Pathways Volume 4 | September 2021
Transition Planning: Why is it important?
Transition planning is a process that helps students with disabilities decide what they want to do after high school. It also helps them figure out how to get there.

According to Madison County School District's Transition Coordinator Tarea Stout, when a student turns 14, there is a section in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is like a road map for their future.

"The transition plan sets goals for the student – both current and future," said Tarea. "It asks many questions: What does the student want to do as a job? Do they want to go to college? Do they want to live on their own, or do they want to live at home?"

The transition plan looks at the student's goals and determines what is needed to get to those goals. Students can then start exploring their options. "You don't want to wait for opportunities to begin exploring what's out there and limit your view," said Tarea.

Transition planning is the beginning of students learning to advocate for themselves in a safe place.

"That IEP meeting can be extremely intimidating for everybody at the table," said Tarea. "But know that the team is there for you – the student. Begin to share your ideas and what you want to do."

"Don't wait until it's your last year in high school. Start in seventh grade by looking at what it is that you like and don't like. Sometimes students say they don't want to do something, but they've never tried it. Exploring career opportunities in your community and sharing your ideas and thoughts is a great place to start exhibiting even more self-advocacy," said Tarea.

It is recommended that students keep attending their IEP meetings, especially their annual meetings, which plan for the following year. "I love it when we have students who come to their meeting and have really thought out what it is they want to do," said Tarea.

Students can also call their own IEP meetings. "I've had that happen, and it's really special. When you have a student say, 'This is what I want, and this is how I get there,' that makes me feel good because we have a student that wants to guide their own career. Students can do that at any point, which we love to see," said Tarea.

Transitioning from high school can be challenging for students, especially those that will be attending college. Those students will now oversee their own planning.

"After students leave high school, they become in charge of leading their own course – being their own voice. I recommend students entering college for the first year sign up for Disability Services right away," said Tarea.

"There are services that you get in high school that are not available in college. But there are services you can still get," said Tarea. "Ask for everything that you feel you could benefit from – extended time, a note-taker. It depends on your individual need."

College tours are important because they give students the opportunity to learn what each college provides. Signing up early for services should also be a priority.

"Throughout public school, students have had their educational path managed by others. Once you leave high school, nobody is doing that for you. That's one of the reasons why I say students should go to their IEP meetings," said Tarea. "That is a great training ground to practice. You will then be comfortable going into those college programs saying, 'This is what I need and why I need it.' Don't take it for granted that it's just going to happen."

A great resource for students transitioning out of high school is the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS).

"Their goal is to get you to work. They're going to help you figure out your goals and how to reach them," said Tarea. "They may be able to help you pay for college or parts of it. Their program is individualized. Everyone has different goals and different needs."

MDRS can also connect students to internships, which allows for work experience and helps students determine if the job is best suited for them.

Another great resource for students with disabilities is Mississippi's ID/DD Waiver Program. The waiver provides individualized supports and services to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities to assist them in living successfully at home and in the community.

"As soon as you have a diagnosis – even in preschool – get evaluated through the diagnostic and evaluation center in your region," said Tarea. "There's a long waiting list for those services – so don't wait."

Students that have work experience will have more success in the future.

"We encourage our students to learn some basic work skills – whether it is in their home or community," said Tarea. "Finding those safe environments to gain work experience can be challenging, but there are opportunities – you just have to look for them."

Having good, quality support is significant for young students.

"When I think of support, it can come in many forms. The good thing about having an IEP is that you have a whole team of people to support you and hear your needs. Support in and out of the classroom is also essential," said Tarea.

Getting connected to adult and community-based services that have programs allows students to create an even bigger circle of support.

"When you see people that don't have support, they don't have as many people on their team. The bigger the team, the more accountability and connections the students will have." 
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
MDRS Disability Employment Webinar Series
MS Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS): Who Are We?

Monday, October 4
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

MDRS is often referred to as state government’s “best kept secret”. This session provides you with a look into each of the agency’s four major programs (Vocational Rehabilitation, Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind, Office of Special Disability Programs and Disability Determination Services) and points you to valuable resources available.

Pre-Employment Transition Services 

Monday, October 11
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), MDRS works with students with disabilities beginning at age 14. MDRS helps them transition from college to career, depending on their own personal goals. These services are invaluable to parents and potentially life changing for students. This one-hour session could save you time and money down the road.

Job Placement Services

Monday, October 18
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Finding a job may be easy on your own, but finding a career and a support system to sustain you may not be. That is where the resources and expertise of the MDRS Team comes in and works for YOU. Your plan, their help. It’s a win/win all the way around!

Saving your income with a Mississippi ABLE account

Monday, October 25
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are now available to help individuals with disabilities save and invest money, as they have not been able to before. This session helps you understand ABLE, determine if it is right for you/your child/your family, and shows you where to get more information or signup.  Considering ABLE or just learning about it, you won’t want to miss this session designed just for parents.

Poem by Watson Dollar
INSTITUTE FOR DISABILITY STUDIES UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS
Get College Ready
What: College Prep Training Series
Who: 11th and 12th Grade Students with Disabilities and their Parents
When: October 23 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Where: Virtual through Zoom

Students will learn:
  • Differences in high school and college
  • What disability services are in college
  • Planning activities for your junior and senior years...HOW TO GET PREPARED

Parents will:
  • Talk with other parents who have direct experience with college
  • Learn resources and services

For more information, contact Jerry Alliston, at jerry.alliston@usm.edu, or call (601) 266-5979
Career Informational Interviews 2021

Mark your calendars and plan to participate! These informational interviews are for youth and young adults with disabilities ages 14-21.

