clearly understand their students rights in regards to transition services; breaking down parts of the IDEA law that applies to transition services and giving them community perspective from those who have went through this process before.
- Parent and Family Guide to Transition Education and Planning is a PDF document that breaks down the concept and process of transition planning for parents. It describes what transition is defined under IDEA '97 while focuses on the different transition models that have come about over the years. The document covers the process of transition planning, the goals it hopes to meet and some rational. The document is a bit hard to follow if you are not an educator who has gone through the process but it has great insight and information for parents on the whole process, gives parents the process from the educators perspective which allows them to form pertinent questions regarding the transition planning process and what it aims to accomplish in terms of moving students out of the school environment.
The "flux" group really enjoyed the statement about expectations are different with every family resulting in a different outcome of postsecondary education. Not all students come from the same background and upbringing, therefore they all have different goals they wish to achieve. It is very important that the parents are actively involved in their child's education and advices for the child to become successful.
ReplyDeleteWe liked the idea of a video but in reality, most parents do not have the time to sit and watch a twenty-five minute discussion about transition. An overall summary of the video would be helpful to let the parents know of the main points that are expressed.
The NICHY website was very informative and was also not too long, which is a plus. We thought it was very important that they expressed their thoughts on how vital it is to have the child involved in their transition process. After all, it is the child's future!
The PDF document, we felt had some great points, but as you all mentioned was a little difficult to keep up with.
Overall, we felt as if you all did a great job on your first blog! We would have liked to see a personal story about successful transition processes.
Flux,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind comments and constructive criticism concerning our first blog! We felt that it was really important to address the fact that every family is different and may desire different outcomes for their own lives. Ultimately, as we have all been learning in class, a family that is involved results in better postsecondary outcomes for their child!
As for the length of the video, we do realize it may have been a little too long and perhaps even overwhelming to new families, single parents, English Language Learners, or low-income families who may not be at all educated in the transition planning process. We will all definitely keep this in mind as we continue to post future blogs and resources.
We are extremely glad that you felt the NICHY website was as informative as we did! It really is full of great information for the transition process while still maintaining to be short, sweet, and to the point.
The Transition planning process contains so much information that it is a difficult task trying to obtain the right resources and information that would be useful to any family. Since we have already acknowledged that each family is different, it is evident that different information may hit home to certain families while it may not be relevant to others.
Thank you so much again for your comment and feedback concerning our blog! We look forward to working with Flux as we continue to post further blogs and resources focused on Transition!
-Alphabet Soup for the Transitioners' Soul