Transition Preparation is State Mandated
Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing have a unique journey through the educational system. Most students with hearing loss are on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that requires schools to address transition readiness when students turn the age of 16. Despite this mandate, many graduating seniors are completing high school without the knowledge or skills needed to make a successful transition from high school to the world of higher education or employment. There are several contributing factors that impact transition readiness in these students: lack of accessible materials, lack of access to communication at home or at school, and a lack of research and interventions available to assist students when necessary (1).
The Power of Accessible Training Materials
When students are underprepared for transition, they have more difficulty finding meaningful (and lasting) employment or an education/training program that is a good fit (1). Realizing transition readiness is an issue and recognizing a lack of educational materials designed specifically for students with hearing loss, Pepnet 2 developed a transition training with these students in mind.
Map It: What Comes Next is an accessible online training that focuses on what students need to know when faced with the next step after high school. This training follows a diverse group of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind students through their transition process and encourages youth with a hearing loss to develop their own critical thinking skills and maps for the future.
Map It: What Comes Next is an accessible online training that focuses on what students need to know when faced with the next step after high school. This training follows a diverse group of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind students through their transition process and encourages youth with a hearing loss to develop their own critical thinking skills and maps for the future.
1. Danek, M. M., & Busby, H. (1999). Transition Planning and Programming: Empowerment Through Partnership (Publication). Retrieved April 1, 2014, from Clerc Center website: https://www.gallaudet.edu/.../clerc/SI-transition.pd
Alt Text: Five Deaf teenagers contemplate their goals.
Alt Text: Five Deaf teenagers contemplate their goals.
Last Updated April 2014