October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This month is set aside to recognize the contributions, skills, and talents of workers with disabilities and the value that they bring to the US workforce and economy. Please take a look at this video: NDEAM October 2024. As special education providers we work to provide access to a free appropriate public education for all of our students with their peers. NDEAM is doing the work to provide access to good jobs through their initiative with this year’s theme of “Access to Good Jobs for All.” This is an excellent theme because I believe that as special education providers, we want our students to have access to good jobs with competitive pay, the same as their nondisabled peers. The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) through the US Department of Labor share initiatives, and strategies to continue this work not only this month but continuously. Please take a look at this website: National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is not only working to ensure that our students with disabilities have access to good jobs, but that they are given at or above minimum wage, benefits, and the opportunity to advance as their work colleagues. As colleagues I would like to invite you to take a look at the ODEP’s program area of Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) webpage. This page defines and contains a hub of resources to provide information to increase students' participation in the workforce along with other resources including technical assistance. The ODEP also identified 10 critical areas to increase Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). Again, please take a look at their initiatives: ODEP: Competitive Integrated Employment Initiatives. It my hope that this tip today will bring awareness to some, attention to others, and inspire others towards activism in this work. Also, we would like to recognize and support businesses who employ our students with disabilities. Please complete this form: Survey of Businesses Supporting Our Students.

• https://wisd.zoom.us/j/99008912734?pwd=9GGUDbr0jOWNkX4SRVu5n0uKsVXaLk.1
• Meeting ID: 990 0891 2734
• Passcode: 669019

This Tuesday’s Transition Tip is a review to some and introduction to others. It is important as special education providers/case managers that we create structured and detailed postsecondary transition plans for our students. The Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual is a guide to assist special education staff with creating complaint post-secondary transition plans. This guide contains a table of contents to help locate information quickly. The manual also gives insight on how not only to build a complaint transition plan but a quality transition plan. It includes links, videos, and an appendix to assist. Please take the time to read and review the Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual.

Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual

The WISD Transition Services website has an assessment library with FREE electronic forms/materials. Check it out!

Also the WISD has a lending library of assessment and curricula resources using the WISD Destiny Library.

Don't forget our monthly Countywide Transition Coalition Meeting for Washtenaw County Transition District Designees, WISD teachers, consultants, and service providers is held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 9am-11am at the Teaching and Learning Center.

March 13, 2025 6pm-7:30pm

Hosted by:

Washtenaw Intermediate School District

1819 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor - Vogels B & C

Join us for discussion of the following topics:

• A Household of One
• Assisted Decision Making
• Securing Government Benefits
• Supplementing Government Benefits
• Community & Government Agency Supports & More!

Dates:

• October 8. 2024 9am-11am (at 1819 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 in Seminar 1)
• January 15, 2024 11am-1pm (virtually)
• March 18, 2024 1pm-3pm (at 1819 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 in Seminar 1)

Register via the WISD Workshop Link on the WISD website under staff

Need some assistance writing compliant IEP and appropriate PLAAFP statements and goals? Here is a great opportunity for you to receive training on these topics.

Professional Development you can attend:

· Interactive IEP Training: How to write a compliant IEP

· Creating PLAAFPs and Measurable Goals/Objectives

Collaborative Agency Highlights

Submit your student/staff/program/district Transition Triumphs to Joy Taylor or Kelly Higgins for possible inclusion in future Newsletters.

*When using student photos be sure to included photo release permissions.