This application proposes to create an early intervention model for assisting in the transition to postsecondary education for students with disabilities. Drake will develop this model over three years and continue services after funding is completed. The project focuses on students with disabilities in their first year on campus and is designed to:

• Reduce the difficulties new students have in identifying and requesting necessary accommodations through an early intervention, self identification and self determination approach.
• Involve the active intervention of a rehabilitation specialist in the transition process during a student's first semester on campus.
• Develop and implement an orientation program for college and help establish social and academic support groups early in the semester.
• Provide technical assistance, support and consultation to university faculty regarding appropriate classroom accommodations in a postsecondary setting.
• Be outcome oriented by actively developing students' self determination skills early enough in their college career to significantly impact on retention and the completion of a four year degree.

The overall purpose of the Project is to improve the options and potential for students with disabilities to enter and be successful in a postsecondary institution and eventually secure satisfactory employment. The Project will apply an approach to transition services that brings together students with disabilities, parents, high school teachers, counselors and university personnel in a way that provides intensive early intervention and ongoing support servies to new students. This service will be made available to all students with disabilities entering Drake University. To meet this goal, the following objectives have been established:

• To facilitate the development of self determination skills in high school seniors interested in attending Drake upon graduation.
• To provide intensive transition support and enhance the retention rate of students with disabilities.
• To provide ongoing consultation on disability and accommodation issues to faculty, staff and students.
• To disseminate information on services to students with disabilities to AEA staff, special education teachers, parents, stduents, and private colleges.