Disability Resource Network, Inc. 

Transition Services

Transition services help prepare students with disabilities to prepare for post-school life. These services are available to students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from 18-22 years old. :

The following conditions must be met:
  • Students have met all academic requirements for graduation.
  • PPT makes the recommendation for transition-only services that must be reviewed at least annually.
  • Transition-only services must be a coordinated set of individualized activities but do not need to be a specialized “program.”
  • Transition-only services must provide students with the opportunity to spend at least 80 percent of their time with nondisabled peers. 
  • Students are entitled to participate in graduation activities upon completion of academic requirements or at the conclusion of transition-only services - this is a decision to be made by the student, parents, and/or guardians or surrogate and the PPT. 
  • If students participate in transition-only services, the date on their diploma or certificate will be the date that they exit high school (either aging out at 21 or with a diploma or certificate).
The following should also be considered:
  • Transition-only services are typically discussed during the senior year of high school. 
  • Transition-only services are not needed for graduation but may include academic, vocational, and independent living activities that will help students meet their post-school goals.List Item
  • Transition-only services should be based in the local community to the greatest extent possible in order to prepare students for life after high school.

Examples of Transition Activities

Employment Skills

  • Students take Vocational Interest Inventories to identify their interests and the matching fields available to them
  • Completing employment related certification courses such as:
        Security Officer Card
        Certified Nursing Assistant
        Paraprofessional Certification
  • Meeting with employers in their fields on interest and setting up internships  
  • Creating a resume and updating with future experience
  • Filling out job applications and following up with employers
  • Participate in mock interviews and learn about workplace etiquette
  • If employed, support during employment
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Post-Secondary Education

  • Visit local colleges, universities, and trade schools that students may be interested
  • Complete entrance applications and arrange entrance examinations
  • Review selected major and select courses applicable
  • Request any applicable accommodations 
  • Some student may be eligible to have a paraprofessional accompany them to school
  • Assist with completing coursework, arranging tutoring, meeting with professors, etc. 

  • Student's have attended Naugatuck Valley Community College, Housatonic Community College, Gateway Community College, Southern CT University, Post University, Oxford Hair Academy, and JobCore with DRN support
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Volunteer & Jobsite Experience

  • DRN maintains relationships in our community to develop volunteer sites and job sites where students can gain practical hands on experience 
  • At the Orange Community Center, students work on accepting food donations for the pantry by conducting an intake review for damage and the expiration date, sorting the items by type, stocking the shelves appropriately, and rotating items as new donations arrive. This is all translatable experience to a retail position.
  • At the CT Beardsley Zoo,. students work on the zoo landscaping and gain experience as landscapers. Students help maintain existing landscaping, conduct fall leaf cleanup, spread spring mulch, and help plant new flowers and trees. 
  • In the past DRN has created job sites at other businesses for specific student interests:
         Marshall's: stock room and shoe department
         McDonalds: cleaning and set up meal boxes
         Archie Moore's: wipe down menus, set up the                                    silverware
         Maria's Hair: shop assistant
         Carroll Construction: site assistant
         Marshall Lane Manor: CNA
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Community Experience

  • Weekly community outings to visit places of the students choice and practice real life skills such as purchasing, navigating stores, safety skills, etc
  • Weekly visit to the local library to access the available resources
  • YMCA membership to access the activities available
  • Weekly outing to shop for the recipe students will cook during cooking lessons. Students learn to shop from a list, stay within budget, use coupons/shop sales, and complete the purchase
  • Travel training by taking local buses and trains. Students will lookup the schedules, plan their route and determine times and costs. 
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Daily Living Skills

  • Cooking lessons where students learnt o look up recipes, create a shopping list, visit the grocery store to shop or use shopping services like Peapod, and create the recipe. 
  • Laundry lessons where students sort laundry by color, load the washing machine and use correct detergent, load dryer and set correctly, and then fold afterwards. Students will also practice ironing and hanging items on hangers.
  • Practice making a bed utilizing the murphy bed at DRN to change the sheets and pillowcases.
  • Household budgeting skills where students will learn how to budget, what types of bills to expect, and what resources are available.
  • Emergency safety and resource lessons where students will learn about what to do during a variety of emergencies, who to call, and what other resources are available. 
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Recreation

  • Students go on recreational outings of their choice to places such as the mall, movie theaters, splash pad, zoos, aquariums, etc. 
  • Students interested in pursuing athletic teams are able to participate in their home district sports programs such as basketball, cheerleading, etc. DRN has also helped arrange for individuals to be team assistants if they are unable to meet the physical requirements. 
  • DRN has a Recreation Program for students still attending their home district for one day per month a special activity is arranged such as bowling, movies, concerts, etc. 
  • Students visit their local parks and beaches for nature related activities such as hiking, scavengers hunts, picnics, and field day.
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