Transitions to employment for persons with disabilities

Abstract

This study explores in detail what kind of transition programmes, schools at secondary level, special schools, and employment and service agencies at local level, are providing for students with disabilities. Interviews were conducted in order for the authors to identify the elements which lead to successful transitions to work. During the data collection, persons with disabilities, facilitators, guidance teachers, transitions co-ordinators, job coaches, ability promoters, and employers were interviewed. Case studies were conducted, where focus groups discussions were held. During a typical discussion, the authors would meet with a person with disability, a job coach or an ability promoter, a support worker, and the parents, for the purpose of discussing the person with disability's transition to employment. The findings show that schools at secondary level are not conducting a transition programmes to employment for students with disabilities. Special schools are offering a type of transition program, which takes place when the students reach their final year at school. The employment and service agencies, which were contacted are currently carrying out transition programmes for some students. From the intonation, which was retrieved, the authors suggest transition-planning guides, which can be used to enable successful transitions to employment to happen.