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IPSII Inc. Independence, Productivity, Self Determination, Integration & Inclusion (IPSII)
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One of the things that so important to emphasize is providing opportunities for people to dream, kids and families, and to build on their dreams." What is your dream for your transition age [14-21 yrs.] son or daughter with developmental disabilities? Does it include having your child get a real job after High School.
The benefits of students with disabilities – more role models, a feeling of connectedness to the community and to their peers without disabilities, and an opportunity to develop relationships with more people for their neighborhood who attend the local school.
The difference between learning from your teacher and learning from your peers -- positive role models carry over, incidental learning, deductive learning, peer support, consensual validation of behaviors and positive skills, having something in common with a disability can lead to friendship and bonding. A teacher may be wonderful but there are many more opportunities for learning than are represented merely by the student-teacher relationship.
· Identify and take high school classes, including vocational programs, that relate to the careers of interest;· Make sure that the IEP includes transition plans;· Identify gaps in knowledge or skills that need to be addressed;· Learn to speak about their disability and to describe accommodations that are necessary or helpful; and· Become involved in early work experiences and those emphasizing work-based learning, such as observing people working in a particular job (called job shadowing), volunteering, trying out a job for several hours or days, having an internship, and having a summer job;· Identify transportation options (i.e., how the young person will get to and from the job).
Nick will be graduating from Minneapolis Public Schools in 2006. Nick wants a job. A job that pays ‘real money’. Nick will be learning ‘how to’ seek and maintain employment through our PATHWAYS: THE ROAD TO LEADERSHIP training program in April 2005. When asked what kind of job you want, Nick states, "I like to work to get paid. I don’t want to cook. Wash table, get $100 every day."
Through accommodations in courses and grades, students can learn about subjects they are interested. For example, my son Joseph enjoyed astronomy and through accommodation, he was able to participate in school and graduate with a standard diploma.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The following materials were included in the dissemination materials
TABLE OF CONTENTS o A Futures Planning booklet that is designed for youth with developmental disabilities and their families.o This guide was written in a way that is easy to understand:§ So that people with developmental disabilities who read can read it and use it;§ So that people who advocate for those who cannot read can explain it more easilyIt’s Never Too Early It’s Never Too Late o A facilitator’s guide for Futures PlanningA Guide for Minnesota Parents to the Individualized Education Program o The basics of the IEP Processo Adaptations and accommodation [pages 32-33]Helping Students with Cognitive Disabilities Find and Keep a Job o A technical guide from NICHEYExcerpts from the Partners E-Learning Course o Education [www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/education/o Employment [www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/employment/A Project of National Significance U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services Administration on Developmental Disabilities under provisions of P.L. 106-4 9/30/2004 - 9/30/2007 Project Title: PATHWAYS: The Road to Leadership The project will increase the odds of African-American Youth [13-17 yrs.] with Developmental Disabilities and African American Emerging Leaders [18-30 yrs.] will graduate with a standard diploma and will see and maintain employment. Activities include: · PATHWAYS: The Road to Leadership African American Adults [18-30 yrs] with DDo Preview of some of the concepts in the Partners in Policymaking Leadership®o How to Seek and Maintain Employment· Youth Mentoring, Leadership and YMCA Youth & Government· Web-based information at www.ipsiiinc.como Youth Friendly Web-based Information on Career Paths, Money Management & Healthy Life Style Choices;o Virtual Learning Centero Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities online learning courses§ Inclusive Education§ Making Your Case§ Employmento PATHWAYS Having Fun Page Youth Friendly Websites Where You Will Learn and Have Fun· Outreach to 30 families who have youth with DD and Who Live Within the Minneapolis Empowerment Zoneo "How To Access the General Education Curriculumo "How to Graduate with a Standard Diploma
Contact Information: IPSII Inc. Julie Kenney, MPA Executive Director 6611 Lynwood Blvd. Richfield, Mn. 55423 612.861.3215 www.ipsiiinc.com Julie_Kenney@ksg02.harvard.edu
click HERE to Return to PATHWAY Center
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