Resource Library

7 Things to Know About College Disability Services

This document from Understood explains the way disability support services work in high school versus in the college setting.

Visit the Understood website

Accessible Technology Considerations to Support Educational Independence

Information about Assistive Technology that supports student learning is described in this webinar. The SETT framework used to evaluate a student's needs for AT is also outlined.

Visit the Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community website

4 Plus Program

This video highlights a program that is offered to students with visual impairments. It applies to students who need to work on work and independent living skills.

Visit the Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired website

ACT Accommodation Guide

The process of requesting accommodations for the ACT test are described on the ACT's website.

Visit the ACT website

ADA Overview

An overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act is provided by the ADA National Network. It is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. The law covers jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.

Visit the Americans with Disabilities Act Technical Assistance website

Graduation Guidance for IEP Teams

Changes to the graduation requirements (4,3,3,3) are described for IEP Teams by the Iowa Department of Education.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Assistive Technology

The Iowa Department of Education's webpage on Assistive Technology provides guidance. The information can help IEP teams to support students.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Apprentices- Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship Program

Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship Program provides a list of opportunities and map of employers across many different industries. These programs provide opportunities to learn skills while on the job.

Visit the Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship Program website

Assistive Technology for Transition Success

These assistive technology resources to support students in transition webpage includes handouts, videos and webinars. The focus is on general AT, employment, postsecondary education and training and independent living.

Visit the PACER Center website

Client Assistance Program

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a federally mandated program designated to assist individuals who encounter conflicts with programs funded under the Rehabilitation Act which include: Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Department for the Blind, and Centers for Independent Living.

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Rights website

Graduation Guidance for Parents video

This brief video describes the changes to the graduation requirements (4,3,3,3) in Iowa.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Center on Technology and Disability website

The Center on Technology and Disability's website includes a resource library and webinars. about assistive technology.

Visit the Center on Technology and Disability website

Graduation Information & Guidance for Families

The changes to Iowa's graduation requirements (4,3,3,3) are described for families by the Iowa Department of Education.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Countdown to Your Future

Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) provides a calendar highlighting important dates for college financial assistance. It applies to Juniors and Seniors in high school.

Visit the Iowa College Access Network website

Considering Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

This resource provides questions to consider when identifying the assistive technology needs of a student.

Visit the Parent Center Hub website

Guidance on 4+ Services

The Iowa Department of Education defines and outlines the duties of school districts to provide Special Education services to students beyond the fourth year of high school.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Easter Seals Assistive Technology

Find information about Easter Seal's Assistive Technology Center's statewide programs. The services offered support living, learning and working.

Visit the Easter Seals Iowa website

Disability Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities from a variety of organizations are listed. Details and how to apply are included.

Visit the Scholarships.com website

High School Students Careers

The Future Ready Iowa website provides information about options for high school students to connect with high-demand careers, education and training after high school.

Visit the Future Ready Iowa website

Age Appropriate Transition Assessment Toolkit

This toolkit provides guidance on different types of assessments, sample instruments, and suggested timelines for assessments.

Visit the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition website

School counselors: Facilitating transitions for students with disabilities from high school to post-school settings

This on-line training provides an overview of the Transition Planning process. It includes ideas on how School Counselors can contribute to the process.

Visit the IRIS Center website

Path to Independence - Mobile Apps to Support Transition-Age Youth

Find out about technology that can help people in many ways. Technology can help you at work, at school and at home. Some can help you find and get a job. This document lists many resources that are free. Whether it is to stay organized, take notes, or do a job, these resources might help you.

Visit the PACER Center website

IEP Transition Plan

This section of the Understood site focuses on transition planning; what transition planning involves and who may be involved in the process. Links to resources and planning tools are provided. Understood is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Learning Disabilities Association.

Visit the Understood website

Sample Self-Advocacy Plan

Youth can use this worksheet to help be prepared to participate in their IEP meeting.

Visit the PACER Center website

Iowa Intermediary Network website

The Iowa Intermediary Network provides information to connect students to career exploration opportunities through work-based learning.

Visit the Iowa Intermediary Network website

Explore Colleges

Considerations for students going to college are described from the Iowa College Access Network. Topics cover college location, type, academic programs, campus life, costs, living accommodations and campus safety.

Visit the Iowa College Access Network website

Junior/ Senior Checklist: Postsecondary Education

A list of things to do for Junior and Senior high school students who are planning to attend college after high school. The tips on this check list are suggested to provide a successful transition to college.

Visit the AEA 8 website

Federal Student Aid

Understand how federal financial aid works, how to apply for aid and about loan repayment on the Federal Student Aid Website.

Visit the Federal Student Aid website

Pre-employment Transition Services Agreement

This is a copy of the consent form for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS.) The form must be signed to give consent for any student to participate in Pre-ETS instruction or activities at school.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Finding and Applying for Scholarships

Information about applying for scholarships is provided by the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid organization. It includes how to find scholarships and when to apply.

Visit the Federal Student Aid website

Free ACT Test Prep

A free practice test and study guide are available from the makers of the ACT test.

