The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.
The following resources may be useful in helping you to identify, plan for and achieve your postsecondary training and vocational goals.
The mission of the Center is to provide services that enable Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve suitable employment and independence. The Center is a division of the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).
The Community Based Work Transition Program is designed to provide a positive beginning in the world of work for students in special education during their last two years of high school. It is a cooperative effort between participating local school districts, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Kentucky Department for the Blind, and HDI.
The mission of Career and Technical Education is to assist schools in providing students with skills necessary for a successful transition to postsecondary education or work and a desire for life-long learning in a global society.
The Kentucky Adult Education Act passed by the 2000 General Assembly created a partnership with the Council on Postsecondary Education, increased funding and set the stage for dramatic improvements in the educational status of adult Kentuckians who lack a high school diploma, function at low levels of literacy or want to learn English.
The Kentucky Office for the Blind has consolidated services with the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation effective October 1, 2018.
NCWD/Youth works to ensure that transition age youth are provided full access to high quality services in integrated settings to gain education, employment and independent living.
The mission of the OCTE is to develop a versatile individual by providing technical education and skills training in a safe environment. OCTE’s goals include providing technical skills training to secondary students that leads to successful post high school transition, and enhancing career exploration options for secondary students.
The United States Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) seeks to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities by expanding access to training, education, employment supports, assistive technology, integrated employment, entrepreneurial development, and small-business opportunities. The agency also builds partnerships with employers and state and local agencies to increase awareness of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, and to facilitate the use of effective strategies.
The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation assists Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve suitable employment and independence.
Supported employment is designed to promote personalized employment opportunities for people with disabilities when they need support to: discover personal interests and contributions, find or negotiate a job that fits things they like to do and do well, become established as valued employees; and pursue job advancements.
Technical Assistance Centers
The following websites provide resources for local education agencies, parents and students, and offer a wealth of helpful information including knowledge development, evidence-based strategies/interventions/practices, and many other resources to help facilitate the successful transition of students with disabilities from school to post-school activities.
The Human Development Institute is Kentucky’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. We focus our efforts on improving lifelong opportunities and services for individuals with disabilities, their families and the community. HDI’s research, training and service projects, address a wide range of topics and issues in areas such as early childhood, education and alternate assessment, transition across the lifespan, employment, community living, and personnel preparation.
KYPSO develops and oversees the administration of the Kentucky Post School Outcome Study, a longitudinal investigation of the post school outcomes of Kentucky youth with educational disabilities during the final year of high school and one year after high school exit. The goal of the KYPSO is to collect data related to student post school plans and outcomes for the purpose of determining best transition practices.
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.
NCLD-Youth is a youth-led resource, information, and training center for youth and emerging leaders with developmental disabilities. The project focuses on the five areas of youth development: learning, connecting, thriving, working, and leading.
Life is full of transitions, and one of the more remarkable ones occurs when we get ready to leave high school and go out in the world as young adults. When the student has a disability, it's especially helpful to plan ahead for that transition. Resources for parents, students and professionals.
NTACT assists states in building capacity to support and improve transition planning, services, and outcomes for youth with disabilities.
Please email the Transition Education Unit if
you have any questions.