Building a Successful Adult Life: Findings From Youth-Directed Research

Abstract

Although transition outcomes for youth with disabilities have shown some improvement and transition support practices have been identified, many young people continue to face transition barriers that preclude their full participation in key adult life activities. While research efforts have largely been professionally driven, there is emerging literature suggesting that the use of participatory, empowerment methodologies may bolster the identification of appropriate research methods and useful solutions to problems, as well as promoting the application of findings to accomplishing practice and policy improvements. The purpose of this study was to use a youth-directed, participatory action methodology to investigate youths' perceptions of the value of transition promotion experiences identified as effective by professionals, and to examine the level at which youth with disabilities participate in those experiences. A survey was developed and administered to 202 young people with disabilities by leaders from the National Youth Leadership Network. Findings indicated that youth generally endorse the importance of validated transition promotion practices; however, they reported having limited opportunity to participate in them. Implications related to the use of participatory action methodologies and needed practice and policy improvements are discussed.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The National Youth Leadership Network is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, National Council on Disability, Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and U.S. Department of Labor. The opinions expressed herein are exclusively ours, and no official endorsement by federal agency sponsors should be inferred.