Visit the ACT website

Preparing Students for Transition (IVRS Transition Brochure)

This describes what Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are and how students can get those services.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Going to College: Tips for Students with Visual Impairments

PACER's National Center on Transition and Employment outlines some tips for students with visual impairments when transitioning to college.

Visit the National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website

Research to Practice Lesson Starters

A list of lesson plan outlines that cover many skills. This includes the areas of academics, work and life skills. Level of difficulty ranges from basic facts to complex ideas. From the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition, a nation-wide resource.

Visit the National Technical Assistance Center on Ttransition website

What Are Pre-ETS?

Learn about what Pre-Employment Transition Services under WIOA can include.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Iowa Workbased Learning Guide

This guide provides school districts with information about high school learning that is work based. Descriptions of work-based learning from classroom speakers to work in the community and apprenticeships are included. This guide covers roles and responsibilities of the school and legal requirements to be considered.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Transition Tennessee

A website providing resources on preparing students with disabilities for life after high school.

Visit the Transition Tennesse website

High School Graduation Requirements for Students Receiving Special Education Services

This webinar from the Iowa Department of Education describes the changes to the graduation requirements (4,3,3,3) and provides guidance for schools.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Secondary Transition

This website provides information and guidance on the transition planning process. Topics include Age of Majority, Transition Planning Components in the IEP, Services provided beyond the 4th year of high school (4+), and Post-Secondary Summary Information. From Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEA.)

Visit the Iowa IDEA Information (i3) website

Iowa Community Colleges

This website has a list of Iowa's Community Colleges.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

IVRS High School Contact List

This is a list of counselors from Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) who work in the schools. The high school, counselor's name and contact information is included.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Questions and Answers on Transcripts for Students with Disabilities Attending Public Schools

This answers questions about what schools can include about a student's disability on school report cards and transcripts. This guidance is from The Office of Civil Rights.

Visit the Office of Civil Rights website

Students Get Involved!

These resources explain the basics of student involvement and person-centered planning. Includes materials for youth.

Visit the Parent Center Hub website

School Responsibility for Employment Preparation

This document describes the role public schools have in preparing students with IEPs for work. Responsibilities are outlined. This letter of guidance is from Iowa's Director of Special Education.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

MoneySkill

MoneySkill is an on-line course that covers the basics of money-management. Topics include income, expenses, saving and investing, credit, and insurance. This is designed for middle, high school and college students.

Visit the AFSAEF website

Work Based Learning Experiences for Students with Disabilities

Providing Equitable Student Access and Support for Work-Based Learning: The purpose of this resource is to support increased student access to quality work-based learning experiences for all students, including students with disabilities and students who have been underserved. Includes strategies to increase equitable access

Visit the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services website

Dear Colleague Letter: Access to Accelerated Programs

The Office of Civil Rights explains the rights of students with disabilities to have access to accelerated programs offered by their public-school district.

Visit the Office of Civil Rights website

Iowa Department for the Blind website

The Iowa Department for the Blind supports people experiencing blindness and low vision to achieve their employment and independent living goals.

Visit the Iowa Department for the Blind website

Job Corps

A description of training programs from Iowa Job Corps.

Visit the Future Ready Iowa website

Iowa Transition Planning Specialists for Foster Care

This map outlines the service areas of Transition Planning Specialists who support youth in Foster Care. This service is provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Services website

Senior Checklist- World of Work

A checklist for Senior high school students who are getting ready to work after high school. Includes tips for completing a good job application and getting ready for an interview.

Visit the AEA 8 website

National Parent Center on Transition and Employment- PACER

Find a wide range of resources and information on transition. Families, students and other members of IEP/transition planning teams have found this site useful.

Visit the National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website

Secondary Transition 101

These on-line trainings explain the Transition Planning process in Iowa. Topics include the Iowa Model of Transition Assessment and preparations for Post-Secondary Expectations in the areas of living, learning and working. Provided by Iowa Transition Specialists.

Visit the Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community website

Youthood Website

Youthood is a virtual classroom-based transition tool for youth with disabilities that includes activities.

Visit the Youthood website

Iowa Transition Model

This is an outline of what is expected in each piece of the IEP transition planning process. It was created by the Iowa Department of Education and the Area Education Agencies (AEAs).

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

T-Folio

T-Folio is a free online transition portfolio tool for high school-age youth with disabilities. The curriculum provides lesson plans and tips to help youth build self-determination and job-readiness skills through a series of interactive exercises.

Visit the T-Folio website

Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community

The Iowa Secondary Learning Community supports the transition planning process. Archived webinars and resources for IEP team members who want to continue learning about transition planning are available.

Visit the Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community website

Last Dollar Scholarship- Future Ready Iowa

A description of what is required to be eligible for the Last Dollar Scholarship from Future Ready Iowa.

Visit the Future Ready Iowa website

Planning for College Success

This website answers many questions about college for students with disabilities. The site also includes resources that may be helpful for students who are in college or planning to go.

Visit the National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website

Self-Advocacy and the Transition to College: A Curriculum for Practitioners

This curriculum was created for students with disabilities who are getting ready for college. The eight lessons focus on developing students' skills in self advocacy. Topics include understanding their disabilities and knowing how it affects their learning. Students learn what accommodations they need and how to ask for them. Student's rights and responsibilities are also covered.

