Individualized Career Planning for students with significant support needs utilizing the Discovery and Vocational Profile process,cross-agency collaborative funding and Social Security Work Incentives

Abstract

Nationally, less than 8% of students with a disability exit school with a job, enrollment in post-secondary education, involvement in community recreation and leisure activities, or independent living arrangements [8]. Those students most likely to leave school without skills and supports necessary to work in the community are those with the most significant disabilities. The Individualized Career Planning Model provides a transition planning template for these students. The process includes conducting Discovery, writing a Vocational Profile, facilitating a Customized Employment Planning Meeting, and creating a Representational Portfolio. Using the model, students obtain Customized Employment/self-employment, are linked to collaboratively funded supports, and are assisted to access Social Security work incentives such as Plans for Achieving Self Support.