For students with disabilities and their families, the day-to-day issues and concerns often take precedence. But planning for the future is just as - if not more - important. After all, why does a student with disabilities receive services and supports if not to be prepared for life. Questions like: What will my son or daughter do after high school? Will he be able to go to college? Will she be able to get a job? Will she be able to live on her own?

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA") this is called "transition services." You could argue that transition services is the whole point of the IDEA. One of the main purposes of the IDEA is:

"To ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living." 20 U.S.C. § 1400(d)(1)(A)

The IDEA requires schools to ensure that students with disabilities have services and supports in their IEPs to help them transition to further education, employment and independent living.

But how can you tell whether the school is providing the services your child needs. Fortunately there are resources available and ways to make sure your child gets appropriate transition services.

I have included a link to a helpful presentation on Transition here.