Visit the Monadnock Center for Successful Transitions (MCST) website

Section 511 for Schools

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services describes what is required under Section 511 of WIOA for students with the most significant disabilities around employment preparation.

Visit the IVRS website

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education

Accommodations in college may look different than they were in high school. The Office of Civil Rights explains students' rights and process for getting accommodations in the college setting.

Visit the Office of Civil Rights website

Think College

The Think College website provides information about inclusive college options for people with intellectual disabilities.

Visit the Think College website

Iowa Intermediary Network's Connection Lab

The Iowa Intermediary Network's Connection Lab provides opportunities for students to meet virtually with workforce industry experts and explore various careers.

Visit the Iowa Intermediary Network's website

Career and Academic Planning

Learn about the Iowa law that requires school districts to have an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) for each student in Grades 8-12.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Comparison of the Individuals with Disabilities Act(IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), and The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

A chart comparing the rights of people with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) is provided on the Iowa IDEA information website.

Visit the Iowa IDEA Information (i3) website

Independent Living Postsecondary Goal IEP Team Decision Assistance Form

An assessment tool to help the IEP team decide if a student needs a postsecondary goal in the area of independent living. It is provided by the Transition Coalition.

Visit the Transition Coalition website

Individual Transition Planning Guide

This planning tool from the Minnesota Developmental Disabilities Council helps students and their families think about and plan for the student's transition needs. This is an electronic form that may be printed out or saved by the user.

Visit the Minnestoa Council on Developmental Disabilities website

ICAN website

The Iowa College Access Network provides programs, tools, and resources to help students with preparing for the academic, social and financial aspects of going to college.

Visit the Iowa College Access Network website

Transition to Postsecondary Education for HS Educators

The Office of Civil Rights provides information to help educators advise students about the process of transitioning from high school to college.

Visit the Office of Civil Rights website

Indiana Transition Assessment Matrix

A collection of assessments is available through this site and can be sorted by areas of living, learning, working and grade level appropriateness. Includes Spanish language assessments.

Visit the Indiana University website

A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment

An updated Transition Guide by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services includes best practices.

Visit the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services website

Mission: Employable

Mission: Employable is a podcast by Iowa Workforce Development that discusses a variety of opportunities that are available in the workforce in Iowa.

Visit the Mission Employable website

Safer Driver Solutions

Safer Drivers Solutions is an organization that specializes in working with individuals with special needs. They provide driving instruction that is individualized. Find general tips and information about the process and possible funding options.

Visit the Safe Driver Solutions website

Secondary Transition Decision Guide - Working

This document has been created tor IEP teams to use during transition planning in the area of working. This should guide teams in the discussion around what might be provided during the traditional four years of high school and when to consider the possibility of continuing services for students beyond the traditional four years of high school.

View the document from the Iowa Department of Education

ME! Lessons for Teaching Self-Awareness and Self-Advocacy

Lesson plans on self-awareness and self-advocacy skills for students who have disabilities. Includes materials to supplement the lesson and links to resources.

Visit the Zarrow Center website

Suggest or Request a Resource

Searching for a resource but can't find it? Please fill out our form to let us know what information would be helpful to you.

Complete The Form

Senior Year Plus

Information about Senior Year Plus programming which includes any classes that have the potential to generate college credit. Includes Advanced Placement (AP), Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), and Dual Enrollment, etc.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Secondary Transition Decision Guide - Learning

This document is available for IEP teams to use during transition planning in the area of learning. This should guide teams around what might be provided during the traditional four years of high school and when to consider the possibility of continuing services for students beyond the traditional four years of high school.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR EDUCATIONAL DECISION MAKING (with Directions)

This form can be used when a student with an IEP turns 18 and would like to have someone (like their parent or another supportive adult) involved in their educational decision making. This is not for someone who already has a guardian.

See the document

ASK a Family- Transition to College

In this video Mike, a youth with disabilities, and his mom discuss the experience that he has had and what they have learned when he started attending college at the University of Iowa's REACH program.

View the webinar from ASK Resource Center

Learn about Self-Advocacy

This collection of short videos cover a range of important topics that support self-advocacy and independence for people with disabilities

Visit the Self-Advocacy Online website

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

Learn about the 504 accommodations that are available to students in the college setting, along with how these accommodations might look different than what was available in high school.

Go to the U.S. Department of Education website

Nursing Career Guide for People With Disabilities

This guide to nursing careers for people with disabilities provides information about the benefits and challenges, common nursing degrees and specialty fields, and some common accommodations for students with disabilities in nursing programs.

Visit the Nursing Education website

Pro Tips for the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form

Tips for preparing to fill out the FAFSA® form like what documents to have ready and tips for filling out the form are provided by the Office of Federal Student Aid.

Visit the Student Aid website

Financial Resources and Discounts for Students With Disabilities

This guide includes information about ways that students with disabilities can save money on a variety of topics including: financial aid for college; travel discounts; entertainment discounts and free things to do; software and assistive technology and tools; internet and other bills like electricity.

See information about ways to save