Steps to Independent Living

Having High Expectations When You Don’t Know What to Expect

This interactive training is designed to help parents, educators, and related service providers understand the importance of having high expectations in children with disabilities, but also have high expectations of parents, educators, and the community as a whole in supporting students with disabilities to be successful in school and to achieve their goals for postsecondary education, employment, and independent living. There is an emphasis on the Transition to Adulthood IEP (Individualized Education Program) and the options for students as they decide to enter and exit the 18-21 services provided by their public education programs. There is also discussion about the Home and Community-Based Services options and pathways.

Learning Objectives:

1. A thoughtful discussion of various options for parents and their children/youth with disabilities in planning for the future

2. Using the Individualized Education Program to plan for before, during, and after the school-based 18-21 services

3. Important considerations when a child/student turns 18

4. Discussion about who can help families and individuals as they plan to exit school programs