https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/resource-library/texas-transition-and-employment-guide

The 2020 Grad Toolkit  provides details about the Foundation High School Program, benefits and explanation of the Distinguished Level of achievement option, endorsement choices, checklists and resources.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has a new website with more information about Supplemental Special Education Services.

 What are SSES?

They are on-line accounts made available to eligible parents of students with disabilities that have been impacted by COVID-19 school closures.

Who is eligible for an SSES account?

Families of students who are enrolled in a Texas public school this year (2020-

21), were enrolled during the initial COVID-19 school closures (2019-20), and

were identified as having a low incidence disability (e.g., an intellectual disability,

a developmental disability, a visual impairment, hearing loss, a significant

physical disability, multiple disabilities, or are on the autistic spectrum).

For more frequently asked questions (FAQ) about SSES, click on the link below:

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/special-education/supplemental-special-education-services-sses

The SCTN's new resource, Transition and Employment Designee Guidelines, is now available. The guidelines provide TEDs with information and tools to better understand their role.

The guidelines provide information on:

• frequently asked questions;

• statutory requirements and related resources;

• state agencies essential to interagency coordination; and

• building capacity within the different areas of TED responsibility

Link here: TED Guidelines

Sunnyvale High School Graduates 2021

If you received special education services while in high school, please watch the attached video. It will explain a phone call you will receive sometime next year from the Texas Education Agency.

Indicator 14 for Graduates

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dxfJviP8PPQn61hZBqs63bFxxyH-gw4_/view?usp=sharingr 

 College Resources for Students with Disabilities, the Ultimate Guide!

https://www.collegechoice.net/college-resources-for-students-with-disabilities/

College Contacts and Programs for Students with Disabilities *NEW*

Another great resource that was presented to me is a career guide for people with disabilities. Check that out at the link below. 

https://novoresume.com/career-blog/disability-career-guide

Please see the attached document for a current listing of college contacts and programs available for students with disabilities. Updated in 2021

College Disability Contacts

Texas Transition and Employment Guide

The Texas Education Agency has developed a transition and employment guide for you, the student in Texas public school, who may have received special education services due to a disability. It also provides helpful information for your parents. This guide has steps you and your parents can take to make sure you are able to find the right work-based or educational choices for you after high school. It also tells you where to go to access the services you will need after high school.

The guide is divided into sections on Self Advocacy, Transition Services, Employment and Supported Employment, Social Security Programs, Community and Long Term Services and Supports, Post-Secondary Educational Programs and Services, Information Sharing, and Guardianship and Alternatives. Each section has phone numbers, emails, and websites to help you find what you need. At the end of each section and at the end of the guide, you will find a timeline of steps that you and your parents can take as you make the transition from student to adult. If you have questions about this guide or the information in it, please send TEA an email at: sped@tea.state.tx.us.

The Transition and Employment Guide is located in the top right hand corner of the Transition in Texas website, listed below.  Here TEA will make revisions and update the guide on a regular basis in order to keep it accurate and meaningful for you as you prepare to transition into adulthood.

 http://www.texastransition.org/apps/pages/texas-transition-and-employment-guide

Transition Guide by OSERS

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) has published A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities. The guide from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is comprehensive and offers information on how state and local agencies, and VR work collaboratively to improve outcomes for students and youth with disabilities. The guide also provides practical examples in various settings of these collaborative efforts.

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/postsecondary-transition-guide-may-2017.pdf

Region 10 Interagency Resources - Livebinder

There are many agencies that work together to support the needs of Special Education students as well as all children who have unique needs from community based services.  Through the local Community Resource Coordination Groups, partnerships have formed between agencies to support each other and the families of Region 10 ESC.  This binder shares information about these various services and the agencies and access process.  While there are many other agencies and resources who may be able to support the needs of our children, these are only a few with whom we have worked through Community Resource Coordination Groups.  These are not identified as recommendations but only as information for our families and friends.

