Transition to Employment
Learn more about services for work, transportation, and housing:
As individuals with disabilities prepare for life after high school, thoughtful planning in key areas can create a smoother path to independence. Understanding how to navigate employment supports, reliable transportation, and accessible housing can make the transition to adulthood more manageable and empowering. These foundational needs include earning an income, commuting to work, and securing a stable place to live are interconnected and require early exploration and coordination. The following sections offer guidance and resources to help students, families, and support teams address each of these essential pillars for adult living.
Understanding workplace accommodations is an important step in preparing for employment. Unlike supports in high school or college, workplace accommodations are not automatically provided. Employees are responsible for requesting the accommodations they need and working with their employer to determine what is reasonable and effective in a specific job setting.
Not sure how to start? This section introduces your rights, who can support you, and how to begin the conversation with an employer. For expert, real-world guidance, visit the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a national resource on workplace accommodations and disability employment.
Once you have been offered a position, you may request accommodations if needed. This process is typically initiated by you and may involve collaboration with a supervisor, human resources representative, vocational counselor, or medical professional. Employers may ask for current documentation, so keeping disability-related information up to date can be helpful.
It is important to recognize that accommodations used in school settings may not directly transfer to the workplace. Instead, accommodations are tailored to job responsibilities and essential functions. The goal is to support you in meeting the expectations of the role while maintaining productivity and independence.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are civil rights laws that protect individuals from discrimination based on disability. These laws ensure equal access and opportunity; however, all employees must still meet the qualifications and performance standards required for the position.
Planning Transportation to Work
Landing a job is a great accomplishment and knowing how you'll get to work is just as important. In Minnesota, individuals with disabilities have access to a wide range of transportation supports both in the Twin Cities metro and across Greater Minnesota.
Securing a job offer is only the beginning of planning how you'll travel to work consistently. Before starting a new job, it’s essential to develop a reliable plan for getting to and from the workplace. This involves exploring available transportation options, considering factors such as scheduling, distance, and accessibility. Early outreach to transportation providers helps ensure eligibility requirements and logistics are understood well in advance. Practicing the commute ahead of time—especially during peak hours—can help identify any barriers or timing issues. Having a backup plan in place adds an extra layer of confidence for consistent attendance.
In the Twin Cities, services like Metro Mobility offer door-to-door, shared-ride paratransit for certified individuals unable to use fixed-route transit. Metro Transit provides accessible buses, light rail, and BRT lines with ADA-compliant stations and vehicles. Additional options include Midwest Paratransit Services (wheelchair-accessible rides in the metro area), Reach for Resources (serving suburbs like Bloomington and Edina), and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) and SouthWest Transit, which offer fixed routes, on-demand options, and microtransit like MVTA Connect.
In Greater Minnesota, accessible transit exists across many regions are just under different local names. For example, Arrowhead Transit provides Dial‑A‑Ride and volunteer driver services in northeastern counties; St. Cloud Metro Bus and Duluth’s STRIDE serve their cities with both fixed-route and paratransit options. Community Transit offers scheduled and on-demand rides across southwestern counties. No matter where you live, Minnesota Ride Link and your local County Human Services office can help you identify transportation options and apply for services.
No matter your location, plan early: reach out to local providers, ask about eligibility, try routes during college orientation or before your first day, and ensure you have reliable options that match your schedule and access needs.
Housing Planning and Resources
Planning where and how to live after high school is an important part of preparing for greater independence. Housing needs vary based on support needs, finances, accessibility, and location. Students may want to live independently, with roommates, in college housing, or in a supported setting. Exploring options early helps identify safe, affordable, and accessible housing that aligns with individual goals.
Students should talk with their IEP team, case manager, counselor, or other support providers about housing goals, daily living support needs, affordability, transportation, and accessibility features. It is also important to understand tenant rights and available programs that support housing access, stability, and long-term independence.
Housing Planning Checklist
- Start early and explore options during high school.
- Talk with your team about goals and support needs.
- Consider daily living supports such as medication or personal care.
- Evaluate affordability, including rent, utilities, and financial supports.
- Research accessibility to meet physical access needs.
- Explore housing types such as apartments, supported living, or dorms.
- Visit and tour housing options when possible.
- Learn tenant rights under the Fair Housing Act and ADA.
- Create a transition plan for move-in and independent living.
- Use available resources for guidance and support.
Quick Resource List
- Housing Access Services (HAS) – Support with moving into housing
- Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) – Help finding and keeping housing through Medicaid
- Housing Support / MSA Housing Assistance – Rent assistance based on income
- Section 811 PRA – Community-based supportive housing for long-term needs
- Accessibility and Fair Housing Information – Minnesota housing standards and protections
- Disability Hub MN / Linkage Line – Help navigating local housing resources
- Minnesota Housing – Tools, programs, and planning support
Employment Work Resources
Preparing for employment after high school involves more than finding a job. It includes understanding workplace expectations, identifying strengths and interests, and learning how to access supports that help you succeed on the job. Early exploration and planning can help students build confidence, develop workplace skills, and connect to meaningful employment opportunities.
Students are encouraged to work with their transition team, including teachers, counselors, and employment specialists, to explore career options and gain real-world experience. Activities such as informational interviews, job shadowing, and work-based learning help students better understand different career paths and the skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce.
Know your supports: Many individuals benefit from workplace accommodations and guidance when entering the workforce. Resources like the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provide practical strategies for requesting and implementing accommodations, while informational interviews offer valuable insight into real job experiences and employer expectations.
The following sections provide tools and strategies to support employment planning, including how to explore careers through informational interviews and how to access workplace accommodations that support long-term success.
Career Pathways
Career pathways help students connect their interests, strengths, and skills to future education, training, and employment opportunities. Exploring career pathways gives students a clearer understanding of the steps they can take after high school, whether that includes college, technical education, apprenticeships, military service, or direct entry into the workforce.
For students with disabilities, career pathway planning is an important part of transition preparation. It helps students identify possible career goals, understand the education or training needed, and build the academic, technical, and employability skills that support long-term success. Career pathway exploration can also help students and their teams make informed decisions about courses, work-based learning experiences, credentials, and support services.
Why this matters: When students understand the range of options available to them, they are better able to make choices that align with their goals, preferences, and support needs. Career pathway planning encourages informed decision-making and helps students move forward with greater confidence and purpose.
The following sections provide information and resources to help students explore career pathways, identify next steps, and connect school experiences to future opportunities in education and employment.