Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Employment - Youth Development

Youth Development and youth leadership are critical to helping youth with disabilities meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood.

Youth Development and youth leadership are critical to helping youth with disabilities meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. It is important that they learn the leadership skills and self-advocacy skills needed for achieving their postsecondary employment goals and success in the workplace. Evidence-based practices that have proven effective in preparing youth for employment is teaching self-advocacy.

Transition Planning: The Basics External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF; 54MB)
Youth development and leadership are referenced on page 22-23 and page 26 of this guide.

These pages also provide information on how to comply with elements 1-6 of the Indicator 13 requirements of the California Annual Performance Report (APR) External link opens in new window or tab..

Self-Advocacy

Wright’s Law External link opens in new window or tab.
Site shares articles, resources for understanding self-advocacy.

Disability Rights Advocates External link opens in new window or tab.
This non-profit organization works to promote equal rights, fair treatment and opportunities for people with disabilities. The site offers information on how to get help if you feel your rights have been violated.

California Transition Alliance External link opens in new window or tab.
Resources for youth, including the Let's Work! California Networking Activity Guide

Taking Charge of Your Education External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)
A toolkit develop by Talent Knows No Limits. Helps youth develop their transition plan.

ACT: Advocating Change Together External link opens in new window or tab.
Self Advocacy tips for individuals with disabilities written by individuals with disabilities.

Job Accommodations

Job Accommodations Network External link opens in new window or tab.
This site provides extensive information on disability rights, Americans with Disabilities Act and accommodations. The information briefs describe disabilities to employers and family members.

Questions:   Programs and Partnerships Unit | PPL@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Trending in Special Education
Recently Posted in Special Education
  • WAI Executive Meeting June 26, 2025 (added 16-Jun-2025)
    WorkAbility I (WAI) State Advisory Executive Committee Meeting Agenda.
  • Annual Performance Report Measures (updated 10-Jun-2025)
    Short summaries of special education program and student outcome data for California local educational agencies (LEAs).
  • ACSE Agenda June 4-5, 2025 (updated 02-Jun-2025)
    Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE) meeting agenda.
  • IEP Implementation Data Collection (added 28-May-2025)
    This page provides information about the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Implementation data collection, an annual collection of local educational agency (LEA) level data related to their performance of implementation of IEPs.
  • Postsecondary Goals and Transition Services (added 22-May-2025)
    Letter to provide an update for local educational agencies (LEAs) regarding the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 438- Pupils with Exceptional Needs: Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): Postsecondary Goals and Transition Services (2023–2024).

  • Small Local Educational Agencies Monitoring (updated 08-May-2025)
    This is the home page for all monitoring activities for local educational agencies (LEAs) that have been designated as “small” LEAs.
  • CALPADS Special Education Data Spring Roadshows (updated 08-May-2025)
    California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS) Regional trainings in Spring 2025 to inform local educational agencies (LEAs) with updates and changes to the collection of data for students with disabilities.