This page is designed as a resource for educators, parents, students and others interested in effective transition planning and practices for youth with disabilities in Tennessee. I hope the links below will be helpful in your search for information about the transition process. Scroll down the page for Career Sites on the Web, sites for student personality assessment, career awareness, etc. Thanks for stopping by! Jane

Information on disability issues in general and information on national and local disability organizations, national toll-free numbers, list of agencies and organizations for each state, directories for summer camps for children with disabilities, etc. Search this site for online publications about transition related issues such as vocational assessment, options after high school, transition services in the IEP, travel training for youth with disabilities, etc. Great information at this site.<

The Tennessee Department of Education, Division of Special Education. This page contains special education forms, links to other sites, news, department info and schedule of departmental meetings, etc. Look for the Tennessee Connections, a Transition Manual for the State of Tennessee. Information for educators, parents and students regarding the transition planning process. This manual was produced through the Tennessee Transition Improvement Project and the Transition Task Force. Task Force Members were Lanny Arms, Karen Arnett, Celia Barrow, Pam Chmelik, Kate DeKornfeld, Judy Haston, Bella Higdon, Robert A. Jones, Jr., Claudia Joplin, Steve Reese,Trish Scudder, Dr. Janna Siegal, Carol Sletto, Mary James Wallace, and Jane Winstead.

Sevier County Special Education site. One of the best sites I’ve seen and recognized nationally as one of the top sites by the Special Education Advocate. Includes forms and information specific to Sevier County but also links to other reputable sites for almost anything related to special education. I love this one!!

The site for the LRE for LIFE Project

The LRE for LIFE Project provides technical assistance and support for school systems in East and Middle Tennessee. Their Web site contains information about the project, available workshops, resources, email link for Dr. Jennifer Butterworth, Project Director, and links to other good sites.

The Web site for the Tennessee Disability Information and Referral Office at the John F. Kennedy Center, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. The staff at this office can assist with information regarding available services for persons with disabilities in Tennessee. They also publish a directory of services and supports for each region of the state, East, Middle, and West. A great resource for educators and parents.

This site contains Meeting the Needs of Youth with Disabilities: Handbook on Supplemental Security Income Work Incentives and Transition Students. The Handbook provides guidelines on income eligibility, disability eligibility, the role of school personnel in providing information on SSI, earned income exclusions, student earned income exclusion, etc. Other publications include Vocational Rehabilitation, Transition, Program Evaluation, School to Work Practices, Guide to Federal Law and Practices. Publications may be ordered or downloaded if you have Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Regulations for IDEA, update on court decisions and other information regarding special education issues can be found at the Council for Exceptional Children site. CEC also has a number of good publications which can be ordered from this site.

Web site for Disability Resources, a nonprofit organization that provides information about resources for independent living. Well organized site with hundreds of links. Try DRM Regional Resources for a list of resources, services, agencies, etc. by state, including Tennessee.

Web site for the Dollar and Sense Project in a cooperative agreement with the Social Security Administration. Links for adults with disabilities and a transition manual with checklists/interview forms for helping students determine their transition service needs. Scroll down left side for link to transition manual.

The Chapel-Hill Training-Outreach Project, Inc. Link to the National Respite Locator Service, which helps parents, caregivers, and professionals find respite services in their state and local area. Scroll down the page for a listing of states, and click on the state of choice.

Surf this site on your own or if you want quick bottom-line facts, click on "Publications" then scroll down the left side. From the list of fact sheets, select "Transition to Adulthood" for fact sheets on topics such as self-determination; getting ready for adult life; jump-start job and career preparation, etc.

Assistive Technology products offered in their catalog. Also try

( FYI only, I am not advertising or endorsing any products)

Anderson County Schools. (Link to Transition at bottom of page).

Web site for the Western Regional Resource Center. From this site you may download an excellent publication,Transition Requirements: A Guide for States, Districts, Schools, Universities and Families. "This monograph is designed to provide technical assistance to clarify transition requirements of the IDEA, provide samples, and suggest practices to implement those requirements".

Information about IDEA. Click on the idea depot on the left side of the page and select transition from the list of topics or search this site by typing in Transition. Lots of good links. Watch the video "If Transition is Such a Good Idea, Why is it so Hard to Implement? at this site.