TRANSITION GUIDE

A TRANSITION GUIDE TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT FOR STUDENTS AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES
2. TRANSITION SERVICES AND REQUIREMENTS:
IDEA AND THE REHABILITATION ACT
Overview
Both the school system and VR program provide opportunities designed to prepare students and youth
with disabilities for careers in the 21 st century workforce.
This section describes services and key requirements of the IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act that
facilitate the transition from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education and
competitive integrated employment. These requirements are in place for students and youth with
disabilities to seamlessly access services and supports to achieve their career goals. Examples of how
States implement transition requirements, descriptions of services for youth with disabilities who are no
longer in school, and a sample flow chart of key points in the transition process are also presented.
Transition Services
Transition services are integral to FAPE under IDEA. A primary purpose of IDEA is to ensure that all
children with disabilities have available to them a FAPE that emphasizes special education and related
services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and
independent living. As noted earlier in this guide, IDEA contains transition services requirements for
students with disabilities, which must be addressed in the first IEP to be in effect when the student turns
16, or younger, if determined appropriate by the IEP Team. The Rehabilitation Act authorizes a
continuum of services, such as pre-employment transition services, transition services, job placement
services, other VR services, and supported employment services for students and youth with disabilities,
as appropriate, to secure meaningful careers. Implementing regulations for both the schools and the
State VR Services program define transition services similarly.
Providing transition services is a shared responsibility between the school and VR agency. The definition
of transition services is listed in the Glossary at the end of this guide.
Transition Services for Students under IDEA
Schools provide an array of supports and services for IDEA-eligible students designed to enable them to
be prepared for college or careers. Under IDEA, States and school districts must make FAPE available to
all eligible children with disabilities in mandatory age ranges. FAPE includes the provision of special
education and related services at no cost to the parents in conformity with a properly developed IEP.
Each child with a disability must receive FAPE in the least restrictive environment (LRE), and, to the
maximum extent appropriate, must be educated with children who do not have disabilities. The LRE
requirements apply to transition services, including employment-related transition services, and apply
equally to the employment portion of the student’s program and placement. 11
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