Expect, Empower, Engage Resource Database

Peers have an influential role in promoting inclusive education for students with extensive support needs in their schools and communities. This resource is a toolbox of educational interventions for educators to promote relationships within inclusive educational settings. Each of these approaches are feasible to implement within schools and communities and are effective at improving the educational experiences and post-school outcomes of students with and without disabilities.

School should be a place of belonging for each and every student. Belonging is easy to affirm, but much harder to define. This research-based resource provides ten essential dimensions of belonging for students with and without disabilities. The guide helps educational school communities to celebrate, reflect, and create observable, actionable steps to address each of the 10 dimensions, and to promote greater inclusion and belonging in schools and communities. When each of these dimensions are addressed well, schools become learning environments in which students with disabilities thrive and are seen as valued and indispensable members of the school community and beyond.

This guide provides tools and reflection questions for families and youth as they begin and continue to engage in the transition process. Reflection questions in this tool are categorized into six domains and six life stages ranging from infancy to adulthood and aging. 

This online module focuses on the transition process from high school to post-secondary settings. Key topics include individualized education program planning, engaging students in the process so as to become better advocates for their own needs, and the importance of outside agencies such as vocational rehabilitation.

This policy overview of the IEP process provides recommendations for families to partner with their schools to support their children through the transition process, including strategizing around transition planning

This online module focuses on the process of developing high-quality IEPs for students with disabilities. Key topics include the requirements for IEPs as outlines in IDEA, the implications of the Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District Supreme Court ruling, and how to effectively plan IEP goals focusing on post-secondary transition.

This guide provides a policy overview of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, and highlights eligibility requirements as mandated by IDEA and WIOA to participate in VR services. 

These six guides and accompanying videos provide families and educators of students with disabilities with policy-informed information about facilitation, mediation, written state complaints, due process complaints, resolution meetings, and expedited due process complaints.

This video follows the stories of several parents and self-advocates as they address questions and concerns about supporting youth with disabilities as they engage in the transition to adulthood.