Brochure for Families and Students with IEPs: Self Determination
Technical Assistance Advisory SPED 2016-2: Promoting Student Self-Determination to Improve Student Outcomes
District Self-Assessment: Promoting Student Self-Determination
Easter Seals Massachusetts Children & Young Adults
AIR Self-Determination ScaleThis scale produces a profile of the student's level of self-determination, identifies areas of strength and areas needing improvement, and identifies specific educational goals that can be incorporated into the student's IEP.
ARC Self-Determination ScaleThis scale assesses the self-determination strengths and weaknesses of adolescents with disabilities, facilitates student involvement in educational planning and instruction to promote self-determination as an educational outcome, and develops self-determination goals and objectives.
I'm Determined Project from the Virginia Department of Education.A comprehensive website with numerous resources for educators, parents, and youth. The I'm Determined project focuses on providing direct instruction, models, and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior. This project facilitates youth, especially those with disabilities, to undertake a measure of control in their lives, helping to set and steer the course rather than remaining the silent passenger.
YASA (Youth As Self Advocates) is a national, grassroots project created by youth with disabilities for youth.
National Gateway to Self DeterminationThis site is a national clearinghouse for resources, training, and information on promoting self-determination.
Partners for Youth with Disabilities is an organization that empowers youth with disabilities to reach their full potential by providing mentoring programs, youth development opportunities, and inclusion expertise.
Self-Determination Toolkit, University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Human Development
Student-Directed IEP from the Zarrow Center for Learning Enrichment at the University of Oklahoma
Student Involvement in the IEP Process, a fact sheet from DCDT and the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC).
Brochure for Families and Students with IEPs: Transition Assessment
Technical Assistance Advisory SPED 2014-4: Transition Assessment in the Secondary Transition Planning Process
Massachusetts Postsecondary Transition Planning: Transition Assessments Example Sheet
Arc Self-Determination ScaleThis scale assesses the self-determination strengths and weaknesses of adolescents with disabilities, facilitates student involvement in educational planning and instruction to promote self-determination as an educational outcome, and develops self-determination goals and objectives.
NTACT:C | National Technical Assistance Center on Transition
Transition Coalition: Best Practices in planning for transition
MassCIS Career Information SystemThe Massachusetts Career Information System (MassCIS) is a free online tool to help people explore careers and find the right education or training program once they have made their career decisions. MassCIS offers information on: career assessment and planning, occupations, the labor market, outlook, and educational options.
Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
My Future, My Way: First Steps Toward College. A Workbook for Middle and Junior High School Students
Office of Federal Student Aid, U.S. Office of EducationExplore careers and colleges, learn how to apply for financial aid.
Office of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of EducationThis Education Planning site offers links to resources on finding schools and financial aid.
Resource Guide: Supporting Undocumented YouthThis resource from the U.S. Department of Education offers guidance for success in secondary and postsecondary settings.Topics include tips for secondary school educators, counselors, and other personnel; tips for institutions of higher education; financial aid eligibility; and models from the field.
Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and ResponsibilitiesA publication from the U.S. Department of Education and Office for Civil Rights
Think CollegeThink College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability.
Empower Your Future: Career Readiness Curriculum GuideThis is a life skills, career development, and employability curriculum guide for use by public schools, agencies, nonprofits, and organizations who are committed to enhancing education, employment, and positive outcomes for youth across the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts Career CentersAt career centers, job seekers can access a variety of job assistance services, including working with experienced career counselors, attending workshops and short-term training, developing a resume, writing cover letters, and more.
Massachusetts JobQuestJobQuest is a free online service to connect searchers with jobs in Massachusetts.
School Days to Pay Days: An Employment Planning Guide for Families of Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Apprenticeship ToolkitThis resource from the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy provides information on a series of topical areas around registered apprenticeship and how it can be used to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The intended audiences for this tool kit are service providers, both public and private, who work with young people, including young people with disabilities.
CareerOneStopA national resource to explore careers, and find training and jobs.
Employability Skills FrameworkThis framework, from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, is an online collection of tools and resources designed to share strategies for integrating core employability skills into high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at both the state and federal level.
Fostering Inclusive Volunteering and Service LearningThis guide from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability provides information useful to youth service professionals and others interested in facilitating youth engagement in volunteer activities.
Inclusive Internship Programs: A How-to Guide for EmployersA guide from the federal Office of Disability Employment Policy. Public and private employers of all sizes can reference this guide to learn about the benefits associated with facilitating inclusive internship programs as well as the components to consider when designing, implementing, and evaluating these programs.
