Post-school options for people with a disability

The move from school to adult life opens up a whole new world of opportunities and challenges for young people with a disability. Starting to plan early will help your child make a smoother transition into study, employment or other options after they finish secondary school.

As a young person with a disability approaches their final years of school, it is a good idea to focus on planning for the future and to explore the pathways available to them.

Why early planning matters#

The key to a good plan is knowing as much as possible about the options available after school and working towards them as early as you can. Planning helps a young person think about the kind of future they want and what it will take to get there, and it helps make the transition as successful as possible. The sooner planning begins, the more confident and certain a young person tends to feel about their future.

To get the most from this process, begin post-school transition planning well before the final years of school. It is also important to involve the young person themselves, along with family and friends.

Writing down a plan that captures your child’s goals, preferences, needs and aspirations, and that identifies post-school options, helps bring about a positive future. The plan should be guided by your child’s interests and abilities. It should also consider what they want to do in their community, the relationships and social networks they have, and how these can be strengthened and extended.

Things to do while still at school#

There are many things a young person can do while still at school to prepare for life afterwards. Talking through their options early, ideally a few years before they leave, gives time to weigh up whether further academic study, applied or vocational learning, or a mix of these is the best fit.

Workplace learning#

Workplace learning helps students build a realistic understanding of the world of work. It can develop:

• self-understanding and maturity
• independence
• self-confidence

You can help make your child’s experiences positive by talking with them about what to expect at work and how to settle into a new environment before their placement begins. Students with a disability should be well prepared, and may benefit from experiences that are clearly structured. Careful, individual planning helps them have a positive experience and a chance to explore a range of post-school options. All students complete occupational health and safety activities before entering a workplace, and additional support can be arranged so that young people with a disability have a safe and worthwhile experience.

Work experience and structured workplace learning#

Older students can take part in work experience with an employer, usually organized by the school for one or two weeks. It is a great way to find out what working life is like, learn about an industry and meet new people.

Structured workplace learning goes a step further: students complete on-the-job training in which they work towards a set of skills and competencies linked to an accredited course. Students taking vocational courses as part of their senior studies are often expected to complete a certain amount of this on-the-job training, during which they learn important skills related to their course.

School-based support and planning#

Many schools provide individual planning and support to help students explore their post-school options and develop the skills to manage their careers. These programs aim to build a student’s knowledge, understanding and experience of opportunities in education, training and employment. Schools may use different names for this process and often combine it with broader wellbeing support. Your school’s careers coordinator is a good first point of contact.

Further study#

Many young people pursue further study after school, and a range of supports is available to help young people with a disability access post-secondary education.

University#

There are many courses and institutions to choose from, and you and your child may already have explored some during school-based planning. The best approach is to gather all the information you can and use it to decide what suits your child. Entry requirements vary, so check the specific requirements for any course your child is interested in.

Vocational education and training#

Vocational education and training (VET) courses are offered by public and private training providers and are usually developed in consultation with industry. Qualifications range from short certificates to higher diplomas and cover a wide range of occupations. Some VET courses also provide a pathway into university.

Disability support at tertiary institutions#

Most universities and training institutions have staff, often called disability liaison officers, who support students with a disability. They work to make sure reasonable adjustments are put in place so students can study on an equal footing. Services can include:

• application and enrolment advice
• counselling and orientation support
• information about scholarships and grants
• accommodation and financial advice
• putting students in touch with others who have similar support needs

Some officers are based at a single campus, while others are shared across several institutions.

Short courses and community education#

If you are unsure whether university or vocational study is right for your child, short courses can be a good way to explore career pathways and are often used as a stepping stone to further education. Less formal adult and community education courses, run in friendly local settings, are another option worth considering.

Employment#

For many young people, finding work is an exciting challenge. A job can bring not only independence and financial security but also a sense of pride and achievement. Young people with a disability who are looking for work can draw on a range of supports.

In many countries, government-funded and specialist disability employment services help people with a disability find and keep a job, especially those who need ongoing support. These services are tailored to the individual and can include:

• job-search support such as resume development and interview-skills training
• help to find suitable jobs
• support when first placed into a job, including on-the-job training
• support for co-workers and employers
• vocational training and other assistance

To find out what is available where you live, ask your school’s careers coordinator or contact your local employment or disability support services.

Supported employment#

Supported employment enterprises are businesses that enable people with a disability to take part in a wide variety of work tasks, such as packaging, assembly, recycling, nursery and garden work, cleaning and laundry services. Employees in these settings have the same working conditions as people in the general workforce. In some places, employers who take on an apprentice with a disability can also access assistance such as workplace modifications, tutoring, interpreting or mentoring support to help the apprentice reach their full potential.

Volunteering#

Volunteers provide an unpaid but valuable service to the community, and volunteering is an excellent way to take on new challenges and learn about the world of work. Many organizations rely on volunteers, and it can be a great way to gain new skills and build on work experience. Young people with a disability can find rewarding roles that include volunteer activities, and volunteering often introduces people to networks that lead to further career opportunities.

Government and community programs#

A number of programs may be able to help with the move from school to the workforce, including transition-to-employment programs that offer focused, time-limited support to young people who want paid work but are not yet ready to take it up. These programs help young people build the skills and confidence to enter the workforce, take part in their community and pursue purposeful activities. Eligibility, funding and review arrangements vary, so check what is offered where you live.

Becoming an adult: changes to support#

The disability support and benefits system often changes when a young person reaches adulthood, and the young person may be treated as an adult in some circumstances. It is a good idea to start planning for this change ahead of time. Depending on where you live, the payments, allowances or concessions a family or young person can claim, such as support related to disability, education costs, transport or health-care concessions, may change at this point.

Because these arrangements and any application deadlines differ from place to place, contact your local benefits or social-security service early to find out what your child may be eligible for and what documents you will need.

Who can help with planning#

Post-school planning should be inspired and directed by your child’s goals and aspirations, and guided by people who understand their abilities, support needs and preferences. While still at school, you and your child can ask for advice and assistance, especially with subject selection, work experience placements and vocational courses. People who can help include:

• teachers and education support staff
• careers advisers and school support group members
• employment counsellors and disability employment services

Key points#

• Start planning for life after school early, and involve your child, family and friends.
• A good plan is guided by your child’s interests, abilities, goals and support needs.
• Options include further study at university or vocational training, employment, and volunteering.
• Disability support, including liaison officers, reasonable adjustments and employment services, is available to help.
• Support and benefit arrangements often change when a young person reaches adulthood, so check what is available where you live.

Where to get help#