Transitioning from School to Jobs A Conference ... - Side Street Shop

Students become aware of their rights and responsibilities as adults. This empowers
them with informed choice to advocate for themselves. Through our relationship with
The Arc of Spokane (a national non-profit organization for people with disabilities),
and People First (an advocacy group for people with disabilities), several students have
flown to the state capitol to meet their legislators, discussing issues that affect people
with disabilities. Over the past few years, four of our students have flown to
Washington, DC to meet with legislators as self-advocates. Two of our past graduates
have had paid positions doing advocacy work.
Students gain valuable work experience in Spokane businesses through a partnership
between Special Education and Career and Technical Education (CTE). Students work
in unpaid positions in a variety of settings approximately 12 hours/week. (Usually 4
days/week, 3 hours/day).
Students create Transition Portfolio notebooks which represent areas that are important
to consider when entering the adult world. Students use this tool to communicate and to
provide documentation needed to bridge service gaps when meeting with DDD, DVR,
adult vocational agencies, and prospective employers.
Students actively participate in their annual Individual Education Plan (IEP), allowing
students to assume ownership of their own desired outcomes. Frequently in their lives,
the students have had goals or expectations assigned to them, rather than creating these
for themselves. Their participation in an Education Plan gives them confidence and
pride in taking some control over their own fate.
4 evenings/year, we host Info Night meetings to offer Parents/Guardians the
opportunity to participate in learning about adult services for people with disabilities.
Topics include: information from 14 local adult service providers, Social Security
Administration, DVR, DDD, Parent Coalition, recreation, and legal resources.
Measurable Evidence of Success:
Since the onset of the IMAGES program in 1995 through June 2010, 150 students have graduated.
One hundred and four out of 150 (69%) graduates obtained employment within the first year. In 1999,
five IMAGES students competed for seven state office jobs posted for adults with disabilities, and all
five have continued to work successfully in those jobs. The majority of graduated IMAGES students
have gained employment with support from DVR, DDD, and job agencies contracted through DVR
and DDD.
*(Employment status data for the graduating class of 2011 will be available after February 2012.)
Employed (in the year following graduation) 104 students, 69% (national average for students with
disabilities employed within the first
year of graduation is in the 37% range.)
Unemployed
20 students, (not working, most by choice)
Job Seeking
19 students (includes Class of 2010 seeking jobs now)
College
Unknown
3 students
4 students
150 IMAGES graduates
Intentions for the Future of Community IMAGES
We will continue to implement the most innovative transition strategies for young adults with
disabilities. The intended outcome is to equip and empower IMAGES students to become informed,
productive, and successful citizens of the community.
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