What Special Needs Students Need to be Taught Before They Graduate

5th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2010

What Special Needs Students Need to be Taught Before They

Graduate

Denise NorthMetro Technology Centers


A person with a disability wakes up and goes to bed EVERY day with the knowledge that they are different, and they often believe that they are some how less than their peers.


Learning About Themselves They also all have strengths that

they often have not tapped or are even aware of.

To show them that they have much in common with their peers and that they have strengths is the job of parents, counselors and teachers.


The Laws that Affect Persons with Disabilities

The three laws are: Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA),

Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAA),

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.


Individuals with Disabilities Education

Act (IDEA)Known as the special ed law, it outlines how children from birth through graduation will

be educated and what services will be provided to the student.

The school has the responsibility to find and fund whatever is determined to be needed

to educate the student to his/her fullest potential.

Enforcement of this law is with the state departments of education and the federal

office of education


Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

This law covers all persons with disabilities but is not as protective as

IDEAIt is the individual’s responsibility to self

declare their disability and provide documentation about the disability

The Office of Civil Rights oversees the enforcement of this law


Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

This law was written before ADA but was not as broad reaching. It also covers all

persons with disabilities.Like ADA it is the individuals

responsibility to declare his/her disability and provide documentation

The Office of Civil Rights also oversees the enforcement of this law.


Primary Difference between IDEA and

ADA/504IDEA is an “entitlement” law in that

persons receiving services under this law get more than their peers.

ADA/504 are “access” laws that seek to level the playing field and are considered

civil rights laws.


Career Planning for the Student with

DisabilitiesThe same process applies to these students

as their peers. They need to explore different occupations in elementary school

and deepen their exploration in middle school.

The process may need to be modified for these students to include more direct

instruction and to insert career planning into academics as much as possible.


Career Planning in Elementary School

Professional day where parents come to class and talk about their job. It is best to provide an outline of topics to cover

for the parent.Interviews by students of parents and grandparents regarding occupations.

Computer research on occupations. This can be done in the upper grades and

turned into a writing assignment.


Career Planning for Middle School

Computer research to compare and contrast occupations.

Group presentations covering occupations or companies.

On parent night, have the students tell parents what classes they plan to take in high school to work toward their chosen

occupation.Have students research persons with

disabilities that have become famous or important.


Plans of StudyAfter the student has chosen an occupation to

pursue they will need to develop a plan of study to outline how to achieve this goal.

Plans of study are guidelines and are not written in stone or written one time and forgotten.

The document should be revisited at least annually to see if the student still wants to work toward this

occupation and to monitor progress.

Plans of Study and Transition Pages have many of the same components and should complement

each other.


ACT TestIf there is any possibility of the individual

ever attending a technology center, college or university he/she need to take

the ACT testAccommodations can be made for the

test based on the IEP The best time to take the test is during

the senior year of high school


Other Activities That Can Help

Assemblies that focus on occupations Leadership training

Peer interaction with a focus such as civic groups, student organizations,

service activitiesTime to interact with a trusted adult to provide feedback on progress toward obtaining skills needed to go to work.


Soft Skills also known as Social Skills

Industry has said that lack of soft skills such as time management, conflict

resolution, customer service and getting along with co-workers are the leading

reasons for firing employees.These skills can be taught indirectly but may need direct instruction for students

with special needs.


The Facts about Postsecondary

EducationCollege or a technology center are

options after graduation, even with a disability.

NO IEP in Postsecondary education.Accommodations can be made, but no

modifications. Major Difference, no one will ask if

help is needed; the student must ask for it.


Career Tech vs. College

This is no longer an either/or choiceStudents at technology centers can earn

college credit while in high school.College credit earned at a technology center

can transfer to most colleges in OK at a greatly reduced cost.

Not every occupation requires a college degree, but most require some training

beyond high school.


Differences Between Secondary and Postsecondary

EducationSecondary

High school staff direct all activities

Assistance is automaticRarely have homework

Parents directly involvedTransportation provided

Postsecondary Student must manage

time and schedule Student must seek

assistance Homework is

expected Parents are involved

only if student requests

Transportation is student’s responsibility


CareerTech vs. College

If the student’s career goal requires a college degree then he/she must go to

college but they may be able to get some of the training at a technology center while in

high school.All Oklahoma technology centers have

alliance agreements with Oklahoma colleges and in some career majors, college credit can be earned at a technology center

while in high school at a greatly reduced cost.


The Facts about Postsecondary

EducationAdult students (anyone out of high

school) need to know that not many people care if they have a disability, just

whether they can do the job. The student is responsible for providing

documentation of disability.Curriculum will not be modified, only how

the information is given to or received from the student.


Going to WorkStudents need to be made aware that they will need to interact with adults in the workplace in effective ways. Role

play and advise from “experts” are good ways to teach this concept.

They also need to become informed on proper work attire. Video fashion shows, and “expert” guest are good to introduce

this concept.


Information About Obtaining a Job

The student will need to be told to take a clean, unwrinkled, unfolded and correctly

written resume’ to apply for a job.They should have an additional copy of their resume’ and references when they

go to apply for jobs to refer to when filling out the application.


Hints for the InterviewThe students should make a test run to

locate where the interview will take place. This could even include finding the room. They should plan to arrive 5 to10 minutes

early.Anyone could be on the interview team

even the receptionist.Handshakes and eye contact are very important and sometimes need to be

taught.


How to Keep a JobBe on time to work! Student say they

will be on time for work, but the truth is they usually revert to the same habits

that they have in high school. This is the #1 reason that people get fired!

Company culture is very important and this concept needs to be taught to

students.


How to Keep a JobStudents need to know that their word is

important and if they say they will do something they should do it.

They will have to work with people that they do not like, this is part of the world

of work.At the workplace people are expected to be productive, no standing around doing

nothing.


Without knowledge of the laws that effect them, persons with

disabilities are at the mercy of those who do.


Questions and/or Discussion

Denise NorthMetro Technology Centers

[email protected]

Documents

What Special Needs Students Need to be Taught Before They Graduate