Transition to Postsecondary Education for Students With Disabilities

"Today, students with disabilities have more postsecondary options than ever before. They need to make knowledgeable decisions about their futures. This timely resource provides critical guidance educators and families need to help students transition into postsecondary education and careers with purposeful success. The authors offer a powerful storehouse of information and suggestions that fills a longstanding vacuum in our professional resources."
―Patricia K. Ralabate, Senior Policy Analyst
National Education Association

"This book fills a noticeable gap in our profession′s ability to identify the keys elements, strategies, and resources required for successful transition into postsecondary education."
―Robert N. Ianacone, Former President
International Division on Career Development

"The book is well-written, easy to read, and addresses many facets and avenues for transitioning effectively. A must-have!"
―Jane Williams, Former Professor and Chairperson, Department of Special Education
Towson University

Help students with disabilities put their goals into action and navigate postsecondary life!

As mandated by federal law, schools must assist students with disabilities in developing appropriate goals and transition plans for life after high school. Written for teachers and student assistance professionals, this comprehensive and practical book focuses on how the planning process can prepare students for the greater independence of postsecondary settings.

Recognizing that students with disabilities have a wide range of needs, this resource discusses the transition requirements of various postsecondary options, including colleges, universities, career and technical training programs, and employment. Developed by highly regarded experts, this authoritative guide includes:

• The most up-to-date information on key legislation that affects transition services and the rights and responsibilities of students and professionals
• Advice for helping students document disabilities, develop self-advocacy skills, and seek accommodations
• Information about postsecondary resources on campus and in the community
• Students′ personal stories and a look at the role of family involvement
• An overview of transition considerations for middle school youth

With user-friendly tools such as checklists, case studies, and reflective questions to support the creation of transition plans, educators can help students successfully explore and pursue educational opportunities after high school.

Carol Kochhar-Bryant is a professor of special education at the George Washington University. For 21 years she has developed and directed advanced graduate and doctoral leadership preparation programs related to secondary and transition services for youth with disabilities. She teaches courses in special education, legal issues and public policy, systemic change and leadership, and interdisciplinary planning and development. She currently consults with public school districts, state departments of education, and federal agencies, and has collaborated in international special education and transition policy research with the World Bank and the Office of Economic Cooperation and Development. She has conducted evaluations of state systemic reform initiatives, national technical assistance centers, transition services in correctional systems, and a variety of community-based agencies. Kochhar-Bryant is a former teacher of individuals with intellectual disabilities, a residential program director, case management program director, and evaluator. She is widely published in the areas of disability policy, leadership development, interagency service coordination, career-vocational programming, and secondary-to-postsecondary transition for special learners. She is past president of the Division on Career Development and Transition of the International Council for Exceptional Children.

Diane S. Bassett is a professor in the School of Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado. She has taught general and special education in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions, and in both public and private schools. She currently coordinates the Generalist Masters Program and teaches coursework in secondary services, adolescent and adult development, transition from school to adulthood for students with exceptionalities, self-advocacy and self-determination, and transition services in a standards-based system. Bassett is the coauthor of two books, Student-Focused Conferencing and Planning and Aligning Transition and Standards-Based Education: Issues and Strategies. Her other publications center on self-determination, effective services for students with mild/moderate disabilities, and efficacy-based transition practices. Bassett is a past president of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) and was also honored with the Oliver P. Kolstoe Award from DCDT for her work in transition. At UNCO, she has been awarded the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education, the College of Education Outstanding Scholar Award and Outstanding Service Award, the Mortar Board Award, and the Panhellenic Outstanding Professor Award.

Kristine W. Webb is an associate professor in the Department of Exceptional Student and Deaf Education and director of the Disability Resource Center at the University of North Florida (UNF). Webb is a past president of the International Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT), an organization dedicated to improving life for adolescents and adults with disabilities. In 2007, she was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Service Award at the University of North Florida. In addition, Webb was the UNF 2003 CASE Undergraduate Teaching Award nominee and received the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award for 2001-2002. In 2003, she was awarded the Transition Champion by the Division for Career Development and Transition. Before coming to UNF, Webb served as the director of the Florida Network: Information and Services for Adults and Adolescents with Disabilities housed at the University of Florida. Prior to that position, she was the coordinator of a collaborative special education intern program at the University of New Mexico. Before her own transition to higher education, Webb was a high school teacher for 17 years in Colorado and New Mexico. Along with her interest in teacher preparation, Webb has a long-standing passion for promoting successful postsecondary education experiences for individuals with disabilities, family involvement and collaboration, and transition to adult life for individuals with disabilities.