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Education/Training Connections

A pretty black young woman intently reads a textbook.November 2009 | Links checked, May 2013

As part of a student’s transition planning for life after high school, the student and the other members of his or her IEP team will probably consider the possibility of more education or training. In keeping with the options specifically mentioned in IDEA, the discussion of education/training after high school may focus on:

  • postsecondary education at a college, university, or community college;
  • vocational education to learn a trade or specific job skill; or
  • continuing and adult education.

This resource page will connect IEP teams with organizations and articles that can help team members tackle the education/training question during transition planning.

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Getting Started

One of the first places to visit is the HEATH Resource Center, the clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. There, you’ll find online learning modules to guide your exploration of education or training after high school. Start with:

Knowing Your Options: What to do and Where to Go
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/modules/awareness-of-postsecondary-options/

Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Can It Help You?
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/modules/rehabilitation-services/

Opportunities in Career and Technical Education at the Postsecondary Level
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/modules/career-and-technical-education/

Non-Degree Postsecondary Options For Individuals with Disabilities
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/assets/9/non_degree_postsec_1.pdf

Together, these modules will give you a good frame of reference for thinking about and planning ahead for education or training after high school.

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These Experts Can Help

There are many rich resource centers and organizations to visit that can help you and yours explore the possibilities for education and/or training after high school. Try these, for starters, listed in alpha order. We give you their home page addresses, so that you can poke in all the corners according to your interests and needs.

AHEAD | Association on Higher Education and Disability
Resources for parents and students
http://www.ahead.org/students-parents

Colleges, Career Colleges, Tech Colleges and Schools by State | Pick your state (or another!) and see what’s available.
http://www.college-scholarships.com/index.html#collegestate

DO-IT | DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) works to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. DO-IT Scholars is especially for college-capable high school students with disabilities.
http://www.washington.edu/doit/

Education-Portal.com | Your portal to degree programs, career information, school reviews, and education news
http://education-portal.com/index.html

HEATH Resource Center | We’ve already mentioned HEATH, the online clearinghouse for postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.Come here if you’re looking for information about educational support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, and opportunities at American campuses, vocational-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities for adults with disabilities.
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/

PEPNet | Advancing educational options for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
http://www.pepnet.org/

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What About College? General Resources

Don’t discount college as an option because the potential student has a disability. There are many very helpful resources that are designed to guide students with disabilities through the process of considering college, applying to college, and succeeding there.

College or Training Programs | How to Decide
http://www.ldonline.org/article/12768

Mapping Your Dreams: Education
http://www.pacer.org/tatra/resources/MYD/education.asp

Going to College | A resource for teens with disabilities
http://www.going-to-college.org/

College Planning for Students with Disabilities |
http://www.educationquest.org/college-planning-for-students-with-disabilities/

Transition Checklist for Families |
http://www.thinkcollege.net/images/stories/site_docs/family_checklist.pdf

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education | Know Your Rights and Responsibilities | Office of Civil Rights
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html

U.S. Department of Education | http://www.ed.gov
Find a scad of resources about education after high school, such as:

Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid (in English and Spanish)
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html

All about college | Why go, what to do, how to pay
Lots of info for parents and students and for teachers and counselors
http://studentaid.ed.gov/home

The Next Step video | This 19-minute video presents personal stories of five Texans with disabilities who enrolled in colleges, universities or technical schools. Available in English and Spanish.
http://www.txddc.state.tx.us/resources/publications/NextStepVideo.asp

Students with Disabilities Tell Their Story video |
http://www.newenglandada.org/succeeding-college-and-work-students-disabilities-tell-their-stories

HEATH modules | As mentioned above, the HEATH Resource Centers offers online modules on a spectrum of topics related to postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Ones pertinent to going to college include:

Getting into College: What Students with Disabilities Want to Know

Academic and Co-Curricular Accommodations in Colleges and Universities

Community College: An Excellent Option for Students with Disabilities

Show Me the Money! Options for Paying for College

The Laws: What Do They Have To Do With You?

Many other HEATH modules cover aspects of concern that students may have once they get to college, including independent living, getting along with faculty, and emotional support. Access the entire list of topics at:
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/modules/

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What About College? Resources on Specific Disabilities

AD/HD or LD | Resources for College
http://www.greatschools.net/LD/school-learning/resources-for-college-for-students.gs?content=798

Asperger Syndrome | College Resource Guide
http://www.aspfi.org/college/

Autism spectrum |
http://www.collegeautismspectrum.com/students.html

Blindness | see Visual impairments

Deafness or hard of hearing | Transitioning to college tipsheet
http://www.pepnet.org/resources/tipstransitioning

Intellectual disabilities | Postsecondary Education Options for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=178&type=topic&id=7

Intellectual disabilities | Think College!
http://www.thinkcollege.net/

Learning disabilities | Post-high school options
http://www.ncld.org/college-aamp-work/post-high-school-options

Learning disabilities | Colleges with Programs for
Learning Disabled Students
http://www.college-scholarships.com/learning_disabilities.htm

LD or AD/HD | Resources for College
http://www.greatschools.net/LD/school-learning/resources-for-college-for-students.gs?content=798

Physical disabilities | Disability friendly colleges
http://www.disabilityfriendlycolleges.com/

Psychiatric disabilities | Handling your psychiatric disability in work and school
http://www.bipolarworld.net/job_school/js27.htm

Visual impairments | National Alliance of Blind Students
http://acbstudents.org/

Visual impairments | NFB Cafe: For Blind and Visually Impaired College Students & Professionals
http://en-gb.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42381613153

Visual impairments | Off to college tips
http://www.c3online.org/PHP-c170.pdf

Visual impairments | Help for college-bound students
http://www.tsbvi.edu/transition/71-help-for-college-bound-students

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Which Transition Page Would You Like to Visit Now?

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