Fall 2019 Symposium: PA INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION CONSORTIUM

1. Fall 2019 Symposium: PA INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION CONSORTIUM High School steps that lead to college Wendy Smith, wsmith3@esu.edu, Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Special Education & Rehabilitation, ESU

2. DON’T LIMIT ME…by MeganBomgarrs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOwDfnoek6E

3. Top 5 things every STUDENT and PARENT should know about High School Steps That Lead to College Lehigh Carbon Community College Fall 2019 Symposium – PA Inclusive Higher Education Consortium October 3, 2019

4. Transition Planning begins the year the student will become 14 ….the IEP team must begin to plan for transition to the adult world including thinking about post-secondary education/training, employment and independent living. EVERYTHING in the IEP must now begin to focus on these planned outcomes for your child. IDEA 2004 mandates this! But it is never too early to begin thinking and planning. Planning is ongoing and you may request multiple opportunities to meet and discuss Transition.

5. 1. Invitation to IEP Meeting You must be invited to participate in the IEP meetings to discuss future goals for life after high school. You should have a valued seat at the IEP table and actively participate at the highest ability level.

6. 2. The IEP should be based on and reflect the YOUR interests, preferences and skills. • Post-secondary activities should be based on your interests, preferences, and abilities. If you have a need to further explore activities in these two areas in identifying interests/preferences and aptitudes/abilities, then that should be made available. • Any post-secondary activity should help you develop skills in a setting that is of personal interest to you and/or where your unique abilities can be successfully utilized and a focus of instruction.

7. 3. Measurable Annual Goals • Measurable annual goals in the IEP should lead to developing skills which help to ensure successful post-secondary school outcomes. Discuss and prioritize skill deficits that will be addressed in the IEP. Progress should be documented and measurable.

8. 3. Measurable Annual Goals -continued- • Ask for progress monitoring reports about your post-secondary education/training, employment experiences and/or independent living skills. • Discuss with the IEP team how you will meet the goal of attending a post-secondary/training option, or being employed, and where you will live and how you will access and participate in your community in the future after graduation. • Maintain a portfolio and resume of your experiences, progress reports, and favorable reviews from your child’s supervisors. • Choose academic experiences that support your future goals .

9. 4. Local Agencies • In collaboration with the school staff, identify what community agencies provide support for transitioning youth. Contacting adult service provider agencies before you graduate or “age out” will help to ensure that you will continue to receive services after graduation. This may help facilitate the process of receiving services?

10. 4. Local Agencies-continued- • You are entitled to invite representatives from other agencies to your IEP meetings. As a courtesy and while building a professional working relationship with your local school district, inform them of additional people you’ve invited to the IEP meeting. • If you have a supports coordinator from your local office of Mental Health, Behavioral Health, or Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities, invite the supports coordinator to the IEP meetings throughout your years in school, especially during the last year of high school, if appropriate. This person can help to coordinate post-high school support services. • You may be eligible for services through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Schedule an appointment for an intake interview and file the necessary paperwork with your local VR Office two years prior to graduating or “aging out”., request that an OVR Transition Counselor attend the IEP meeting in preparation of your post-secondary or employment outcome. • If you are transitioning to college, you should visit with the Disability Supports Office to ensure that the supports needed are available. Discuss what documentation is needed for eligibility of services. Consider preparing and taking placement tests early. • Discuss your transportation needs. If you will need assistance getting to and from the PSE environment, request and fill out applications for public transportation services. • For those who may need social security benefits and/or work incentives, consider meeting and working with a special needs benefits planner.

11. 5. Self-advocacy Skills • Begin understanding your disability as soon as you can. • It is critical that young adults with disabilities be able to communicate his/her disability to others including friends, employers, landlords etc. • Additionally, you should be able to state how the disability impacts you in various settings (educational, employment, residential, community and what accommodations work for you. • Seek resources such as the Job Accommodation Network. https://askjan.org/)

12. Resources • Pennsylvania Secondary Transition: http://www.secondarytransition.org/ • The 411 on Disability Disclosure: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/publications/the-411-on-disability-disclosure-a-workbook-for-youth-with-disabilities/ (click download PDF) • Transition to Adult Living in Pennsylvania: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/Programs/Infant%20and%20Children%20Health/The%20FINAL%20Transition%20May%209%202013.pdf • Self-determination Skills, • Pages 1 - 19 • Self-Advocacy Skills: http://lifeafterieps.com/

13. Hearing from the expert Dr. jane brown

14. Adapted from Dr. Jane Brown,College Autism Spectrum. Com • What is the differences in legislation of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and ADA (American Disabilities Act)? • How do you and your child prepare for college options? • Do you know how to self-advocate and set goals (self-determination skills) for your self? • Do you know the type of documentation required at the post-secondary level? • What do parents need to know? • How can you gain insight into your disability?

15. Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D College Autism Spectrumwww.CollegeAutismSpectrum.com860-978-8267

16. Students with disabilities preparing for post-secondary education: know your rights and responsibilities U.S. Department of EducationArne Duncan, Secretary Office for Civil RightsRusslynn Ali, Assistant Secretary First published July 2002. Reprinted May 2004.Revised September 2007. Revised September 2011. http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html

17. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation • Department of Labor & Industry: https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/ovr/Pages/default.aspx • Request an application beginning two years prior to graduation or aging out of high school, http://www.paproviders.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/OVR-Online-Pre-Application-Instructions.pdf • Types of Services • Diagnostic Services • Vocational Evaluation • Counseling Services • Restoration Services • Training Services • Placement Services • Support Services • Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS) • Early Reach Initiative • “Early Reach Coordinator reaches out to youth with disabilities as early as age 14, so that they know more about OVR services and what to expect from vocational rehabilitation services”. (OVR-515 REV 03-15) • Career Exploration: What do you want to be when you grow up? • Soft Skills Academy: Important skills for Employment and Everyday Life • The Ins and Outs: Applications, Resumes, and Interviewing • Transition Planning • Self – Advocacy: Getting what you need, how you need it! • Self – Awareness: It’s all about you!

18. http://www.passhe.edu/Pages/default.aspx Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE)

19. Options for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability • Think College: http://www.thinkcollege.net/ • D.R.E.A.M. Partnership: http://dreampartnership.org/ • Hiram G. Andrews: https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/hgac/Pages/default.aspx

20. Defying the odds • Triumph Over Cancer: American Strong w/ David Muir https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/triumph-eye-cancer-33872727

21. When Bill met Shelley: No disability could keep them apart • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC4UcUQvmHs Inspirational Stories: PINTEREST https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgn2VD03EbI - Katie

22. Thank you for your time…