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Youth in Transition Toolkit:

Youth in Transition Toolkit

  1. Minnesota’s Youth in Transition Framework
  2. Educate yourself
  3. Engage families
  4. Support youth
    1. My best life
    2. In(ter)dependent living
    3. Employment
    4. Postsecondary education and training
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Postsecondary education and training

Advocacy and supports

Accommodations and assistive technology

Will the youth need accommodations or assistive technology to be successful in postsecondary education or training?

Accommodations and assistive technology in postsecondary education and training provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in academic programs. They help students with disabilities become more efficient and independent by performing functions that may otherwise be difficult or impossible. Accommodations may include modifications or adjustments to specific tasks, the classroom environment or the way things are usually done as well as use of assistive technology.

  • Awareness: Understand the range and importance of accommodations and assistive technology in postsecondary education and training settings.
  • Exploration: Identify personal accommodations and assistive technology needs related to postsecondary education and training.
  • Preparation: Practice using accommodations and assistive technology at home, school and in the community.
  • Implementation: Successfully use accommodations and assistive technology in postsecondary education and training settings.

Instruction in self-advocacy

LEARN: Develop your knowledge

Learn how to help youth in exploring accommodations and assistive technology.

Learn about academic accommodations from the Job Accommodation Network. Best Value Schools shares what colleges do to help the visually impaired.

Postsecondary programs typically offer a wide array of assistive technology. It's helpful for youth to learn and use the technology while they're in high school.

Options might include:

  • Alternative textbooks
  • Screen readers
  • Text-to-speech software
  • Speech-recognition programs
  • Note-taking systems
  • Alternative input devices (such as alternative keyboards, electronic pointing devices, sip-and-puff systems, wands and sticks, joysticks, trackballs and touch screens)
  • Screen enlargers or magnifiers
  • Talking and large-print word processors
  • Braille embossers

Assistive technology can be demonstrated at locations such as the State Services for the Blind, PACER, the Courage Center and a local Center for Independent Living.

DO: Work with youth

Find resources to help youth explore accommodations and assistive technology.

Share this Accommodations in college (PDF) guide to help students learn about reasonable accommodations available to post secondary students and the process for requesting them.

First page of Accommodations in College guide
Accommodations in college (PDF)

Share the PACER Center's page on academic accommodations with the youth you support. The page includes questions youth can consider asking and videos showing how other youth have accessed accommodations and supports in postsecondary education and training settings.

PACER Center's Understanding Academic Accomodations webpage
Academic accommodations
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