PASS Program helps disabled students-Sun-Sentinel

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Appropriate Transition Services are vital to futre success of students with special needs. These services should address the post school outcomes. Postschool outcomes are not based on where the student lives while they are in school or whether or not they are employed. Many IEPs say that services are not needed because "student lives with parents" or "student is not employed." Many students with special needs should be receiving services to address behavior and skill deficits and prepare them for post secondary living based on their plans for the future not based on where they are when they are in High School. The PASS Program is just one option. If your student isn't eligible for an existing program then the school must develop an individual program to meet their needs.

sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-flbpassprogram0818sbaug18,0,1089194.story

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Alternatives for Secondary Students helps disabled students transition into workforce

Program teaches disabled young adults life skills.

BY Chercoles

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 18, 2008

Margate

It wasn't an average Monday for Beckerman, who works at Marshall's in Margate. He couldn't enter the employee lounge; the access code had been changed.

A confused Beckerman, who has autism, went looking for his coach, repeating the words, "door broken."

Beckerman, 23, is one of the hundreds of disabled students that the post-graduate program Alternatives for Secondary Students has helped transition into adulthood. The 12-year-old program, known as PASS, teaches disabled youths life skills and helps them look for first jobs.

"There are not many resources for this population after they leave the school system and it's crucial that they receive the support they have here," said Grigull, Exceptional Student Education specialist at the Atlantic Technical Center in Coconut Creek, where the program is based.

Students first lea

rn how to manage money, keep a schedule and use the public transportation system. Then a career coach identifies potential employers based on their interest. Training follows.

Marshall's has a partnership with the program and allows disabled people to train in its facilities, but it doesn't guarantee any position. The department store hired Beckerman in spring 2007 after he completed the program.

"They were instrumental in getting him the job and now he has succeeded on his own and is quite proud of his accomplishment," said Beckerman, his mother.

For the last year, Beckerman has been working at the back room of Marshall's twice a week. There, he receives clothes shipments to hang by style, color, size and gender. He has limited communication skills, so his coach uses verbal cues such as "fix," "shoulders," or "straighten" to guide him through his workday.

"Twenty years ago, people wouldn't even try having disabled employees," said Jane Crowley, Beckerman's coach.

Beckerman keeps a card with his daily schedule, which he follows to the minute.

For information on PASS, call .

Chercoles can be reached at mchercoles@...

Copyright © 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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