To register, contact Beth Robertson, Transition Specialist with IDS at beth.robertson@usm.edu, or call (228) 214-3422.
Reoccurring Events at IDS
Adulting 101 Series

Want to be more social?
Want to be more independent?
Want to new learn new skills?

What: Weekly Adulting Groups
Who: Youth/Young Adults (students) with disabilities ages 14-21
When: Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Where: Virtual through Zoom
(Link will be provided)
Registration Required

To register, contact Beth Robertson, Transition Specialist with IDS at beth.robertson@usm.edu, or call (228) 214-3422.
Social Groups

Want to be more social?
Want to make new friends?
Want to play interactive games with friends?

What: Weekly Social Groups
Who: Students including those with disabilities
When: Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Where: USM Gulfpark Campus
Registration Required

To register, contact Beth Robertson, Transition Specialist with IDS at beth.robertson@usm.edu, or call (228) 214-3422.
Cole's Law Prohibits Organ Transplant Discrimination for People with Disabilities
in Mississippi
Cole's Law, also referred to as House Bill 191, was formed out of a mother's desire to help individuals from being denied a life-saving organ transplant by medical providers based solely on their physical or mental disability.

There is currently no law in Mississippi that prohibits this kind of discrimination.

"I was online one day and saw a post about organ transplant discrimination. I didn't even know there was such a thing," said Cara Sims, the mother who spearheaded Cole's Law.

"The thought came to me that if at any time Cole was to need an organ transplant and I was told that he didn't qualify or he would be placed lower on the waiting list because he has Down syndrome, I don't know what I would do as a mom," said Cara.

In her disbelief, Cara knew she had to do something to protect her son and others. She contacted the person who made the post and was put in touch with Wayne Pearl. "He was instrumental in getting Evie's Law passed in Louisiana," said Cara. "He has been my mentor throughout all of this, and he told me step-by-step what I needed to do to get the processes going."

First, Cara needed to find a member of the Mississippi Legislature that would carry the bill. She reached out to her former pastor, Lee Yancey. He was not a representative at the time, but he was running for election.

"Lee knows Cole. He knows my family, and we have that connection, so I knew he would be the best person to fight for this bill. When I reached out to him and asked him, he said he would be honored. A couple of months later, he was elected, and it went from there," said Cara.

There are currently 29 states with non-discrimination laws in place – 13 passed in 2021.

Cole's Law was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2020. It passed in the House, but shortly after, the pandemic hit. Once the legislation reconvened, the bill died in the Senate. In 2021, Cole's Law never made it to the House.

"It was never even given a chance," said Cara. "The Chairman of the Public Health and Human Services Committee chose not to bring it to the table, so it was never considered for a vote."

Cara is hopeful that 2022 will be the year that the bill passes. Representative Yancey will refile the bill when the session begins on January 4, 2022. "At that time, it is critical that everyone contacts their local representative and the legislature to let them know that you want them to support Cole's Law," said Cara.

Cara has established a Facebook Group called Cole's Law – Mississippi that supporters of the bill can join. She will post updates and tell followers how they can continue to support the bill.

"This bill is so important to me because I never know what could happen with my son. Right now, I don't foresee any reason why he would need an organ transplant, but we never know what the future holds," said Cara.

Cara recalls a conversation she had with Kathleen Kirwan-Haynie, who was instrumental in getting Daniel's Law passed in Texas. "Kathleen had a brother with Down syndrome, and he was taking medication that caused him to have kidney issues. He eventually needed a kidney transplant to live," said Cara.

Daniel was denied a kidney even after his siblings offered to be tested to see if they were a match. "They didn't even take that into consideration, and Daniel eventually passed away," said Cara. "Just the thought of something like that happening to my son or anyone in Mississippi with a disability is unspeakable. That shouldn't happen to anyone."

Cara added, "Just because the doctor saw Down syndrome, they didn't see Daniel as a person – they saw his disability. And that needs to change. It's time for Mississippi to step up and do something to protect its citizens."

When asked why she thinks it has taken Mississippi so long to pass an organ transplant discrimination law, she said, "I don't know why the legislature doesn't see that this is important enough to pass through. I don't know. We haven't been given an answer why. I wish I knew."

Now is the time for Mississippians to take action. Cara said that sharing personal stories are the best, but phone calls and emails can be just as effective. The more personal, the better. Cara said she would provide a pre-written statement for people to use as a template on her Facebook Group, Cole's Law – Mississippi.

When asked what motivates her to keep pushing to pass this bill, she said it was Cole.

"I'll keep fighting until I can't fight anymore because he's worth it, and every child and every person with a disability is worth it. To have to fight for this in 2021 is just unimaginable. I don't understand why people with disabilities are not seen as any other person," said Cara. "Why do people have to fight for equal healthcare as anyone else? Their lives are valuable and worthy. At any point, any of us could become disabled. It shouldn't have to affect us personally for it to matter to us."

If you would like more information about Cole's Law or how you can help, message Cara through her Facebook Group, Cole's Law – Mississippi
(601) 969-0601 - Office