PA Transition Tidbits

Assistive technology (AT) is crucial in helping students with disabilities transition from high school to post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that transition planning, which must begin by age 14 in PA, includes consideration of AT needs in the Individualized Education Program (IEP). This ensures that students are equipped with the necessary tools for success beyond high school.

Contrary to the misconception that AT is no longer needed after high school, it often becomes even more critical in new environments. Transition plans must address how AT devices and services will be transferred and implemented in post-secondary settings. Collaboration with agencies responsible for transition services ensures continuity and support.

In addition to specialized AT devices, accessibility features built into everyday "off-the-shelf" technology should also be considered. Many modern devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, come equipped with features like screen readers, voice-to-text, and magnification tools that can be incredibly beneficial for students with disabilities. These built-in features offer cost-effective, readily available solutions that can support students in various settings, making technology more accessible, reducing the need for additional specialized equipment, and enhancing their ability to adapt using familiar technology.

Research shows that students who continue to use AT in post-secondary settings experience improved outcomes, including higher enrollment in higher education, better academic performance, positive vocational results, and enhanced independent living skills. The guidance in the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) in Transition emphasizes the importance of self-determination and advocacy, highlighting that students skilled in using and advocating for their AT needs are more likely to succeed.

In summary, integrating AT into secondary transition planning is not only a legal requirement but also a vital step in empowering students with disabilities. By ensuring AT devices and services, including accessible off-the-shelf devices, are considered and supported, educators and IEP teams can significantly enhance students' post-secondary success and opportunities.

Looking for tools to support assistive technology planning?

Take a look at these resources to support teams for planning with AT

• Guiding Document Assistive Technology in Transition

• Teacher Resource Guide on Transition

• Framing a Future | The Bridge School

The FCTD Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology and Transition Planning includes the following sections:

► An Introduction to Transition Planning and Assistive Technology

► How Make a Successful Transition with Your Assistive Technology

► Laws Governing Accommodations and Transition in Birth-12 & Postsecondary Settings

► Glossary of AT and Transition Terms

► Additional AT and Transition Resources

Take a look at the attached file!

Interested in learning more about how to consider assistive technology in an IEP meeting? Take a look at this guide for ideas!

Assistive Technology is an important part of adapting to life’s challenges, and sometimes it takes trial and error to figure out what types of assistive tech make life easier. Trial and error is part of the transition journey. If you or your young adults are looking to better understand the kinds of assistive tech that are available, please check out PATTAN’s Technology Adventure for Students with Vision and Hearing Needs. This is a great event for youth to attend, both to explore their options and meet other youth wrestling with the same things.

In the vein of connecting with people in the same skin, Youth Engagement Specialist for the West, Hunter Steinitz just returned from a national conference for people with her same skin condition in Albuquerque, NM. She presented on the challenges of transitioning into independence with Ichthyosis, and the nuances of dealing with difficult people. She also got to connect with people both young and old who share a common struggle. It is a life changing experience, connecting with people who are on the same journey, you find friends and mentors, new approaches and things to try. That is the heart of transition, leaning on community networks to explore all the options.

PaTTAN Youth Engagement Specialists Natasha Fletcher (East) and Hayley Penn (Central) recently had the opportunity to engage with young women who have been found delinquent by the courts at the North Central Secure Treatment Facility (NCSTF) in Danville, representing IU17. The NCSTF operates under the Department of Human Services (DHS) Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services.

During a full day of sessions, they focused on the crucial topics of self-advocacy and self-determination. They highlighted that, as silly as it may seem, being able to return an incorrect order at McDonald's and assert that it isn't what you ordered is a skill that parallels the ability to speak up and advocate for oneself in more significant situations, such as voicing concerns about one's treatment plan and goals for reentering society.

Their goal was to empower these young women by providing them with the skills and confidence needed to navigate their lives more effectively, fostering a sense of agency and independence. The specialists emphasized the importance of understanding and voicing one's own needs, making informed decisions, and taking control of their futures. This initiative is part of a broader effort to support the rehabilitation and personal growth of youth within the juvenile justice system.

Natasha Fletcher from the East Office is actively seeking opportunities to speak, engage, or present to youth in the juvenile system, those in foster care, and those experiencing homelessness statewide. If you would like to connect with her for potential collaboration or to discuss next steps, please send an email to nfletcher@pattan.net

Are you 18-24 years old and have a disability? We want to hear from you!

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is working with Mathematica, an independent research company, to conduct a survey on young adults with disabilities. Mathematica is looking for volunteers to take a quick, 10-minute survey to help us understand the supports and programs available to you.

Participation is voluntary, and you can skip questions or stop the survey at any time.

Eligibility:

Ages 18-24

Identify as having a disability or special need

Why Participate?

Your input will help shape better policies and programs for young adults with disabilities and improve access to key services.

Complete the survey and receive a $15 electronic gift card!

Share this opportunity with your friends! You can list up to five friends and we’ll contact them to do the survey and receive a gift card too.

To learn more and sign up, contact the study team at ydisabilitysurvey@mathematica-mpr.com. If you work with youth with disabilities, please help us share this opportunity to participate in important research.

