The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) administers programs that assist in educating children and youth with disabilities and provides funding for vocational rehabilitation (VR) services for youth and adults with disabilities. OSERS established the Transition Steering Committee to focus specifically on the services, needs, and outcomes of youth with disabilities who may benefit from the work conducted and services authorized by its program component offices. This committee, also known as "Transition Tigers," includes staff members from both OSERS program component offices:

• Office of the Assistant Secretary (OAS)

  • Office of Policy and Planning (OPP)

  • Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

  • Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)

A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities, August, 2020

As students and youth with disabilities prepare to transition to adult life, we must do everything we can to provide them with the information, services, and supports they need to ensure that they have the opportunity to achieve their goals. To aid in a seamless transition from school to post-school activities, this updated transition guide addresses the following topics:

• Transition planning: opportunities and programs;
• Transition services and requirements, as authorized by IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act;
• Education and employment options for students and youth with disabilities after leaving secondary school; and
• Supporting the decisions made by students and youth with disabilities.

 A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities, August, 2020 [PDF, 1.8MB]

Collaboration Opportunities: WIOA Youth and Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

On May 16, 2019, the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor issued a technical assistance resource titled Collaboration Opportunities: WIOA Youth and Vocational Rehabilitation Programs. This resource is intended to provide a high-level overview of these two programs and improve coordination of workforce preparation activities and employment services between these two core programs. The document offers strategies and resources to increase collaboration between the State and local agencies under these two programs, as well as program providers, so they may more effectively serve youth with disabilities.