What is a transition plan?
A transition plan is a written document that reflects outcomes developed
collaboratively in response to the specific strengths and needs of the student
in relation to a transition phase in the student’s life. Transition planning
assists in ensuring successful entry into school, supports students to remain
in school, and at the end of their public schooling, ensures that a plan is in
place for taking the “next step” in their lives. The needs cover a wide range
of programming and services such as supporting students’ entry to public
school, post-high school options, housing, leisure, independent living, and
in-school transitioning. A transition plan is incorporated into the student’s
individualized program plan (IPP). The responsibility for the development
of an individualized transition plan is shared among all members of the
student’s program planning team. If a student does not have an
individualized program plan, the transition plan will be developed as per
Policy 2.2 of the Special Education Policy Manual (1996) (Appendix A).
See Appendixes D and E for sample forms.
Why is transition planning necessary?
Governments (federal, provincial, and territorial) continue to identify the
inequality of opportunities for young people with disabilities entering the
workforce to maintain employment, and to receive equitable treatment. In
Future Directions to Address Disability Issues for the Government of Canada:
Working Together for Full Citizenship (1999), it is acknowledged that “Young
people with disabilities … face high unemployment rates and are more often
forced to work part-time and for lower pay than other young Canadians.
The result is that there is a concentration of persons with disabilities at the
bottom of the income scale. More than half of persons living with disabilities
have an individual income of less than $15,000 a year. This income disparity
marginalizes this group and adds yet another challenge to individuals who are
overcoming barriers to participate in the labour force.”
A shift towards greater co-operation among all levels of government and
agencies to address ability/disability issues is reflected in the federalprovincial-territorial report entitled In Unison: A Canadian Approach to
Disability Issues (1998). Integrated policies and enhanced delivery of services
will result as departments and agencies continue to collaborate.
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TRANSITION PLANNING FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
THE EARLY YEARS THROUGH TO ADULT LIFE