Supporting Students with Disabilities in Career Exploration and Workforce Readiness

Professionals play a vital role in helping students with disabilities explore careers and prepare for success in the workforce. Whether students need guidance on career paths, support in reaching their goals, or work experiences, you can provide essential assistance.

Encourage students to reflect on their strengths, challenges, and workplace support needs. Teaching self-advocacy—like requesting accommodations and communicating effectively—sets them up for long-term success. Explore the resources on this page to learn more.

Transition School to Work - Dream Big!

The Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) partners with school districts and community organizations to provide high school students with disabilities a range of valuable services—including Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), School Work Study, Work Adjustment Training, and more. These valuable services help them prepare for competitive integrated employment (CIE). To learn more, watch this video and visit the OK DRS Transition website.

Resources

Let’s Work Documentary
A true story of eight young people with disabilities achieving great things at work!
Open
The Charting the LifeCourse Framework
These tools help students and families envision a good life and identify necessary supports.
Open
Increasing Independent Living Skills
Learn how to help your children and youth build independent skills for job success.
Open
Work-Based Learning Self-Paced Course
This course explains work-based learning, its importance, and relevant laws for students with disabilities.
Open
A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities
This is the Policy Guide on Transition from OSERS.
Open
PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment
This website page from PACER has free downloads on many transition topics.
Open
Career Onestop
This site can help families and youth find workforce services in their area.
Open
Employment Resources from PACER
Check out the Employment resources on this PACER site.
Open
Youth Talk about Their Jobs
In this video, youth share why employment is important to them.
Open
Youth Talks: Nick on Employment
In this 3 min video, a young man with autism shares his experiences with employment.
Open
Transition Tips: How Parents Can Help Their Youth Find Employment Success
Five practical strategies for helping their youth be successful when first looking for employment.
Open
O*NET
O*NET is the main resource in the U.S. for information about different jobs and careers.
Open
Oklahoma Edge
Visit OK Edge to learn more about Individual Career and Academic Planning.
Open
A Middle School Career Development Framework for Students with Complex Support Needs
Increase effective middle school career development practices and expectations for students with complex disabilities.
Open
Competitive Integrated Employment CIE) Hub | U.S. Department of Labor
This site offers resources to increase the participation of people with disabilities in CIE.
Open
Oklahoma Career Guide
The OK Career Guide helps Oklahomans explore careers, take assessments, create education plans, and connect …
Open
16 documents