Glossary of Transition Terms

ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act

Enacted in 1990, the ADA guarantees people with disabilities civil rights protections in employment, public accommodations, government services and telecommunications.Title II of the ADA covers public programs, activities and services such as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Blind Services.  Most requirements of Title II are based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibited discrimination based on disability in federally assisted programs and activities.  The ADA then extended Section 504’s non-discrimination requirement to all activities of public entities – such as the State of Florida – and not only those receiving federal funds.

Assistive technology

High-tech adaptive and accessibility aids for people with disabilities and special needs. Augmentative/Alternative Communication Systems (AAC)
Systems of communication, such as communication boards, that can help with writing, spelling, typing, word selection, conversation, speech synthesis, manual reading or other communication needs resulting from a disability.

Disability

A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Due process rights

Rights that give school personnel and parents ways to solve problems and settle disagreements. They include the right to participation, the right to have notice, the right to give consent and the right to a due process hearing. The hearing is a formal meeting run by an impartial hearing of?cer, where parents and school of?cials can resolve disagreements fairly.

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT).

Comprehensive prevention services for Medicaid-eligible children.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE)

In Florida, specal education services and programs for students who have a disability or who are gifted in other ways.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

504 Plan

An individualized plan for a student with a disability who may not meet the eligibility criteria for Exceptional Student Education (ESE), but who requires accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

A federal regulation (34 CFR 300.121) specifying that all children with disabilities aged three through 21, including children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school, are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. Districts must provide FAPE to all students with disabilities who have not reached age 22 and have not earned a regular high school diploma.

Individual Educational Plan (IEP)

A written plan to identify the special education and related services designed to meet the individual needs of a student with a disability. The IEP is developed by the student and his or her teachers, parents and others as appropriate.  It is reviewed annually, but may be revised at any time, upon request.

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

A vocational rehabilitation plan that targets a speci?c job goal and services that are necessary in order to reach the goal.  The plan can be amended at any time and should be reviewed annually.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

Placement of a student with disabilities in a regular class or in a special program for the amount of time that is appropriate for the child. Taking a child out of a regular school setting should be done only to ensure access to a satisfactory education.

Medicare

Medicare is the federal program that provides health care coverage to Americans who are 65 or older, or who have a disability, no matter what their income.  You are eligible for Medicare if you are 65 years or older, and you are a U.S. citizen or have been a permanent legal resident for ?ve continuous years, or if you are disabled and have had Social Security for at least two years, or if you get continuing dialysis for permanent kidney failure or need a kidney transplant, or if you have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS-Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Medicaid

Medicaid is a jointly-funded, Federal-State health insurance program for certain low-income people. It covers approximately 36 million individuals including children, the aged, people with disabilities, and people who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance payments.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, amended in 1998, prohibits any recipient of federal funds from discriminating against persons with disabilities. Section 504 requires that all children with disabilities be provided a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.

Special Diploma, Option I (Florida)

A type of diploma for students with a disability who are not able to meet all requirements for a standard high school diploma.  Students must meet district credit requirements and master the Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma.

Special Diploma, Option II (Florida)

A type of diploma for certain students with a disability who are not able to meet all requirements for a standard high school diploma. An individual employment and training plan is developed by the IEP team. It lists speci?c competencies related to job preparation skills and adult living skills for the individual student. The student must master all competencies included in the plan and be successfully employed for at least one semester. Districts may offer Option 2, but are not required to do so.

Special Education services

Specially designed instruction for a student with a disability. Special education adapts lesson delivery, content and instructional methods to the student’s needs and provides services such as instruction in Braille, additional individualized practice or social skills training.

Standard Diploma (Florida)

The type of diploma earned by most Florida high school students. The state legislature and the local school district set the requirements.  Other diploma options include a college-ready, vocational diploma and an international baccalaureate diploma. Students are required to earn at least 24 credits in a set of required and elective courses, have a 2.0 Grade Point Average, and pass the high school graduation test.

Supported Employment

Supported employment includes sites where most co-workers do not have disabilities and those who do have regular contact with those who don’t.

Ticket to Work

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is the centerpiece of new legislation enacted under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. It is a nationwide initiative designed to assist people with the training and support they need to go to work by increasing their choices. SSA bene?ciaries with disabilities can ?nd employment, vocational rehabilitation (VR) and other support services from public and private providers.

Transition Services

A set of coordinated activities designed to help a student move from school to post-school activities.  These may include independent living, work or continued education after high school, instruction, related services, community experiences, work toward post-school goals, and, if appropriate, daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation, all based on the student’s needs and preferences.

Transitional IEP

An IEP written during a student’s eighth grade year or at the IEP meeting conducted during the year the student turns age 14.  This IEP deals with issues related to making the transition to adult life after high school, including diploma decisions.