Innovation and Opportunity NetworkThe Innovation and Opportunity Network (ION) is designed to support state and local workforce development boards, system professionals, and employers, helping you find the resources you need to successfully implement the vision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. JAN is one of several services provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Its development has been achieved through the collaborative efforts of ODEP, West Virginia University, and private industry throughout North America.
Mi Próximo PasoA Spanish-language career search website from the U.S. Department of Labor
My Next MoveA career search website from the U.S. Department of Labor
National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth
O*NET OnLineThe Occupational Information Network (O*NET), from the U.S. Department of Labor. A comprehensive career exploration website with detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more.
Recruiting, Hiring, Retaining & Promoting People with Disabilities: A Guide for EmployersThis resource guide identifies relevant federal and federally funded resources for employers looking to recruit, hire, retain, and promote people with disabilities. It is designed to answer common questions raised by employers and to identify relevant resources for employers who want additional information on specific topics.
Soft Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success, is a curriculum developed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) focused on teaching "soft" or workforce readiness skills to youth, including youth with disabilities.
The Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN) is a resource for employers seeking to recruit, hire, retain and advance qualified employees with disabilities. It is a service of the Employer T/A Center, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy under a cooperative agreement with The Viscardi Center.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Exploration site for students K – 12
U.S. Department of Labor Disability Employment InitiativeAn extensive federal resource with information for job-seekers, employers, family members, researchers, and policy makers.
WIA is Now WIOA: What the New Bill Means For People with DisabilitiesThis is a brief from the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act website from the U.S. Department of Labor
Brockton Area Transit (BAT)Information on accessible buses, trains, and stations, and paratransit.
Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority ParatransitADA Paratransit service is the door-to-door shared ride transportation for passengers who meet ADA eligibility requirements established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is offered to those individuals whose disability prevents him or her from using CCRTA's accessible fixed route buses.
How to Obtain Housing AssistanceThis reference guide, provided by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is for Massachusetts residents seeking information on housing for low and moderate income families and individuals.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)Known commonly as Fuel Assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides eligible households with help in paying a portion of winter heating bills.
Massachusetts Health ConnectorWebsite for Massachusetts residents seeking healthcare coverage.
Massachusetts Independent Living CentersThese centers provide resources and information to meet the independent living needs of persons with disabilities in Massachusetts.
MassHealthInformation on this healthcare program from the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services.
MBTA Accessibility InformationInformation on accessible buses, trains, and stations, and paratransit.
MBTA's The RideThis service provides door-to-door paratransit service to sixty cities and towns for eligible customers who cannot use subways, buses, or trains due to a physical, mental, or cognitive disability.
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority ParatransitThis service provides a shared-ride, door-to-door van transportation for individuals with disabilities that prevent them from riding the fixed route bus service.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Centralized Waiting ListThe Section 8 housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. This centralized waiting list for Massachusetts is used by 97 Massachusetts housing authorities; all applicant information entered onto this list can be accessed and updated by any and all participating housing authorities.
Worcester Regional Transit Authority ParatransitInformation on paratransit service to seniors and people with disabilities who live in the 37 communities that comprise the WRTA's service area.
Benefits and Insurance for People with Disabilities | USAGovA searchable federal resource with information on Social Security, food and nutrition assistance, home energy and utility assistance, etc.
Disability Services | USAGovA federal guide to connect you to programs, services, and government agencies that provide disability benefits for people with disabilities, including children and Veterans.
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (nadtc)A federally funded project that promotes universal access to transportation for people with disabilities under federal law and beyond by partnering with transportation providers, the disability community and others through the provision of training, technical assistance, applied research, outreach and communication.
Accessible beaches and pools | Mass.govPools have lifts and ramps. Beaches have boardwalks and beach mats. Beach wheelchairs with balloon tires to move across the sand, and floating beach wheelchairs to get into the water.
Department of Conservation & Recreation's Universal Access Program provides outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts State Parks for visitors of all abilities.
Special Olympics Massachusetts provides year-round sports training, athletic competition and other health-related programming for athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout the state.
Friends: Connecting People with Disabilities and Community MembersA manual from the Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC), Institute on Community Integration, at the University of Minnesota, providing concrete strategies for supporting relationships between people with disabilities and other community members.
Disclaimer: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not control, endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in external websites.
Last Updated: December 30, 2022
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149
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