SEATTLE, WA — The Center for Change in Transition Services (CCTS) at Seattle University announces the release of T-Folio, a free, interactive online platform developed for youth with disabilities in Washington state and the school and agency personnel who support them.
The T-Folio is designed for youth ages 16-25 who are in the process of transitioning from high school to adult life. Through a series of exercises and the support of a facilitator, youth complete transition portfolios (T-Folios) that focus on building self-determination and job readiness skills. Activities are student-centered and emphasize the youth’s role as a leader in setting and achieving goals for the future.
“It’s helped me collect my information, and just helped me look back on it when I have my conferences and see what I need to work on better, like grades,” says Nia Alvarado, a third-year student at Washington High School. Her teacher, Jacob Robinson, helped to pilot T-Folio last year and provide feedback on its development. Nia plans to join the Coast Guard after high school and wants to become a forensic science technician. “T-Folio has opened my eyes and shown me that actually I do need to try if I want to make a living in life.”
T-Folio was created by CCTS at Seattle University with funding from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). It is licensed under Creative Commons to encourage widespread use and adaptation. “We are eager for DVR counselors, teachers, and others to use T-Folio to support young people in identifying postsecondary goals and develop plans to reach those goals, all while building self-determination skills,” says Dr. Cinda Johnson, Associate Director of Special Education at Seattle University and the Principal Investigator for CCTS. “A big thanks to our partners at DVR who supported this development.”
T-Folio curriculum aligns with Individual Education Program (IEP) transition planning, DVR Pre-Employment Transition Service categories, and the CCTS Transition Services Flowchart. Many of the activities align with the High School and Beyond Plan required for all students for graduation.
The T-Folio and T-Folio training materials are available online at www.cctsTfolio.com. Please note that the platform operates best when using Chrome internet browser.
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CCTS envisions a world where all individuals live with independence and self-sufficiency. Our mission is to improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.
For more information, please visit www.seattleu.edu/ccts or email ccts@seattleu.edu.