15.1 Transition Definitions

A student with a disability is an individual with a disability in a secondary, postsecondary, or other recognized education program who is between the ages of 15-21, is eligible for, and receiving special education or related services under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.), or is an individual with a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

A youth with a disability is any individual with a disability who is between the ages of 14-24, regardless of educational status.

Transition services are a coordinated set of activities for a student or youth with a disability designed within an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational training, competitive integrated employment, supported employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, and/or community participation.

The coordinated set of activities must be based upon the individual’s needs, taking into account the individual’s preferences and interests, and shall include instruction, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

Pre-employment transition services are provided to students with disabilities and consist of job exploration counseling; work-based learning experiences, including in-school or after school opportunities or experience outside the traditional school setting (including internships), provided in an integrated environment in the community to the maximum extent possible; counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education; workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living; and instruction in self-advocacy.

Additional guidance and descriptions of each pre-employment transition service can be found at http://www.wintac.org/topic-areas/pre-employment-transition-services.