The Livebinder is continuously updated to reflect current contacts and supports.

Region 10 Interagency Resources

Transition Assessment & Activities - Livebinder

Below is a link to an awesome resource for transition!  It is a livebinder (which means it is continually updated) that has tons of great, FREE links and tools on it. There are age appropriate transition assessments, career planning sheets, exploration forms, interest surveys, self-advocacy assessments, learning style guides, independent living inventories, and SO MUCH MORE.  This can be used from Pre-K all the way up to 18+! Explore and learn more about all things related to transition.

Age Appropriate Transition Assessments and Resources

Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Forms now available online!

The Texas Workforce Commission is introducing “Start My VR” an online self-referral portal for prospective vocational rehabilitation customers, providing a convenient way for individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment to inquire about Vocational Rehabilitation Services and/or be connected to a Vocational Rehabilitation staff member.

“Start My VR offers individuals with disabilities a way to connect with VR Services at their convenience and take their first step toward achieving their employment goals,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC remains focused on helping every Texas job seeker connect to their next career opportunity.”

Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services supports individuals with physical or mental disabilities in achieving their employment goals. VR Services are designed to help an individual live independently and address employment barriers related to a disability, and support eligible individuals as they prepare for, obtain, retain or advance in employment.

“Vocational Rehabilitation Services are staffed by teams of rehabilitation professionals, whose priority is to provide services and support to individuals with disabilities to ensure that they may fully participate in the labor market and live independent lives,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez. “VR Services can often be a life-changing journey, which can begin with ‘Start My VR’.”

VR Services are personalized to an individual’s needs and can include assessments and diagnostics, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and cognitive therapies, among other services. VR Services, a core partner of the Texas Workforce System, may also include career-focused education, training, and apprenticeships, job development, paid work experience, among other employment supports.

“Texas employers that make disability inclusiveness a priority in their workplace have demonstrated increased employee retention, employee satisfaction, and innovation – all of which contribute to a competitive business advantage,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “Through ‘Start My VR’ we want to reach more individuals with disabilities to ensure they are aware of how VR services can benefit them, and support our goal to ensure that Texas employers benefit from the many talented individuals with disabilities who can join the workforce.”

Click the link below to get started!

Start My VR

2022 Summer recreation & camp opportunities

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WLcZ2nCOYk0qUW24594YoOIBXc1anC_iv6heJHaev3M/edit#gid=0 

Please check out the link below to access current recreation/camp opportunities for our students this summer. The color coding makes it easy to search (day camps, overnight camps, disability-specific, recreation/fitness/sports, fine/performing arts, social/communication, events, parks, those including siblings and families, and sensory friendly events). There is something for EVERYONE and many are offered in the Dallas area.  Please forward this information to your parents so our kids can have the opportunity to make some extra special memories this summer. :)

Scholarships for students with disabilities

See the attached link for available scholarships for Students with Disabilities.

Scholarships

*NEW* Transfer of Rights for your student with a disability

When your child with a disability turns 18, your parental rights will transfer to your adult student. So what are your options to continue to help protect them medically, financially, etc?  It use to be that Guardianship was the only way to navigate this process for students with significant cognitive disablilites.  That is no longer the case! Now there are LOTS of different avenues you can take as a parent to help support your adult student as they transition to this new phase.  The attached document discusses each of these options in detail and also has hyperlinks embedded with additional resources in each section. Check it out and decide which couse of action is best for your family. 

Transfer of Rights

Connect the Dots expo - old flyer

Guide to early transitions in TX

The Student-Centered Transitions Network (SCTN), a technical assistance network of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), developed this guidance document for early childhood transitions. This guide is intended for use by educators and other school professionals in Texas, to support implementation of services for students with, or suspected of having, disabilities. Our hope is that this guide will provide access to reliable information that contributes to improved outcomes for students with disabilities. Included in this guide are requirements, links to resources, and tips for best practices. While you can read the guide from beginning to end, you can also easily find information on certain topics. The table of contents contains links to each section, so you can click on a topic to skip directly to that area. In addition, various resources are linked within each section.

