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ADA. Americans with Disabilities Act – a civil rights act
that guarantees equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations,
state and local government services, employment, transportation, and telecommunications.
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BDS. Department of Behavioral & Developmental Services (State department) formerly known as the Department of
Mental Health, MentalRetardation, and Substance Abuse Services.
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DHHS. Department of Health and Human Services (State department).
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DOE. Department of Education (State department).
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Dreams/SNOW Chart. A transition-planning process used by many student-centered
teams in Maine to assist youth in developing post-high school goals.
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FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education). A right give to all children who participate in public education.
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IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). The federal law that sets the standards for educating students with
disabilities. Part of the law addresses transition services.
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IEP (Individual Education Plan). The annual plan agreed
upon by a team that outlines the services the school will provide for the coming year.
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IPE (Individual Plan for Employment). An employment
plan that is developed between a client and their Vocational Rehabilitation
Counselor that specifies services offered by Vocational Rehabilitation that will assist the client
in reaching their vocational goals.
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ISP (Individual Service Plan). This is the adult services equivalent of an IEP.
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PET (Pupil Evaluation Team). For students in the transition
age range, this team is required to develop a Transition Plan as part of a student’s IEP.
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Section 504. The section of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 that is a civil rights act. It prohibits federally funded organizations from discriminating
against an otherwise qualified individual solely on the basis of handicap.
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SMACT (Southern Maine Advisory Council on Transition). The
regional office of a statewide system called the Maine Transition Network/Committee on Transition (MTN/COT) that provides
information, training, and education related to transition planning.
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SSA (Social Security Administration). The federally funded program that administers SSI and SSDI.
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SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). A program administered
by Social Security that pays a money payment to qualified recipients.
One is eligible if one meets the disability definition and has sufficient
work history (earned credits). One can also be eligible without the work
credits, if as a child one of your parents is also disabled and eligible
for SSDI.
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SSI (Supplemental Security Income). Another program administered by
Social Security that pays a money payment to qualified recipients. One is eligible
if one meets the disability definition and is ether under 18 and the
family meets the income requirements; or is over 18 and individually
meets the income requirements.
