Originally published here.

Transitions are very important in human lives. A transition can refer to roles, locations or relationshipschange. Transition from school to work is about choices, about career options, living and socialarrangements, economic options that may have long consequences in one’s life. For people withdisabilities this kind of transition is often very difficult, due to several limitations - imposed by othersview of disability and by the complexity of the services intended to support this transition (Williams-Diehm & Lynch, 2007) This becomes more obvious when considering the percentage of people withdisabilities employed. The percentage is much lower in Romania - 4, 22% (Asociatia RENINCORomania, 2011) - then the average one in the EU countries - 50% (European Commission, 2010)Analyzing the causes is a very difficult and complex undertaking.

One explanation for this disparity is the lack of support for youngsters with disabilities during the transition period – from school to work - inRomania. The research field on this topic is quite poor - particularly in Romania. We discovered forinstance that while the practice of designing an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) is very widespread in EUcountries and USA, in Romania this is almost unknown. That is why this study - a comparative one - isreviewing the literature and legislation in various countries, including Romania and is trying to identifygaps and to find solutions for the improvement of this area in Romania.

Even if many positive changes took place in Romania concerning the policies and practices for personswith disabilities, there are still gaps: lack of services to support the transition and lack of individual planning for the transition - from school to work - at youngsters with disabilities. Legislative changes andscientific activities are needed to bridge these gaps. Scientific debates and action research can precede orgo along with the legislative actions.

Objectives of the study

- To identify how the transition support for youngsters with disabilities is designed internationally andin Romania;

- To document the Individual Transition Plan for youngsters with disabilities internationally, with somesuggestions for Romania.

You can read the complete article here.