"Growing recognition of the dismal post-school outcomes of many youths with disabilities, combined with recent policy developments, is gradually leading to a more consumer-oriented education and service delivery paradigm based on student ability, aptitude, and self-determination.  According to this perspective, transition planning is not an add-on activity for students with disabilities when they reach the age of 16, but rather a foundation from which programs and activities are developed – as has historically been the case for college-bound students."

Paula D. Kohler
Taxonomy for Transition Programming:Linking Research and Practice, Univ. of Illinois, Transition Research Inst., 1996

What is Transition Planning?

Transition planning is the development of programs and instructional activities based upon 1) students’ post-school goals, and 2) driven by individual needs, interests and preferences. Transition planning creates the foundation from which a student’s educational programming and activities are developed to best ensure they reach the desired post-school outcomes. For students with disabilities, transition planning is an integral and critical part of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) plan process. In the state of Illinois, transition planning begins when the students is 14 ½ years of age.

Best practice in transition planning involves programs and instructional activities that address student needs in moving from school to post school environments such as work environments, living in one’s community, social and interpersonal networks and other areas that impact a student’s overall quality of life.

Transition Parent Resource Manual

1- Transition Overview & Timeline
An overview of transition planning as well as a timeline for parents of children with a disability. Included is a list of suggested transition activities starting in elementary school and going through transition/age 18+. 

2 - PUNS
Information on Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) and Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU). 

3 - Respite Resources
Information about respite care as well as a variety of respite care resources. 

4 - Recreation Programs & Summer Camps
Information on recreational programs, leisure activities, Special Olympics, social opportunities, and summer camps. It also includes a list of questions to consider when selecting an opportunity. 

5 - Rehabilitation Services and Vocational
Information on Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Department of Human Services (DHS), Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP), vocational support services & resources, and job coaching support & resources. 

6 - Training & Education
Information on training and educational opportunities for transition age (18+ years) individuals. This section also includes resources to programs and questions to consider when searching for a post-secondary training or educational opportunity.

7 - Financial Assistance Resources including SSI, SSDI, WIPA
Information on financial assistance, working while disabled, and how earnings impact social security benefits. It also contains a social security resource list including information on Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance).

8 - Medical, Medicaid & Medicare Information
Information on medical insurance coverage, insurance resources, Medicaid & Medicare, and health benefits for workers with disabilities. 

9 - Legal Information
Information on guardianship, Power of Attorney, wills & trusts, and state ID cards. It also contains resources for legal and financial planning. 

10 - Day Program Services, Questions to Consider, Agency List
Outline of the different types of day programs, questions to consider when visiting a day program, and a list of North Shore agencies. 

11- Residential Services & Housing Options
Information about the different types of residential services as well as questions to consider when interviewing residential housing options. 

12 - Transportation Services
Information on transportation services as well as transportation that can be obtained through township programs. 

13 - Mental Health Resources
A list of mental health resources that target crisis intervention, prevention, and ongoing treatment for individuals and families.

14 - Family Support
Resources available to families of individuals with a disability.

15 - Behavioral Supports
A list of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) clinics and in-home therapy providers. It also includes questions to consider when interviewing a provider.

16 - Build A Day/Future Planning
Questions to consider when planning for your child’s future and what their day may be like after age 21. 

17 - Apps
A list of free and paid apps for tweens, teens, and young adults that supports independence.  

18 - Acronyms, Definitions, Abbreviations
Common abbreviations and acronyms for words and phrases commonly used in special education. This section also contains information from the Illinois Department of Human Services. 

What are the essential components of transition?

In recent years a number of approaches have been set forth as best practice in the field of transition planning. In her work, Taxonomy for Transition Planning, Paula Kohler sets forth a comprehensive list of identified transition practices and a conceptual model, or framework, for those activities that have been comprehensively researched and socially validated. Within each of the five interconnected areas of the framework are specific activities that will have positive impact on the overall effectiveness of the transition planning process.

Transition Parent Resource Manual

1- Transition Overview & Timeline
An overview of transition planning as well as a timeline for parents of children with a disability. Included is a list of suggested transition activities starting in elementary school and going through transition/age 18+. 

2 - PUNS
Information on Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) and Community Alternatives Unlimited (CAU). 

3 - Respite Resources
Information about respite care as well as a variety of respite care resources. 

4 - Recreation Programs & Summer Camps
Information on recreational programs, leisure activities, Special Olympics, social opportunities, and summer camps. It also includes a list of questions to consider when selecting an opportunity. 

5 - Rehabilitation Services and Vocational
Information on Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Department of Human Services (DHS), Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP), vocational support services & resources, and job coaching support & resources. 

6 - Training & Education
Information on training and educational opportunities for transition age (18+ years) individuals. This section also includes resources to programs and questions to consider when searching for a post-secondary training or educational opportunity.

7 - Financial Assistance Resources including SSI, SSDI, WIPA
Information on financial assistance, working while disabled, and how earnings impact social security benefits. It also contains a social security resource list including information on Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance).

8 - Medical, Medicaid & Medicare Information
Information on medical insurance coverage, insurance resources, Medicaid & Medicare, and health benefits for workers with disabilities. 

9 - Legal Information
Information on guardianship, Power of Attorney, wills & trusts, and state ID cards. It also contains resources for legal and financial planning. 

10 - Day Program Services, Questions to Consider, Agency List
Outline of the different types of day programs, questions to consider when visiting a day program, and a list of North Shore agencies. 

11- Residential Services & Housing Options
Information about the different types of residential services as well as questions to consider when interviewing residential housing options. 

12 - Transportation Services
Information on transportation services as well as transportation that can be obtained through township programs. 

13 - Mental Health Resources
A list of mental health resources that target crisis intervention, prevention, and ongoing treatment for individuals and families.

14 - Family Support
Resources available to families of individuals with a disability.

15 - Behavioral Supports
A list of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) clinics and in-home therapy providers. It also includes questions to consider when interviewing a provider.

16 - Build A Day/Future Planning
Questions to consider when planning for your child’s future and what their day may be like after age 21. 

17 - Apps
A list of free and paid apps for tweens, teens, and young adults that supports independence.  

18 - Acronyms, Definitions, Abbreviations
Common abbreviations and acronyms for words and phrases commonly used in special education. This section also contains information from the Illinois Department of Human Services.