FAMILY CENTER ON DEAFNESS

TRANSITIONS

Deaf and hard of hearing young adults receive support in making the change from students in high school to living on their own, whether they choose to further their own education or enter the work force.

Activities focus on the Decision Maker: A Student-Directed Transition Program published by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. The fundamental objectives of the program are:

For deaf and hard of hearing young adults to
• learn what they may have missed in the area of cognitive and affective skills that support decision-making and goal setting.
• age-appropriate choices and assume responsibility for these choices.
• learn how to advocate for themselves.
• work with staff who have the appropriate materials for communicating and providing specialized support for their transitional needs.
• improve their literacy in transition-related programs.

As expressed by one individual commenting on the needs of deaf high school students:

“I would change the system of promoting dependency and develop a process for teaching students decision making skills, taking responsibility for their actions, and how to learn from mistakes.”

A Program of the James B. Sanderlin Family Service Center

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