A Handbook for Transition Teachers and Employment Specialists

By James E. Martin, Ph.D., Dennis E. Mithaug, Ph.D., John H. Oliphint, M.Ed., James V. Husch, M.A., & Eva S. Frazier, M.A.

The Rehabilitation Act and IDEA 1997 regulations require that self-determination be a part of daily practice in supported employment and transition programs. Education and employment professionals will learn how to make that happen in this easy-to-understand book, the first to offer step-by-step strategies and processes for helping people with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities make their own employment choices.

First, readers will get a detailed overview of the authors’ Self-Directed Supported Employment (SDSE) model, in which the individual actively participates in all aspects of assessing interests and skills, finding a job, and evaluating and keeping it. Then, they’ll get the materials they need to guide individuals through this process, including over 75 pages of photocopiable forms (in illustrated and written formats), sample resumes, case studies of people who have used the program, "what if" tables that address difficult scenarios, and information on requirements and accommodations.

Developed through a decade of research and field-testing with over 700 people, this practical book will make readers better guides and advocates for individuals as they become successful at the job of their choice.

About the Authors
Foreword
Michael L. Wehmeyer
Preface
Acknowledgments

1. Get a Job
   
   
2. Self-Determination: The Concept Powering Self-Directed
   Employment Practices
   
   
3. Getting Started: An Implementation Overview
   
   
4. Introduction to Section I. Goal A: Making Choices
   
   Objective 1: Getting Started
   
   Objective 2: Completing the Jobs I Want to Do: Form A or B
   
   Objective 3: Completing the Characteristics I Like: Form A or B
   
   Objective 4: Summarizing Making Choices
   
   Objective 5: Constructing a Résumé
   
   
5. Introduction to Section I. Goal B: Exploring Choices
   
   Objective 6: Completing Shadowing Skill and Preference Match
   
   Objective 7: Completing the Characteristics I Like versus What Is Here: Form A or B
   
   Objective 8: Doing the Situational Interview (Optional)
   
   Objective 9: Completing the Shadowing Summary
   
   
6. Introduction to Section I. Goal C: Testing Choices
   
   Objective 10: Facilitating Internships
   
   Objective 11: Completing the Characteristics I Like versus What Is Here: Form A or B
   
   Objective 12: Doing the Improvement Forms
   
   Objective 13: Completing the Job Requirements and Accommodations: Form A or B
   
   
7. Introduction to Section I. Goal D: Final Choices
   
   Objective 14: Completing the Job Internship Summary Graphs
   
   Objective 15: Facilitating Postassessment Staffing
   
   
8. Introduction to Section II. Goal E: Find a Job Matching Preference and Skills
   
   Objective 16: Individualizing Job Development
   
   Objective 17: Collecting and Evaluating Supervisor Feedback
   
   Objective 18: Completing the Do I Have the Job I Like? Forms
   
   Objective 19: Completing the Can I Do This Job? Forms
   
   Objective 20: Completing the My Employment Plan
   
   
9. Introduction to Section II. Goal F: Solve On-the-Job Problems
   
   Objective 21: Checking Supervisor Match
   
   Objective 22: Teaching a Problem-Solving System
   
   Objective 23: Teaching Ongoing Adjustments
   
   Objective 24: Monitoring Changes and Adjustments
   
   
10. Stories
    
    
11. The Numbers
    
    
12. Conclusion

Appendix
References
Index