Transition

The goal of transition is to ensure students are prepared for life after high school.

Transition planning should consist of small milestones like increasing self-advocacy skills and larger milestones like completing degrees or certifications and getting jobs. Transition goals are deeply personal and individualized — and often change over time.

NDC has developed a variety of resources and tools using evidence-based strategies to support transition planning for deaf youth. 

What is Transition Planning?

Transition planning is the process students go through as they move from high school to beyond. A transition plan is a team effort to help identify the student’s strengths and needs as well as future goals.

For deaf students, transition planning is essential to preparing for life after high school. Transition programs and training opportunities, like work-based learning, can give students the tools and confidence to succeed and ultimately improve postsecondary outcomes.

Additional resources on Transition Planning

It’s been a tumultuous time for young people over the past few years. Online learning, mask mandates, family health and financial instability, and other changes have impacted youth, who are already feeling uncertain or apprehensive about their transition into adulthood….
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Categories All News, Engagement and Advocacy, Research and Publications

As deaf children grow into teenagers, they begin to take a more active role in decision-making and responsibilities. Families are often unaware of strategies to support their deaf teen on becoming more independent. The role of family members is vital…

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Type: News
Categories Engagement and Advocacy, Resources and Initiatives
Interventions, programs, and practices are evaluated for their effectiveness….
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Type: Resources
Useful For: Administrators
Topics: Transition
Self-advocacy is a lifelong endeavor that can never be learned too early or too late in life. Practicing self-advocacy is a critical element of the self-advocacy developmental process, and people who do it are better prepared to self-advocate in the…
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Type: Resources
Resource Type: Overviews
Useful For: Families
Topics: Transition

Resource Spotlight

Deaf youth have many different hopes, dreams, and goals. Many programs and services are available to help them succeed. As part of developing a transition plan, students need to be familiar with obtaining vocational rehabilitation (VR) support and take advantage of VR programs available to them in high school.

This guide summarizes the VR process and shares important information that will help students get the services they need to succeed.

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Dig Deeper

  • Check out our online learning catalog for free professional development.
  • Find more resources on transition, access & accommodations, and other topics. 
  • Check out our templates to help mitigate any barriers and support discussion with deaf students about their accommodation plan. 

From Our Video Library

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HOW DO ROLE MODELS IMPACT THE LIVES OF DEAF INDIVIDUALS?…
High expectations, whether as a parent, coworker, employer, or peer, go a long way in fostering confidence in deaf people….

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