Students and young adults

By the time a student with an IEP turns 16 (earlier in some states), the IEP must include a transition plan. It has goals for work, education or training, and, if needed, independent living, plus the services to reach them.

• The student should be at the meeting and help set the goals.
• Ask the school to invite your state VR agency.
• Work experience in high school is one of the strongest signs of getting a job later. Ask for it in the plan.

More: IEPs explained on IDD Atlas.

State VR agencies must offer Pre-ETS to students with disabilities. Students with an IEP or a 504 plan can get them. The age range depends on your state, usually starting at 14 or 16 and going to 21. A student does not have to be found eligible for full VR services first.

Pre-ETS has five parts:

• Job exploration counseling
• Work-based learning, like job shadowing, internships, and summer jobs
• Counseling about college and training programs
• Workplace readiness training, like social skills and getting to work on time
• Instruction in self-advocacy

Search programs for students and young adults

Project SEARCH is a one-year internship at a large employer, like a hospital or bank. Interns rotate through jobs and learn skills, with teachers and job coaches on site. There are hundreds of sites across the country.

Find Project SEARCH sites. Ask your school and VR office about summer jobs and paid internships too.

• College disability offices provide accommodations, but you have to ask for them. The IEP does not follow you to college.
• There are college programs for students with intellectual disability. Search them at Think College.
• Technical schools and apprenticeships lead to good jobs too. VR can help pay.
• College rights: Rights in college on IDD Atlas.

• If you get SSI and are a student under 22, the Student Earned Income Exclusion lets you keep up to $2,410 a month of earnings, up to $9,730 in 2026, without lowering your check.
• At 18, Social Security reviews SSI under adult rules, and only your own money counts. More: Turning 18 on IDD Atlas.
• Open an ABLE account to save your pay without losing SSI.