March/April, 2008 FORUM Article

 Highlighted Resources:
• O.C.E.C.D. Training Descriptions (PDF : 64k)

Students Learn 'It's My Turn'

"It's My Turn", a three-day workshop presented free by trainers from The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, is a self-determination curriculum for students with disabilities. "It's My Turn" is designed to make self-determination easier and to help students become self-advocates so they will under-stand the options and supports available to them in their life "after high school".

In the workshop, the question is asked, "How many of you are going to live with your parent's for the rest of your life?" Typically only one or two hands may sneak up and then go down quickly. There is also moaning and giggling heard amongst the participants in the room. Thus starts a transformation for many students participating in this workshop. They are given the opportunity to determine their preferences and match them to a career/occupation using a set of cards and multi-sensory activities. They become aware of their right to make choices and have a voice for their life. They begin to understand the happiness one feels when they make choices for themselves. AND at the same time, the consequences that go along with their choices. Time is taken to review and discuss the pros and cons of making their own decisions. Students share how quickly they learn the importance of speaking up for themselves as they realize that life after high school means that they will need to do just that! During the workshop, students also complete a draft transition plan of their choices to take to their IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting.

The skills considered necessary for successful outcomes of "It's My Turn" include: having dreams, goals, self confidence and belief in oneself, persistence, understanding what a competitive attitude can bring about, the ability to take constructive criticism and turn it into something positive for oneself, gaining the courage to stand up for ones beliefs, willingness to learn new things, study and practice, being observant of even the small things, learning to use supports, resources and ideas available to you, and finally taking all that you have learned and using it in the adult world.

In the past, this training has typically had a two-three year waiting list. Currently OCECD has multiple teams available to present "It's My Turn", eliminating the lengthy wait for schools to participate. For more information on scheduling an "It's My Turn" training in your school, contact Joy Cull at OCECD at 1-800-374-2806, ext. 24. To view an online presentation of "It's My Turn", go to www.ocecd.org.

IDEA It stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
But to me it stands for greatness.
Other people shut us out.
It's about helping kids with disabilities.
We reach for the stars.
We shine high in the sky when we get help.
It helps us figure out what we want to be.
So as I write this down on paper,
I say Thank you.

Submitted by Kyle Simmons and his parents David & Alice. Kyle is a student at Coventry High School who had just completed a three day "It's My Turn" self-determination Transition Workshop.