The transition process is designed in order to prepare the students to live successful lives. It is to identify the student’s “strengths, abilities, deficits, interests, and preferences” (Tennessee State Transition Manual, page 5). Transition services are designed to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities. These activities can include post-secondary education, vocational training programs, employment, adult services, independent living, or community participation. “The IEP planning process allows us the freedom to dream with our students, to give them something to work toward and to hope for, and that meets both the letter and the spirit of the law” (Tennessee State Transition Manual, page 8).
Second of as a parents you need to know the rights of their child. According to IDEA, 2004, requires transition services to be included in the first IEP when the child turns 16 years of age. The student is also entitled to be invited to the IEP meeting. Thirdly, you need to know the extent of your rights. Two websites that help with these are:
Parents have the right to know of the opportunities that their child has in their future. There are numerous of websites that provides strategies of the possible paths that the IEP team may deem appropriate. These strategies include the following websites:
· www.ssa.gov: Inform the parents of any potential long-term benefits such as Supplemental Security Income.
· http://www.jan.wvu.edu/: Job Accommodation Network was created to employ individuals with disabilities. This network also provides family members and other interested parties with information on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities and related subjects.
· http://www.ncset.org/about/default.html: Provides families with the opportunity of sending youth with disabilities to a secondary education.