SWD can use technology that allows them to fully function with reading demands in class, college and the workforce, yet this technology invalidates reading comprehension scores on tests, holding many bright minds to their disability. Because of of this they are excluded from educational opportunities provided to their peers and their self determination stifled. How can education policy keep up with technology, recognizing... View full idea »

Many youth with disabilities also face health issues/chronic health conditions. Health care transition from the pediatric to the adult health care system is often not addressed with youth and their families. Addressing health, health care transition and health care self-management as part of the transition IEP would be very helpful for youth with health issues. Only someone who is healthy/can manage his/her health condition... View full idea »

A last section of the IEP could simply be one sentence per member of the IEP team (student, parent, regular ed teacher, special ed teacher, LEA, therapist, etc.) that summarizes what that team member will be held accountable for over the life of the IEP.

Yes, many of our kids DO go to college and are successful in that environment. But it's not because they've been provided any services. Most universities and post-secondary education is SERIOUSLY lacking in the services departments. Any post-secondary institution that accepts government money of any kind needs to have available services for all, not just hard copies of notes and extended test time for those with learning... View full idea »

Community Colleges need to expand and develope two year programs for students with disabilities that focus on a skill based cirriculum: life skills for independent living, job preparation, and include options for training for specific types of jobs. Many post secondary programs are expensive. Community colleges allow for affordable programs and greater accessiblity. It also provides youth with a college experience.

Include mandatory transition-related codes in the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) RSA 911 system for youth referrals: source of referral (name school), expected/actual date of graduation/program completion, coord. of IEP Measurable Post-Secondary Goal with VR Employment Goal, Transition Employment Services (i.e., after school employment, summer employment, job coaching).

Colleges and Universities have historically had restrictive access fo people with disabilities. Yet, there would be tremendous benefit for providing routes of access for both the person with the disability and the typical college student and faculty person.

The Hussman Center for Adults with Autism at Towson University is a model program that provides access for individuals with disabilities to enrichment, vocational,... View full idea »

STEM and Magnet programs should have mechanisms to insure that disabled groups are equally included in diverse programming. If they cannot do this STEM and Magnets should be lottery only. Unbalanced profiles of SWD do not fit well with competitive entry matrix criteria. Students may excel in Math or Science while other disability related skills will flatten the SWD profile barring their entry. One of the many reasons... View full idea »

While we shouldn't have to pat our district personnel on the head and say "Good dog!" when they provide our children the APPROPRIATE part of FAPE, it might be nice to give them incentive to do the right thing. Whether this incentive is positive or negative depends on them. But more and more districts are resisting providing the appropriate services, especially to children of the poor and/or uneducated. There are too... View full idea »

Experience leads to inspiration, inspiration leads to motivation, and motivation leads to success. While the IEP provides a platform for students to express their long-term academic and career interests, the IEP alone cannot provide students with the exposure they need to fully understand the broad range of exciting opportunities available in the world. EVERY student should be excited about their future. Let's get the... View full idea »

Special needs students need community based instruction while in high school. They need jobs and job training, recreation and leisure experiences, home living experiences, community participation and post secondary training/learning. They cannot learn this while sitting in a classroom. When I taught for 32 years I used the Enderle-Severson Transition Rating Scale for all of my students as a guide to make sure they were... View full idea »

We need to begin a disability initiative modeled after the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. This university has reached it's goal of creating an all inclusive higher education environment (regardless of the level of your disability-they TRULY have thought of everything). The option of attending a university like the U of I should be available in this country for every student that desires to live independently... View full idea »

AYP should be broken down by disability category. SWD are diverse and outcomes for groups should be better tracked. With IEP's computerized, common codes could easily be disaggregated. TARGETED DATA, YIELDS TARGETED RESPONSE. Cost effective approaches require precision.

Accessible Technology that allows the disabled to perform “tasks that their disability limits” should supersede policy that limits it’s use or considers it’s use invalid. We should treat technology as a prothesis not a crutch, in that we would expect the individual to use it to perform to their potential. With training, many could fully function in school and society, benefiting us all.

SWD should be held to the same... View full idea »

My son recently transitioned out of high school and into adult services and I also work in Employment Services for a adult agency. I feel there is a disconnect between all agencies involved in the transition process. I also feel everyone plays a part in transition NOT working. Schools-no communication with adult agencies, put students with cognitive disabilities into "slot" jobs for 1 hour a week, don't understand adult... View full idea »