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As a person living with a disability

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I learned one of my most
important lessons when I was three.

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I was visiting my doctor at Shriners Hospital

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Doctor Tippy

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and he told me I was going
into the hospital soon

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and that he was going to fix my arm.

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And I started to cry, “fix my arm

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but that's what makes me special!”

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My disability is part of me.

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It's an essential part.

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And I wasn't ready to give it up.

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So Doctor Tippy, he sat me down
and he said, “don't worry, Kevin

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your arm will still be special

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we're just going to make it work
a little bit better.”

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And that sounded okay.

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We worked out a deal

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and this is when I learned

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that whether it's a teacher,
a doctor, a case manager, a counselor

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when their success is tied to my own
and they're truly on the same journey with me

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the chance of success rises significantly.

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I think this is the foundation
of any helping relationship.

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I'm a storyteller and a disability advocate.

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It's what I do for a living.

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And I think of people as stories.

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I'm not defined by my disability.

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I'm not a list of symptoms

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just as I'm not a list of jobs I've had or girlfriends.

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I'm an ever changing work in progress.

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When I attended public schools as a kid,
expectations for kids with disabilities

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they were pretty low.

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But we have come a long way,
and professionals now understand

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that they are the partners
who help youth explore their options.

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With person centered planning

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it’s all about supporting youth

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to live, learn, work, and enjoy life
the way they choose.

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Now, Minnesota has a statewide Transition Framework

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that defines high quality transition programming

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for youth with disabilities
and those who support them.

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Minnesota's Transition Framework
strengthens the partnership

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between schools, Vocational rehabilitation Services

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that’s VRS

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State Services For The Blind

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SSB

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waiver case managers
and service providers

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by fostering a common approach to the
delivery of transition planning services.

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The Framework sets common goals.

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It aligns common values

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language, systems, and best practices.

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It facilitates coordination of services and supports.

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It promotes collaborative partnerships

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with youths, families, and professionals.

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And it ensures consistent transition
planning experiences

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for youth and families.

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For the youth you serve,
the Framework helps them to

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use self-determination and leadership
skills to envision and advocate for their best life.

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To successfully live as independently as possible

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becoming part of the community

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they choose to live in and housing
that works for them.

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To find competitive
integrated work that they enjoy

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and access postsecondary education
and training options.

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There are guiding principles

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that serve as the foundation
for effective transition planning.

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Start transition planning early.

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By law, transition planning
must be in place by the ninth grade

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but this is a lifelong process
that begins well before that.

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Engage families as partners.

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Make parents and loved ones meaningful
partners in the transition process.

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Families are integral to building
successful transition outcomes.

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In fact, family involvement
is a measurable predictor of success.

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Foster self-determination.

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I find in the world of disability
that the young people I work with

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often have an inner strength,
but lack the skill to voice that

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or to feel confident
that they will be heard.

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Help youth use support
build self-awareness, know their rights

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understand their options,
and make informed choices.

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And advocate for what they want.

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Focus on strengths.

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When I was a young adult
trying to get a job in the theater

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I decided to use my disability as
a plus rather than a liability

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and it really made a big difference.

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Young people especially need to know

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that they are the experts in their own lives.

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Hold high expectations.

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People are really influenced
by what people think they can do.

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Lead with a spirit of optimism
and help youth and their family

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see what can be achieved with appropriate
opportunities and support.

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Develop strong partnerships.

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It takes committed partners
working together

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Building person centered informal
and formal partnerships

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during high school

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supports better outcomes.

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Remember to consider each person as an individual.

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There is no one size fits
all strategy for youths with disabilities.

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Be resourceful.

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Think outside the box.

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Brainstorm and partner with colleagues.

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We've all been called to do this work
for the same reason

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to help another person
live their best possible life.

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And don't worry

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there are so many resources available
to support you and make your job easier

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to reach the better outcomes
that we're all seeking.

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You can find a wealth of resources
at disabilityhubmn.org.

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and specifically the
Youth In Transition Toolkit

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in the Professionals section.

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This toolkit is comprehensive
with up to date resources

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guidance and tools to help professionals implement
Minnesota's Transition Framework.

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In my work, one of the
things I'm most struck by

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is meeting young people who have found their way
to meaningful employment and independence

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and now want to give back and
help others find their way.

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Their message?

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“dream big and you can do it.”

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And this is all thanks to the work you do.

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And as advocates and professionals

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when we successfully help guide
a young person on this path

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aren't we also living our best lives?