Project SEARCH: A demand-side model of high school transition

Community work experience and coordinated transition services are recognized as key factors in successful schoolto- work transitions for young people with disabilities. However, although federal law now mandates transition assistance, such services are not consistently available. Consequently, youth with disabilities often miss out on opportunities to develop the work habits, communication skills and attitudes that employers look for when making hiring decisions. In this article we describe the Project SEARCH High School Transition Program, an employer-based intervention for high school students with significant disabilities whose main goal is competitive employment. The program combines real-life work experience with training in employability and independent living skills. Individualized placement assistance is provided as an integral part of the program. The hallmark of this demand-side model is complete immersion in the workplace. This facilitates a seamless integration of classroom instruction and on-the-job training and support that cannot be achieved with occasional workplace visits or simulated work environments. The program also demonstrates a novel collaborative approach that brings the education system, employers, and rehabilitation services together in unique ways to create a productive and comprehensive transition experience for students.