Rehabilitation Services for Transition Age Youth with Disabilities: Theory and Practice

Catalog description

Stark educational and employment disparities exist between youth and young adults with disabilities and their typically developing peers. Difficulty with obtaining and maintaining employment post-high school poses a threat to lifelong earnings and self-sufficiency. This course is intended for students who plan to work as a human services professional who supports these youth and young adults as they transition from high school to employment and educational opportunities. Students in this course will develop the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to understand and practice effective strategies to work with transition age youth with disabilities (14-24 years) in different rehabilitation settings including, but not limited to: vocational rehabilitation (SVR) systems, career and technical education, and/or educational settings. This course will incorporate perspectives and legislation from special education and career and technical education to provide an understanding of the requirements and standards for transition and employment services for youth and young adults with disabilities. Developmental models of career, self-determination, independent living, and social maturation will be provided as context for the material. In this course, students will be exposed to current issues and topics that affect service delivery for this population in different settings. The course will also address topics pertaining to case management practices, policies and procedures involved with client service delivery. In this course students will gain an understanding of the historical context and development of transition services, including supported employment, rehabilitation philosophy, and approach to transition. Students will learn about the roles and functions of professionals supporting transition age youth, methods for engaging youth/young adults and their families as well as models and evidence based practices in transition services and how to use person-centered planning. We will also cover topics related to case management practices, relevant legislative mandates; policies and practices guiding service delivery.