For a glossary of special education terms, please see The Legal Framework Glossary. If you ever have a question, concern, comment, or suggestion, or find a broken link within these documents, please email the Student-Centered Transitions Network at sctn@shsu.edu

A Guide to Early Transitions in Texas

Resources for undocumented immigrants

The mission for this website is to provide up-to-date information and resources to undocumented students, their families, and allies (including educators, counselors, and administrators). They post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system while undocumented, information on how to apply for DACA, key upcoming immigration-related events, news on immigration policies, and much more. Most importantly, they want to provide a sense of community to our diverse group of readers.

With over 1.6 million views, hundreds of resources shared, over 100 schools and organizations, sharing our work with their networks, and over 50 guest contributors, My Undocumented Life has become one of the largest online platforms serving undocumented community members across the country since 2011.

Background of the Creator:

My name is Carolina and I created this online platform in 2011. Having navigated the educational system as an undocumented student I faced multiple challenges. Thankfully, I had a community to support me along the way. I created My Undocumented Life as a way to give back and provide support to fellow undocumented students. I am happy to say that since 2011, My Undocumented Life has reached over one million views as we continue to grow thanks to our loyal readers and passionate team of guest contributors.

My personal background: I grew up undocumented in the United States since the age of twelve. I navigated middle school, high school, college, and three years of graduate school as an undocumented student. I recently completed my PhD from Harvard University.

Check out this great resource at the link below!

https://mydocumentedlife.org/

 Navigate Life in Texa

Navigate Life Texas (Avancemos Juntos Texas) is a new website that was created by a task force that is a part of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It was designed by parents for parents of children living life with a disability or chronic health care needs, but can also help caregivers, clinicians, professionals, and support groups.

Do you find yourself spending hours looking for services and ways to connect with other families who share similar experiences, community resources, charitable organizations, etc. and wondered why everything is not in one place? Well, wonder no more. 

The Navigate Life Texas website is designed to offer support, inspiration and links to services available. Here you will find videos, blog articles and regional pages with links to services, parent groups, charitable organizations, online forums and much, much more!

Want to know what is happening in your local community or other parts of the state? You are in the right place. 

https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en

What will i do with my life

Wondering what to do with your life? Wondering which endorsement cluster to take in high school? Not sure if the career you are working for will pay enough money to support your lifestyle wants & needs? If you answered yes to any of these questions the following website is for YOU!

Texas Reality Check has been designed to help guide middle school and high school students in answering these difficult questions.  This website is a great tool with "real life" examples which are tied to the endorsement clusters, so it could help you choose or reinforce your path!

Check it out!!

http://www.texasrealitycheck.com/

• Wondering what to do with your life? Wondering which endorsement cluster to take in high school? Not sure if the career you are working for will pay enough money to support your lifestyle wants & needs? If you answered yes to any of these questions the following website is for YOU!
  Texas Reality Check has been designed to help guide middle school and high school students in answering these difficult questions.  This website is a great tool with "real life" examples which are tied to the endorsement clusters, so it could help you choose or reinforce your path!
  Check it out!!
  http://www.texasrealitycheck.com/

Higher Education Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities
https://www.peaster.net/cms/lib/TX01000798/Centricity/Domain/3/Higher-Education-Resource-Guide-English.pdf

Now more than ever, students with disabilities have access to educational supports, accommodations and resources that assist them in continuing their education beyond high school and in preparation for a career.  

 The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities designed the attached guide for students with disabilities.  It includes information for parents, teachers, counselors, vocational and transition staff.  Each section of this guide is broken into subtopics that provide tips to help you prepare for higher education and website links where you can find more information.

 It is our hope that this guide will make it easier for students with disabilities to find and connect with resources that can assist in planning for their future and obtain the education that supports each student's employment goals.

