The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) help students age 14 and over to successfully make the transition from high school to postsecondary education or employment. The student works with a team including a Bureau rehabilitation counselor, the student's parents, a teacher consultant, a social worker, a special education director, and possibly others to prepare an annual Individual Education Program (IEP) plan. The plan includes details such as what classes will be taken the following year, extracurricular and volunteer activities and what Pre-ETS services the student will be participating in during the time as a transition client.
BSBP will provide Pre-Employment Transition Services to students who meet the following criteria:
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Consumer that is in application, eligibility or IPE status or Potentially Eligible (prior to VR application)
14-26 years of age
Student with a Disability
Currently enrolled in secondary, post-secondary or other recognized education program
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are provided in collaboration with local educational agencies and community partners. Pre-ETS are designed to be an early start at job exploration and will assist students with identifying career interests to be further explored through additional VR services. Pre-ETS must be made available to all students in need of such services on a statewide basis regardless of whether or not a student has applied for VR services. Pre-ETS services may begin once a student requests or is recommended for one or more service and documentation of a disability is provided. These services can be provided in a group setting or on an individual basis. A Word document listing of Pre-ETS programs offered within the last year are available by clicking here.
FIVE PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICE CATEGORIES
JOB EXPLORATION COUNSELING: Intended to provide counseling and guidance to help students explore career options. Career counseling can be offered in a variety of settings including groups and individually, in person or by means of digital communication. Job exploration options are intended to foster motivation, consideration of opportunities and informed decision-making.
Examples:
Career Exploration (O*Net, etc.)
Job clubs, career and trades fairs
Job shadowing
Informational Interviews
Vocational Assessment
Workshops and Presentations on topics such as:
Self-awareness
Careers versus jobs: what’s the difference?
What classes do I enjoy now, and how might those relate to careers?
What are in-demand jobs?
Competing in the future workplace
Web-based job searches
How to conduct informational interviews
What jobs are in my community?
WORK-BASED LEARNING: May include in-school or after-school opportunities, or experiences outside the traditional school setting (including internships), provided in an integrated environment in the community to the maximum extent possible. Work-based learning is an educational approach that uses the workplace or real work to provide students with the knowledge and skills that will help them connect school experiences to real-life work activities and future career opportunities.
Examples:
School-based work experiences – job stations, etc.
Summer Work Experiences
Internships, paid or unpaid
Community Service and/or Volunteering
Apprenticeships
Career Mentorship
Trial Work Experiences
Work-site Tours
After-school/weekend jobs (focused on developing basic work skills)
POST-SECONDARY EXPLORATION This activity area includes exploration of both post-high school transition programs at institutions of higher education, trade and vocational schools, as well as two and four-year colleges.
Examples:
Campus Visits
Education Fairs
Speakers from various educational programs
Presentations by disability coordinators
College Prep/Study Skills
Accessing assistive technology
Researching scholarships and/or completing the FAFSA
Advising students and parents or representatives on academic curricula
Providing information about college application and admissions processes;
Exploring career and tech options
WORKPLACE READINESS TRAINING, INCLUDING SOCIAL SKILLS & INDEPENDENT LIVING: Workshops/job clubs on social skills, workplace behavior and interaction, multicultural awareness, problem-solving skills. Designed to develop independent living and social skills necessary for a student to be successful in employment.
Examples:
Travel Training
Independent Living Assessments
Skills of Blindness Training
Job Seeking Skills/Job Clubs
Budgeting
Workshops on on-the-job presentation: dress and grooming, etc.
Understanding learning styles and how they affect social and independent living skills
Soft-skills training
On-the job evaluation
Teamwork and decision-making skills
Adaptive computer skills training
SELF-ADVOCACY INSTRUCTION: Opportunities to learn about rights, responsibilities and how to request accommodations, services or supports students may need to successfully complete the transition from secondary to post-secondary education and/or employment. These experiences may include mentoring by peers working in competitive integrated employment.
Examples:
Mentoring
Youth Leadership Programs
Workshops in areas such as: developing goals, time management and organization, balanced life planning
Disability Awareness classes and groups
Self-advocacy, peer support, and mentoring groups
Classes in advocating for yourself in IEP/IPE/person-centered planning
Decision-making skills and learning how to make your own choices
Accessing community resources such as health care, recreation, social opportunities, etc.
Classes/workshops in self-determination and personal futures planning
Learning how to create and participate in community activities and relationships
Learning how to request accommodations
For more information, call 800-292-4200 toll-free (TTY 888-864-1212, toll-free), or contact a Bureau of Services for Blind Persons office near you.