Taking Charge of Your Education
A Guide for Young People with Disabilities Transitioning to Adulthood
If you do not have AcrobatReader installed on your computer, please click here to download it.
Download the The Story of You Worksheet
Download the Thinking Before Learning Worksheet
Download the The Future's Wide Open Worksheet
Person-Centered Planning Process
And Now…Your IEP
We've included a number of worksheets to help guide your thinking. They are available for download on the right so you can fill them out. When you're done, you'll better understand what you need to do to get ready for life after high school, whether that means more education (including vocational school or college), a job, or both!
- Begin with the Person-Centered Planning process – This process brings you and the people who are interested in your future together so you can develop an action plan based on what you would like to do – it takes into account your dreams and hopes and is the foundation for your IEP. The worksheets involved (3 in all) will help you take a closer look at yourself and your options.
- Work with other students – Working with other students is a great way to discover new ideas. Hearing what other people's goals are may lead you someplace you never thought of before.
The following worksheets can be useful tools to have with you at your planning meetings. Don't worry about not knowing an answer for every question – that's where your parents, teachers, vocational counselors, Workability I/Transition Partnership Project (TPP) Staff, case worker, and/or transition specialists can help.
Worksheet #1–The Story of You
You can read through these and answer the questions for yourself, and if you like you can download a PDF (at right) to print out and write your answers on.
Your History:
What schools have you attended?
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What activities do you participate in at school? Outside of school?
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What special events have affected your life?
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Your Places:
Where do you like to spend your time?
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What do you like about these places?
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Is there anything you'd change about these places? What would that be?
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Your Support Group:
Which family members will participate in the transition programs you are or will be involved with
now, and in your adult life?
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What agencies will be involved?
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Which friends or community members will play a part in your
transition programs and your adult life?
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Your Story:
What is your biggest nightmare about life after high school? (We've all had one at one time or
another, so don't be afraid to share, it's the best way to conquer it.)
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What are your biggest strengths, gifts and talents? (Don't sell yourself short, write them all down,
these are what will make your dream possible.)
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What is your biggest need to make your dream come true?
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Worksheet #2–Thinking Before Learning
What are your educational goals?
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What kind of classes would you like to take?
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How will you pay for school, books, living accommodations?
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What kind of transportation will you use?
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What kind of support will you need to be successful?
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Will you need or want to disclose your disability to request academic accommodations?
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How many hours a week would you like to spend in classes?
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Are there other types of educational activities you'd like to participate in? Mentoring? Work-study?
Internships?
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Worksheet #3–The Future's Wide Open
What are your dreams and hopes for the future?
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What worries you about the future?
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Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
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What support would you need to get there?
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