Local Resource Finder

The attached link is a useful tool for students with various disabilities. You can simply put in your zip code and it will give you resources for all types of needs.

https://www.auntbertha.com/

Legal Framework

This website encompasses all of the Legal Framework pertaining to Special Education.  It is a valuable resource that is updated on a regular basis as the laws, guidelines and best practices within Special Education change.  The website provides you with a template that summarizes state and federal requirements for special education by topic.  It is a statewide leadership project in which the Texas Education Agency (TEA) partners with the Region 18 Education Service Center. 

Legal Framework

Winning in College: A Guide for Students with Disabilities

EDsmart.org has created a guide to help students with disabilities make the transition fomr high school to college.  The guide covers topics such as transitioning into college, rights of students with disabilities, disability documentation, scholarships, choosing the right school, and many other helpful resources for students with disabilities.

 Please see the attached link to their website for additional information and guidance. :)

https://www.edsmart.org/students-with-disabilities-college-guide/

Affordable Colleges Online

With more adaptive technologies and progressive legislature, prospective college students with disabilities have countless resources available to make the transition to higher education less stressful. Affordable Colleges Online just updated their College Resources for Students with Disabilities guidebook, and you can see the guide here:

https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/resources-for-students-with-disabilities/

Affordable Colleges Online also created a complementary guide to scholarships and financial aid for students with disabilities to help students and their families better understand the vast number of financial aid options available to them. Key elements of the guide include:

- A comprehensive review of all of the scholarships available, listed by disability

- Amounts awarded and deadlines for each scholarship

- Debt-forgiveness options for those who acquired a disability post-graduation

You can find this guidebook here:  

http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/affordable-colleges-for-students-with-disabilities/

My possibilities NEW

When you graduate from high school as a student with a disability, and college just isn't for you, you have to check out My Possibilities!!!  The are located just up the road from Sunnyvale off of 1-90 in Plano, and offer some WONDERDUL well rounded programs for adult students 18+ serving a wide range of disabilities. Want to take some vocational classes? Just want to hang out and socialize with your peers? Need a safe enviroment to exercise and receive nutritional support? Only feel comfortable learning and attending classes online? My Possibilities has you covered for all of those things and MORE! Check out the attached flyer and schedule an onsite visit to go check out what the fun is all about!

 My Possibilities

Disability is Natural

I was recently introduced to a website that I JUST LOVE!!!  It is an "eye-opening" website that discusses a variety of ways that each one of us can help make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.  We need to revolutionize our way of thinking!  

 The following quote was part of a 2 page article called, "Revolutionary Common Sense and New Ways of Thinking" that I received via their online newsletter.  I think it makes a profound statement.

Expert Wisdom 

The True Experts - people with disabilities - have taught me that others' Words, Attitudes, and Actions have a GREATER impact on their lives than the actual disability they live with.  Therefore, positive changes in our words, attitudes, and actions can generate positive changes in the lives of the people we care about.  ~ Kathie Snow

Check out their website for the rest of the article and more insight into redefining disability.

https://www.disabilityisnatural.com/

Career Resources for Individuals with Disabilities

Now more than ever, the job market is more and more accommodating for those with disabilities. While a job search can feel daunting, finding a fulfilling position is really just a matter of playing to a student’s strengths. Since landing a job can be intimidating, I would love to share a guide with you that is a great resource. 

 The guide below covers how to find a job that is a good fit, how to work through challenges and rights with employers, how to find jobs that can accommodate individuals with disabilities, and how to disclose a disability.

 I hope this resource assists you on your career journey!

https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/career-resource-center/careers-for-disabilities-abilities/

ourstory

A disability awareness program that breaks down barriers and fosters compassion.

We are three allied health professionals with a passion for spreading awareness and compassion for people with differences and disabilities. With almost five decades of experience between us in the areas of speech and physical therapy, we have heard countless stories of patients and families navigating their not-so-inclusive environment in school, the workplace, and out in the community.

