Affiliations: Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1257,
USA | Holt Public Schools, Holt, MI 48842, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Margo Vreeburg Izzo, Ph.D., Program
Manager, Special Education and Transition Services, Ohio State University,
Nisonger Center, 1581 Dodd Dr., Columbus, OH 43210-1257, USA. Tel.: +1 614 292
9218; Fax: +1 614 292 3727; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The demands of today's workforce include advanced training and high
standards for productivity, problem solving, and teamwork. While several
studies report that the enrollment rate of persons with disabilities in
postsecondary education is increasing, they are experiencing limited success.
Numerous authors suggest that the poor post-school outcomes of youth with
disabilities are due to their limited development of self-determination and
career decision-making skills. This paper provides a brief discussion on the
relationship of self-determination to career development, a review of model
transition programs that capitalize on the expertise of school and agency
personnel who collaborate and share resources, the role of the rehabilitation
counselor in promoting self-determination and career development skills, and
recommendations for practice and policy issues affecting both vocational
rehabilitation and education professionals.
Keywords: self-determination, transition services, vocational rehabilitation, career development