Interested in learning more about AT resources for school aged youth? Check out the PaTTAN AT website for learning, resources, and way to trial equipment. The Short Term Loan (STL) Program provides LEAs with devices to assess the assistive technology needs of students with disabilities. AT kit categories include: augmentative and alternative communication, blindness/visual impairment, computer access, deaf/hard of hearing/deafblind, switch access/environmental access, and technology for print/reading/writing support.

Also, through a cooperative arrangement between the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13, the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, bid pricing on various assistive technology products for students with disabilities has been secured for use by school districts, intermediate units, vocational technical schools, state approved private schools, and state system of higher education (SSHE) institutions. This program is referred to as the Assistive Technology Purchasing Program (ATPP).

For additional information and / or participation in the ATPP please access the link HERE.

Need assistive technology but not sure how you’ll pay for it? That’s PATF's job. They know the funding resources in Pennsylvania better than anyone else, and will work with you until you get what you need. [ Read Who They Are ]

PATF Helps Pennsylvanians of:

• All Ages
• All Income Levels
• All Disabilities and Health Conditions
• All Communities
• All Cultural Backgrounds

TechOWL is Pennsylvania’s designated Assistive Technology Act Program. TechOWL is one of 56 programs in the nation.

TechOWL can help you get assistive technology, explore assistive technology, and learn about assistive technology.

Looking for a place where you can Connect, Collect, & Contribute

to all things secondary transition?

Connect with people from across our state to collect

resources, share events and contribute stories about positive post-school outcomes!

Click here to create an account and login to join our PA Secondary Transition- Public Square.

Are you looking to learn more information about transition?

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides information, tools, and supports to assist multiple stakeholders to provide effective services and instruction for students and out-of-school youth with disabilities.

Check out their Training Resource Library.

If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!

Join us for the PaTTAN Technology Adventure for Students with Vision & Hearing Needs -- connecting students, families, education professionals and assistive technology (AT) representatives at your local PaTTAN office. No need to travel! Are you wondering how to find and pay for assistive technology before and after graduation? Come explore new technology and chat with vendors, learn about new trends, and ask any questions you may have. Try out the latest assistive technology and find what works best for each student. Join our "Q&A" sessions to get the answers to your questions about assistive technology and secondary transition; participate in round table discussions with local transition professionals so you can learn about the supports available for students after graduation, including assistive technology. Don't miss this chance to embark on this adventure, grow your skills, learn, and explore together right in your own community. See you there!

Objectives

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify features of software and applications that provide students with sensory impairments (visual impairments, deaf/hard of hearing, deaf-blind) access to all environments and meet individual goals.
• Describe 3 feature matching needs (input or output) in specific AT that you learned about during the training.
• Identify 3 interagency supports available to students/families following graduation to support their continued use of AT as they transition out of public education.

Target Audience

Families/guardians and students with visual impairments, deaf/hard of hearing, and deaf-blindness, teachers of students with visual impairments, teachers of students who are deaf/hard of hearing, certified orientation & mobility specialists, educational audiologists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, special educators, general education teachers, early intervention service providers, developmental specialists, deaf-blind interveners, materials specialists, educational interpreters, assistive technology consultants, paraprofessionals, school psychologists, service coordinators, vocational rehabilitation professionals, administrators.

09/25/2024 Location: PaTTAN - WEST Registration: OPEN

10/22/2024 Location: PaTTAN - EAST Registration: OPEN

10/23/2024 Location: PaTTAN - CENTRAL Registration: OPEN

Upcoming Training:

A ROADMAP TO EFFECTIVE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (Sep-Jan): This webinar series is intended to support educational leaders in developing and/or improving assistive technology services by offering a practical roadmap to effective assistive technology services.

• Sep 9 & 23 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

• Oct 7 & 21 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

• Nov 4 & 18 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

• Dec 2 & 16 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

• Jan 13, 2025 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

• Jan 27 @ 12:00-1:00 PM

POWER: AAC BLENDED-LEARNING SERIES (Sep-Apr): asynchronous work is completed in Schoology before each of the live webinars scheduled on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 3:00-4:00 pm

• Modules 1-6 live training dates: Sep 11, Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11
• Modules 7-12 live training dates: Jan 8, Feb 12, Mar 12, Apr 9

Note: Modules 1-12 are also available as an on-demand resource on the PaTTAN Site!

Are you looking for transition events across PA?

Don't forget to check the events calendar to stay up to date on all of the great events happening in PA and nationally related to secondary transition!

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a group of various stakeholders from across Pennsylvania who work collaboratively to ensure appropriate transition outcomes for Pennsylvania youth and young adults.

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a state leadership team consisting of representative from: the State Departments of Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Human Services; Various Serving Agencies, Young Adults, Parent Organizations, Advocates, Higher Education, and Employers.

The shared vision and common goals of the Pennsylvania Community on Transition is achieved when all PA youth and young adults with disabilities:

• Successfully transition to the role of productive and participating adult citizens
• Are empowered to recognize their talents, strengths, and voice
• Have equal access to resources that will promote their full participation in the communities of their choice.

Email: pasecondarytransition@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pasecondarytransition.com/
Phone: 4128266878
Twitter: @hmangiskuntz