Key Definitions
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities. Subtitle A protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability in the services, programs, or activities of all State and local governments. 

Educational Program is a term used to include secondary education programs, non-traditional or alternative secondary education programs, home schooling, post-secondary education programs, GED, vocational/technical programs, short term training programs such as CNA, and other recognized educational programs. Educational programs should lead to a recognized credential of education.

Extended School Year (ESY) is a term used to define special education and related services provided for children with disabilities during periods when school is not in session.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools provide transition services to students with disabilities beginning at age 16 and link these students to appropriate adult service providers. Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) Rule 51 allows transition planning to begin at a younger age if determined appropriate by the Individual Education Program (IEP) team.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) means a written statement for a child with a verified disability that is developed, reviewed and revised in a meeting annually and specifies the special education and related services necessary to assure the child a free appropriate public education.

Informed choice is the process of Nebraska VR staff providing each adult and student applicant, with a disability or medical condition, information about the available support services to assist them with their vocational rehabilitation process. Information will be presented in the communication style that will best meet the applicants needs. Informed choice exists when a person has the opportunity to make a decision based on relevant facts and information.

Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MDT) means a group of qualified professionals and the parent whose responsibility is to evaluate the abilities and needs of a child referred for evaluation and to determine whether or not the child meets the definition of a child with a disability.

Nebraska Youth Leadership Council is a group of young leaders from across the entire state of Nebraska who want to make a difference in the lives of other students with disabilities. NYLC believes that young people should have a voice in the things that affect them and hope to better the existing services provided to young people through outreach efforts.

Pre-Employment Transition Services Coordinator is a Nebraska VR staff member who assists students with disabilities prepare for post high school education, training, and employment through the provision of pre-employment transition services.

Potentially eligible:
Students/youth with a disability who have not yet applied or been made eligible for VR services
Students with a signed Pre-Employment Transition Consent and Release Form are "potentially eligible"

Project SEARCH high school transition program is a unique, business led, one- year, school-to work program that takes place entirely at the workplace during a student's last year of high school. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration and hands-on training through worksite rotations. 

Student Record System (SRS) is an online records system that maintains MDT reports, IEPs, and other documentation related to a student’s special education status and is used by many school districts in Nebraska. Some schools will grant Nebraska VR staff access to records on this system for students who are VR clients.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. A 504 is an educational plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an educational institution receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment.

Student with a disability:
Ages 14-21
Eligible for and receiving special education services or related services under IDEA or an individual with a disability for the purposes of section 504
In an educational program, which includes secondary education programs, non-traditional or alternative secondary education programs, home schooling, post-secondary education programs, other recognized educational programs, such as those offered through the juvenile justice system

Youth with a disability:
Ages 14-24
• No requirement that a youth with a disability be participating in an education program

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federal legislation passed in July 2014 that requires state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies to coordinate with schools for students with disabilities regarding Pre-Employment Transition Services.

Work Based Learning (WLB) is an educational approach or instructional methodology that uses the workplace or real work to provide students with the knowledge and the skills that will help them connect school experiences to real-life work activities and future career opportunities. It is essential that direct employer or community involvement be a component of the WLB to ensure in-depth student engagement. These opportunities are meant to engage, motivate and augment the learning process. WBL requires  an evaluation of acquired work relevant skills.

Worksite Skills Trainer teaches students specific job duties and job tasks required to perform the job in conjunction with a work based learning experience. The worksite skills trainer can also provide work readiness skills training at the worksite during the course of the work based learning experience.