Ardis Bazyn and Sheila Styron share advice, from the student's perspective, on how to make college a successful experience. They cover a range of topics, including Choosing the Right College or University, Using Disabled Student Services, Knowing the Laws that Affect You, Training and Recruiting Readers and Drivers, Working your guide dog on campus, Auxiliary Aids and Services for Students with Disabilities, and Contacting Advocacy Organizations of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Source: American Council of the Blind
Transition Resources
In making the transition from the school years to adult life, students who are blind or visually impaired need information and advice specific to their needs. In this section you'll find resources for students, parents, families, and professionals.
This site provides a good overview on the effect of visual impairments on learning, types of assistive technology, and the kinds of accommodations provided at colleges. Includes a list of scholarships and grants.
Source: Affordable Colleges OnlineThis 185-page guide addresses the importance of self-determination, student involvement in the transition process, instruction and assessment, and much more (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Source: Council for Exceptional ChildrenIdentifies various types of transition assessment, guidelines for conducting an assessment, and criteria for selection of assessment tools.
Source: National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC)This document helps parents prepare their children for legal majority. It explains guardianship, the transfer of rights, and considerations about graduation.
Source: National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)A 10-page table that illustrates evidence-based practices that support implementation of in-school predictors of post-school success.
Source: NTACTAn overview of the elements of community-based rehabilitation; in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)An overview of visual impairments, with tips on how to succeed in college, as well as information about scholarships and assistive technology for students with visual impairments.
Source: Online CollegesThis overview of community-based rehabilitation has links to related documents, including a matrix for designing a CBR strategy.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)In this 30-minute webcast, Mary Zatta describes the purpose and components of a vocational portfolio, and discusses the importance of development processes.
For more information on this topic, see this title from Perkins Publications: School to Work - Developing Transitional Portfolios for Students with Significant Disabilities
Source: Perkins School for the BlindThis 8-page brief provides an introduction to the transition process, including taking an early, long-range approach to planning, developing a comprehensive plan, an overview of participants in developing the transition plan, transferring rights at the age of majority, and putting it all together.
Source: ERIC DigestFrequently asked questions on the housing rights of people with disabilities, and the legal responsibilities of housing providers and building and design professionals.
Source: HUD.govEducational Advocacy is a self-directed tutorial that addresses topics of educational advocacy for parents, educators, and policymakers. Continuing education credits are available.
Source: Perkins eLearning, Perkins School for the BlindA review of teaching and intervention practices in transition services, with an evaluation of which practices correlate to a good transition outcome.
Source: NSTTACAn overview and definitions of guardianship, estate planning, and a special needs trusts, with useful online resources.
Source: Utah MedHome PortalInformation and resources about grants and scholarships, taxes, and financial help for people with disabilities. The scholarship information is organized by type of disability, e.g., hearing, vision, etc.
Source: Money GeekThe HEATH Resource Center is an online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities offering information on educational disability support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, accessing college or university campuses, career-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities.
Source: National Youth Transitions CenterVideo resumes are a way to show potential employers a student's abilities and achievements. This 2-page fact sheet lists tips for creating an effective video resume, a particularly effective way to document the abilities and achievements of students with severe disabilities.
Source: California Deaf-Blind ServicesThe portion of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) that specifically focuses on secondary transition is addressed here, outlining the "significant changes from preexisting regulations to the final regulatory requirements regarding secondary transition."
Source: U.S. Department of EducationThis page "provides information on strategies to support students, families and professionals to participate in developing a student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) and transition plan."
Source: National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)