It is our mission to break down the barriers that exist for those with disabilities and shed light on the positive impact of inclusion, ignite compassion, and foster awareness of the unique abilities of others.

Check out their unique website to learn more about how they are spreading awareness to the world.

https://tobelikeme.org/

If you are served under the Special Education Umbrella you can still get your drivers license! Please see the attached flyer about a program that is customized for students who receive SPED services and support while in high school. I can personally attest to the success of this program in our district. Check it out!

Special Education Friendly Drivers Education Program

Careers & Degrees in Healthcare - *New*

https://www.edumed.org/resources/students-with-disabilities/

If you are interested in a career or degree in healthcare, and have a disability, click below to learn about disability rights and disclosure, find key resources, and read how the right school and employer can make a huge difference for you.

Resources and Support for College Students with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, or Dyscalculia

Whether entering trade school or earning your master’s, higher education poses a number of unique challenges. Students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia face many of those same challenges, and sometimes even more. The purpose of this guide is to increase understanding of and awareness for college students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia, and provide resources and expert insight they can use to help them find success.

https://www.edumed.org/resources/college-students-with-dyslexia/

Resources for students with Visual disabilities

To help students with vision loss or impairment, colleges, non-profits, and private companies have a number of scholarships and resources available. Find more than 40 technological, career, and financial ways to pay for and succeed in college.

https://www.edumed.org/financial-aid/visual-disability-scholarships-resources/

ThinkCollege.net

Are you a student with an Intellectual Disability?  YOU CAN STILL GO TO COLLEGE!!! Check out thinkcollege.net

You can easily search by state and location! Then you can choose based on what career path you are interested in. There are TONS of free resources there for YOU!!

Think College is a national initiative dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving research and practice in inclusive higher education for students with intellectual disability. It is based at the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston.

https://thinkcollege.net/

https://r10brownbag.glideapp.io/

 Learning Disability Transition Support

The transition from high school student to college student should be exciting, however, that transition isn’t always easy for students with learning disabilities as they may feel more anxious about this big change than other students do.

The team at Best Value Schools has created this guide to help prospective students who suffer from a learning disability gain insight into the variety of resources available to them to make their college experience more enjoyable — you can check it out below:

https://www.bestvalueschools.com/guide-for-students-with-learning-disabilities/

How to Teach Children About Disabilities and Inclusion

https://onlinegrad.baylor.edu/resources/teaching-children-disabilities-inclusion

Baylor University has shared a resource with me titled, "How to Teach Children About Disabilities and Inclusion". This article discusses teaching youth to share and accept others' differences and the importance of building an inclusive culture within the classroom and beyond. The resource outlines age-appropriate ways to teach children about disabilities and strategies for fostering empathy and understanding in a school or social environment. Check it out!

Region 10  Resources

Region 10 has created the attached documents for parents and students with direct links to Transition related materials.

Parent resources

Student resources

https://www.sunnyvaleisd.com/cms/lib3/TX01001155/Centricity/Domain/1015/R10%20Parent%20Transition%20Support.png 

https://www.sunnyvaleisd.com/cms/lib3/TX01001155/Centricity/Domain/1015/R10%20Student%20Transition%20Support.png 

TEA and the Texas Transition Network just released a new document which lists the specific transition related tasks that children with disabilities should learn and be exposed to from age 3-22.  I hear parents often ask, "What can I do now when my child is only 5 years old", etc? This document clearly answers those questions throughout all different stages of age and development and has clickable links which I love.

Check it out!

Transition Checklist

https://www.sunnyvaleisd.com/cms/lib3/TX01001155/Centricity/Domain/1015/Next%20Steps%20to%20Independence%20Skills%20and%20Strategies%20Checklist%20age%203-22.pdf

How to renew your Medicaid benefits

https://www.sunnyvaleisd.com/cms/lib3/TX01001155/Centricity/Domain/1015/Renew%20your%20Benefits%20-%20Medicaid%20flyer.pdf