Have questions?
For additional information or questions please contact Alex Elegudin, Director of the Postsecondary Readiness Project at Advocates for Children.
Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) leads the Transition Alliance, a coalition of organizations and individuals who have come together to improve transition services for students with disabilities in New York City. The Alliance aims to create a more equitable, accessible, and effective transition landscape that prepares students with disabilities for college, employment, independent living, and other post-secondary pursuits. We believe that successful transition planning requires a comprehensive approach that values diverse pathways and provides students with the necessary tools, opportunities, and supports. The Alliance seeks to increase post-secondary success for students with disabilities by addressing gaps in the current system, promoting collaboration among stakeholders, and advocating for policy changes that enhance transition services and outcomes.
Our Priorities
To create more comprehensive and inclusive transition planning in NYC Public Schools, we are focusing on the following policy priorities:
- Improving Transition Information for Students and Families: Enhancing transition resources and information for students with disabilities and their families. This includes improving online resources, increasing access to high-quality trainings, and ensuring consistent communication throughout the transition process.
- Dedicated Transition Support: Advocating for every high school student with an IEP to have access to qualified, dedicated transition planning support.
- Quality Transition Assessments: Ensuring every student with an IEP receives a standardized, high-quality, and evidence-based transition assessment annually. These assessments will evaluate students’ interests and abilities to inform effective transition planning.
- Equitable Work-Based Learning Opportunities: Ensuring equitable access to NYCPS work-based learning initiatives for students with disabilities and English Language Learners. Our goal is to broaden participation and improve outcomes in these valuable programs.
- Enhanced Vocational Rehabilitation Services: Improving access and coordination of ACCES-VR services for NYC high school students with disabilities.
Our Members
The Transition Alliance brings together a diverse group of organizations and individuals committed to improving transition outcomes for students with disabilities in NYC. Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of students with disabilities, setting them on a path to success in college, career, and beyond.
Member Organizations
- ADAPT Community Network
- Adaptive Design Association
- Defensores de los niños de Nueva York
- AHRC New York City
- Bridges from School to Work (NYC)
- Center for Independence of the Disabled New York (CIDNY)
- Community Inclusion & Development Alliance (CIDA)
- The City University of New York
- CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities
- DegreesNYC (Goddard)
- The Door
- ExpandED Schools
- Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies
- Institute for Career Development
- IncludeNYC
- Internationals Network
- JobPath
- New Alternatives for Children
- New Visions for Public Schools
- New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
- Tech Kids Unlimited
- Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (NYC/Westchester)
- Quality Services for the Autism Community
Individual Members
- Jenn Choi, Advocate
- Pooja Vekaria, Advocate
- Shirren Khan, Advocate
- Ellen McHugh, Advocate
- Susana Montes, Advocate
