Pre-employment transition services: Provider experiences with design and delivery

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) are designed to build upon school-based transition services to support students with disabilities in developing skills to meet their post-school goals around competitive integrated employment. OBJECTIVE: This study examines Pre-ETS providers’ experiences assisting students with disabilities in developing skills for transition through Pre-ETS activities. METHOD: Through an electronic survey, the insights of 96 providers of Pre-ETS were examined in relation to the planning, delivery, and impact of different activities. RESULTS: A lack of consistency in the process of planning Pre-ETS instruction exists across providers, though most report individualizing at the student or group level. Additionally, providers report using multiple methods to plan Pre-ETS delivery focused largely on Pre-ETS curriculum and transition websites. The types of services and activities implemented and the reported impact of each varies across providers. CONCLUSION: We offer recommendations focused on policy and practice for Pre-ETS providers to support students with disabilities as they transition into competitive integrated employment.