Transition to Employment (T2E): The development of support for students with disabilities preparing for the transition from College to employment or further study
Background to the project
The Disability Service launched its Strategic Plan (2011-2014) (PDf 1.6MB)in September 2011. This plan aims to develop clear and effective support systems at all phases of the disabled students’ Higher Education journey. It aims to supports disabled students across their college career, from pre-entry, through College and into employment.
Phase Three of the student journey concentrates on supporting students to become independent self-advocates who are prepared to successfully transition out of College and onto employment, further study, or any other path they seek. Due to national and university strategies the number of disabled students participating in third level education has grown significantly. Consequently the number of disabled graduates entering the labour market is at unprecedented levels. The Disability Service objectives for Phase Three are:
- Progression: Identify a range of activities that assist disabled students progress following their programme of study,
- Completion: Provide assistance in the preparation for transition to further study or entry to employment,
- Outcome: Monitor the outcome of the student journey as an evaluation of the service and College culture and ethos.
The Disability Service became a partner in the EU Leonardo project ‘Univers’Emploi’ in 2010. This project aimed that each partner country would create an employment support framework to embed employment elements into the needs assessment process. As part of this project, each partner institution conducted a pilot in which a selection of final year students was supported through the process of transition out of College and onto employment /further study. Click here for more information about the Leonardo project.
Following on from involvement in the Leonardo project, the Disability Service is continuing to develop its services and supports for students preparing for the transition from College. In line with best practice, the Disability Service is undertaking evidence-based practice using on-going data collection and evaluation to improve its supports and services, based on the needs of the students. The Transition to Employment (T2E) project for 2013 is outlined below. Please contact the Disability Service if you require more information.
Project Objectives
Strand 1:Practice: provision of transition to employment supports for final year students
- Hold Employment Preparation Day on the 21st January in collaboration with Trinity Careers Advisory Service and the Association of Higher Education and Disability (Jan 13).
- Conduct short survey on the concerns of a selection of final year students from the target groups (Jan 13).
- Analyse survey results and update website information accordingly (Feb 13)
- Publish Transition to Employment booklet on website including information on disclosure and workplace accommodations (Feb 13).
- Contact students to participate in an individual employment needs assessment, and to offer support throughout their final semester and into the summer period, as appropriate (Feb 13 onwards).
- Inform all final year students registered with the DS of the supports available by email (Feb 13).
- Continue to encourage students to contact their Disability Officer or Unilink occupational therapist with employment-related concerns (ongoing). Disability Officers and Unilink Occupational therapists to ask about employment preparation, as appropriate (ongoing).
- Update DS social media with links to networking events, internships, employment and voluntary opportunities (ongoing).
- Invite students to DS LinkedIn group and moderate group (ongoing).
- Liaise with the Careers Advisory Service (ongoing).
Strand 2:Research perceptions of students with disabilities preparing for the transition to employment
- Application for ethical approval for study submitted (Jan 13)
- Receive ethical approval/submit amendments (Feb 13)
- Gatekeeper to invite students to study by email, with participant information leaflet (Feb/Mar).
- Recruitment and data collection (Feb/Mar-April 13); explore and identify student preparations for employment to date, perceived work readiness, concerns in relation to transition from College, suggestions about format of Disability Service support.
- Data management and analysis (April-June 13)
- Report study findings (July 13)
- Use study findings to develop model of support for transition to employment (August ongoing).
Strand 3: Research work-related experiences of graduates with disabilities
- Application for ethical approval submitted (Jan 13)
- Receive ethical approval/submit amendments (Feb 13)
- Gatekeeper to invite selection of graduates to study by email, with participant information leaflet (Feb/Mar 13).
- Recruitment and data collection (Feb-Apr 13); explore graduates work-related experiences including: career exploration and job-seeking, experience of interview, managing disclosure, work role, work environment, strategies to support transitions, suggestions for current students.
- Data management and analysis (Apr-Jun 13)
- Report study findings (Jul 13); identify issues graduates experiencing in workplaces
- Use study findings to develop model of support for transition to employment (Aug 13 ongoing)
- Update website information (Aug 13 ongoing)
Project Outline
There are three strands to this project. The DS will incorporate the outcomes and findings from each strand to develop the model of Transition to Employment support for the academic year ‘13\’14. It is planned that the findings will inform the development of a work readiness programme which aims to prepare students for accessing employment and establishing a successful career.
- A practice strand involving the provision of transition-related support for students with disabilities, particularly final year students. The DS aims to particularly support students with physical/sensory disabilities, Asperger’s Syndrome, and mental health difficulties, who can have greater difficulty in the transition to employment. The support offered includes provision of an Employment Preparation Day, individual transition planning meetings, and provision of information within Transition to Employment webpages on the DS website and social media.
- A research strand exploring the perception of students with disabilities (third and fourth year undergraduate students and postgraduate students) in relation to the transition from College to employment.
- A research strand reviewing the work-related experiences of graduates with disabilities.
Background to the project
The Disability Service launched its Strategic Plan (2011-2014) (Pdf 1.6MB) in September 2011. This plan aims to develop clear and effective support systems at all phases of the disabled students’ Higher Education journey. It aims to supports disabled students across their college career, from pre-entry, through College and into employment.
Phase Three of the student journey concentrates on supporting students to become independent self-advocates who are prepared to successfully transition out of College and onto employment, further study, or any other path they seek. Due to national and university strategies the number of disabled students participating in third level education has grown significantly. Consequently the number of disabled graduates entering the labour market is at unprecedented levels. The Disability Service objectives for Phase Three are:
- Progression: Identify a range of activities that assist disabled students progress following their programme of study,
- Completion: Provide assistance in the preparation for transition to further study or entry to employment,
- Outcome: Monitor the outcome of the student journey as an evaluation of the service and College culture and ethos.
The Disability Service became a partner in the EU Leonardo project ‘Univers’Emploi’ in 2010. This project aimed that each partner country would create an employment support framework to embed employment elements into the needs assessment process. As part of this project, each partner institution conducted a pilot in which a selection of final year students was supported through the process of transition out of College and onto employment /further study. Click here for more information about the Leonardo project.
Following on from involvement in the Leonardo project, the Disability Service is continuing to develop its services and supports for students preparing for the transition from College. In line with best practice, the Disability Service is undertaking evidence-based practice using on-going data collection and evaluation to improve its supports and services, based on the needs of the students. The Transition to Employment (T2E) project for 2013 is outlined below. Please contact the Disability Service if you require more information.