The Way to Work

Employment is one of the biggest contributors to quality of life for people with disabilities--and that means well-planned work experiences should be an integral part of transition preparation for every secondary and postsecondary school aged youth. Make that happen with this practical guide, developed to help educators, transition specialists, and employment specialists facilitate individualized, person-centered work experiences and jobs for high school students and young adults with a wide range of disabilities.

Readers will get the specific, ready-to-use guidance they need to

uncover students' strengths, needs, and interests through formal and informal assessmentsrecruit and retain employer partners who gladly host youth in their workplaceshelp students decide when and how to disclose a disability to an employer guide students in advocating effectively for accommodations on the jobsupport students and employers in making the most of work experiencesinvolve families in supporting the work experiencecollaborate with other professionals to develop and sustain work experiencesand much moreTo help with every step of facilitating meaningful employment, readers will get examples of model programs, stories that illustrate what works and doesn't work, more than a dozen photocopiable tools and forms, and end-of-chapter "Learning Labs" with reflection questions and thought-provoking activities.

Teachers and transition specialists will rely on this strategy-filled guidebook to connect students with the early work experiences they really want--and make lifelong career satisfaction the rule, not the exception, for people with disabilities.

Includes helpful tools & forms

Positive Personal ProfileWork Experience/Job Search PlanInventory of Employer's Needs and TasksWork Experience Proposal TemplateYouth Performance Feedback Form Satisfaction Questionnaire for Employers and more