What opportunities are available after high school: Employment

Action Plans > What opportunities are available after high school: Employment Action Plan

Employment Action Plan

Individuals with disabilities are employable. The state agency, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, is an important partner in the process of helping youth with career exploration, employment readiness skills, and job placement.

To create a custom action plan, select the items below that are relevant to you or someone you support. Upon submission, you will see a summary of your items, which is your personalized action plan. This form will not be saved, however you will be able to print the summary, and if you provided an optional email address, the results will be emailed to you immediately.

Acronym Key: IEP = Individualized Education Program | VR = Vocational Rehabilitation

Developing skills for the workplace

Learn to use time management strategies at home and in school (i.e., checklists, calendar, planner)

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family

Take on more chores at home.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family

Consider taking community based classes to expand your hard and soft skills and explore your interests (i.e., Adult Basic Ed programs at community colleges, programs at Parks & Rec or local library, toastmasters, webinars)

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family

Consider postsecondary education options (see postsecondary education checklist)

Approximate Age: Start at 14 and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family, School/IEP Team

Resources: What’s Next: College?! A Guided Exploration of NC Inclusive Postsecondary Options for Students with Disabilities, NC Postsecondary Education Programs for Young Adults with I/DD

Gaining volunteer or work experience

Review how course of study pathways can support the student’s employment options (i.e., certificate versus, occupational course of study and future ready diploma pathway)

Approximate Age: 13 (Middle School) and ongoing | Who can help: School Personnel/IEP Team

Resources: High School Graduation Requirements

Identify career interests and skills, complete interest and career inventories, and identify education or training requirements for careers.

Approximate Age: Starting in middle school and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team

Resources: NC Careers

Begin exploration of personal learning styles and necessary accommodations/supports to be successful in a work setting

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team

Investigate assistive technology & communication tools that can increase employment opportunities.

Approximate Age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family, school/IEP Team

Consider summer employment or volunteer experience.

Approximate Age: High school | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Volunteer Match, NC Careers

Determine eligibility for SSI, and apply, if desired. Learn about asset limits (the impact of your income on your benefits). See the adult services action plan for more details.

Approximate Age: Start the application at 17.5 | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team, Vocational Rehabilitation or other benefits counseling agency (i.e., Service Source)

Resources: Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Explore your transportation options for getting to work. See transportation action plan for details.

Approximate Age: Age 15 | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, and Family

Explore apprenticeship and/or internship options

Approximate Age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team, Vocational Rehabilitation

Resources: Apprenticeship NC, NCCDD Project Search

Request meeting with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, including inviting them to IEP meetings

Approximate Age: Age 16 | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team, Vocational Rehabilitation

Finding a job

Explore Work Together NC’s employment service library and contact service agencies of interest

Approximate Age: Starting at age 16 & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, family, school/IEP Team, Vocational Rehabilitation

Resources: Employment Services

Begin a resume and update it as needed.

Approximate Age: Starting at age 16 & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team, Vocational Rehabilitation

Match career interests/skills with vocational course work as well as school and community-based work experiences.

Approximate Age: High school | Who can help: School transition facilitator/IEP Team

Seek out an evaluation for services by NC Vocational Rehabilitation *Note: Evaluation for VR adult services could risk in school VR services if student is deemed ineligible for “competitive integrated employment”

Approximate Age: Age 16 | Who can help: Individual and family

Learn about social security programs such as the Ticket to Work and Benefits Counseling and policies such as Work Incentives (i.e., Student Earned Income Exclusion)

Approximate Age: Age 16 | Who can help: Individual and family, Vocational Rehabilitation

Additional Items

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Disclaimer: This checklist is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be comprehensive, and should not be taken as legal advice. Services and programs mentioned may vary by county. Please consult with professionals with expertise in this topic area for guidance specific to you, your family or student/client’s situation. Have a suggested correction or addition to this checklist? Email worktogethernc@med.unc.edu.