Services Provided by RISD Transition Services

Disability Awareness Training -With over 53 million Americans having a disability, large corporations as well as small corporations are seeking training in disability sensitivity and awareness.  The Transition Program offers free training in Disability Awareness.  The training can be designed around an organization or businesses individual needs.  The Transition Program can teach our students so much about working in the community yet we also want to teach the community about our students. This training provides insight about how to treat a person with a disability.  Many will be surprised, you treat a person with a disability the same as you would treat a person without a disability.  

Job Coaching -  Students, parents and staff  work to find jobs, volunteer site and/or internships that best match the student’s interest and abilities.  Teachers and paraprofessionals support the students in achieving success at their job.   Once the student is developing on a level of independence, the job-coach starts to fade from the student.    By fading, it is allowing for natural relationships and supports to start to develop at the job site.  Job coaches still occasionally monitor the student on the job to ensure continued success.

Job Development-  The process of locating competitive jobs in the community that are appropriate for individuals with disabilities.  The jobs are determined based on vocational assessment which reflects the students interests and abilities.  Job development consists of community job market screening, employer contract and job analysis. Attention is taken to find a good match between the job site, job supervisor and the student.

Individualized Education Plan-  An individualized plan specifically for the development of vocational skills and abilities.  The plan outlines services to be received, the time frame in which goals are accomplished, the duration of time involves, the expected outcome, and a method of evaluating progress.  The Individual  Education Plan is developed jointly by the individual and the ARD (Admission, Review and Dismissal)  committee members.  It should reflect the client’s interest, aptitudes and goals.  It may include such things as budget planning, social skills, and safety training.

Parent Advisory Meetings- Parents are invited to attend informational meetings that are led by a transition parent liaison that meets throughout the year.   Information about student safety, agencies, sharing of ideas, new laws, etc.. are discussed in the meetings.  Check the calendar of events to find out the dates.

Person Centered Planning –   It is a means to help a person set individual long range goals.  It provides guidance in what classes a student might take, where a student might recreate, be employed or volunteer.  The person centered plan is done in collaboration with school, agencies, employers, family and friends. 

Public Transportation Training – Since the Transition Program doesn’t pick-up students with a school bus, they learn how to ride Para-transit or DART.  This is done by careful and lengthy training  with the student.  Once the student has proven to be independent, the Transition staff begins to fade out of the picture.  Students that will not be able to ride DART independently, will be encouraged to access Para-transit. 

DART Para-transit Services provides curb-to-curb public transportation to people with disabilities who are unable to use DART buses or trains. Para-transit Services is a shared-ride service operated with modern, accessible vehicles. Riders who are unable to access vans by using steps may use wheelchair lifts. Boarding chairs are available upon request. Eligible riders are welcome to schedule trips to begin and end anywhere in the following cities:

Transition Information Team (TINT) meetings are offered 1 time each semester.  The focus in the fall meeting is post-secondary education.  In the spring it is centered around agency information.  See calendar of events for meeting dates.