Self Advocacy for Graduating High School Students Project

Self Advocacy for Graduating High School Students • Project Goal/Objectives: Hearing Impaired high school students who are nearing graduation will view a Power. Point presentation with their teacher to increase knowledge of their rights under Section 504 and ADA. It is critical that they understand their rights since they are no longer protected by an IEP. Instead, the student must know what they are entitled to request at college or in the work place so that they can begin to selfadvocate for their own personal needs. • Abstract: This project was created for high school students attending their home schools, who are supported individually by a Hearing Itinerant Teacher. This presentation has been used successfully with both Deaf and Hard of Hearing seniors; It is appropriate for students who plan on attending college, as well as those who will be looking for employment upon their graduation. It has been effective in encouraging the student to identify what services they presently receive on their IEP, why these services will no longer automatically be provided to them, and encourages the student to begin thinking about what supports they may wish to request in the future. Using the technology of Power. Point is highly effective to present information to the Hearing Impaired population. It is an excellent visual teaching tool that allows for individualized guided discussion specific to a particular student as each slide is viewed. It can be viewed in its entirety in one high school period or viewed and discussed more slowly over a number of sessions. Appropriate supplemental in-depth handouts, specific to particular slides, have been given to students during viewing to be placed in a folder. Upon completion of the unit, the student is encouraged to keep their folder as a source of reference for the future.

Self-Advocacy As An Adult Knowing Your Rights

As a high school student with hearing loss, you receive services that are on your IEP n Sign language interpreters n Real-time transcription services

You may also be using these supports: n n Note-takers Useable telecommunications systems n n TTYs Volume-boosters on telephones FM systems Closed Captioning systems

Graduating from high school will be a special moment in your life! What will you do next? n Attend college? n Find employment?

No matter what you choose to do, graduating from high school brings more independence – and more personal responsibility!

Once you graduate, regardless of your plans, you will no longer have an IEP. Instead, Disability Rights Laws will ensure that you receive the support services that you may need to succeed. Graduating students with hearing impairment need to know how Disability Rights Laws can support them.

Why is it important to learn about Disability Rights Laws? n n Colleges and college teachers may not know about the rights of people with hearing loss Employers may not know about the rights of people with hearing loss You are the person who must know your rights and who to ask to get them!

The two important Disability Rights laws n n Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) Americans with Disabilities Acts (“ADA”) It is important that you understand what these laws say about your rights so that you can get what you need to succeed!

What is Section 504? Section 504 protects students’ rights as they move from high school to college by continuing some support services. SERVICES

How Section 504 protects you before college n You can take ACT or SAT admission tests with either A sign language interpreter n Written instructions n n Colleges cannot ask if you have a disability when you apply X

How Section 504 protects you at college n You are guaranteed equal opportunity to participate and benefit from all classes, programs, and extracurricular activities n The aids and support services you need are available at no cost to you

How do I get the support services I need when I get to college? n n The name of a person or office on campus that is responsible for helping you get services will be sent to you. Once you contact them, they will help you get notetakers, interpreters, tutoring, and any assistive technology that you may require.

Why is it important for me to learn the name of the person or office responsible for services? n Students who know where to ask for the help they need and know their rights under this law are much better equipped to succeed!

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? ADA protects people in: n Work settings n The community

How does ADA help you during hiring? n n n You can request an interpreter at your interview You can ask for a written test instead of a verbal test at the interview An employer may not refuse to hire you if you are qualified to do the job

• How ADA protects you on the job Your employer may not refuse to promote you if you are qualified to do the job n The employer must provide reasonable accommodations to help you do your job (if there are more than 15 employees) n

What are “reasonable accommodations” in the work place? TTYs n Amplified telephones n Assistive listening devices n Visual alerting systems n Sign Language Interpreters (for some circumstances) n

Some ways ADA protects you in the community n n Public transportation • Written or captioned announcements, departure/arrival times, etc. Telecommunications • Relay telephone systems, TTYs, and amplified phones • Closed Captioning

ADA also covers your ability to access public businesses and services with • • • Assistive listening devices Visual smoke detectors Tactile bed vibrators Cash registers facing customers Sign Language Interpreters Note-takers

Additional ADA protections • Government offices, courts, and attorneys • • Sign Language Interpreters Assistive Listening devices Medical treatment Barrier-free communication

You are now empowered with the knowledge you may need to help you succeed! But remember: It is your responsibility to know what you are entitled to receive and then you must let others know of your needs!

Good luck, future graduate!