Collaboration Between Rehabilitation Counselors and Secondary Educational Institutions to Optimize Successful Outcomes for High School Students with Disabilities

Abstract

This article highlights the need for a collaborative approach to transition services for youth with disabilities. Evidence of the positive impact of collaboration is presented, followed by indications that transition professionals are failing to engage in these activities. The lack of collaboration practiced by transition professionals can be partially attributed to the myriad of skills sets, pre-service training activities and employment settings in which these professionals enter into. The purpose of this article is to present an outcome-based model of collaboration between rehabilitation counselors and secondary educational institutions to aid in the transition of youth with disabilities to achieve their post-secondary goals (e.g., secondary education, secondary training, paid employment, independent living).