Written Testimony to Support the Act to Promote the Successful Transition of Students with Disabilities to Post-Secondary Education, Employment, and Independent Living

I, Brian McLaughlin, Esquire, am writing to support H159, An Act to Promote the Successful Transition of Students with Disabilities to Post-Secondary Education, Employment, and Independent Living. This bill is sponsored by Representative Sannicandro and Senator Tolman. This legislation is critically important because it will provide a necessary advocate for young adults with disabilities as they engage in the transition process. A successful transition will allow those with disabilities to live more meaningful and productive lives and  to break through the economic ceiling as this critical population has been historically unemployed and underemployed, as evidenced by the most recent data of the ABA Disability Statistics Report of 2011. Increased independence and employment leads to a better sense of self. A transition coordinator as proposed by this bill would allow for such socio-economic success.

My story is similar to many others. I grew up with Cerebral Palsy and an accompanying visual impairment. I attended the local public school and had an IEP. I excelled academically and, from a purely academic standpoint, my school prepared me well for college. However, where my school failed was in preparing me with the life skills and social skills necessary for the transition to college and beyond. Specifically, I would have benefited from a transition coordinator teaching me about accessible public transportation, getting around campus, helping with college visits, working with facilities people, as well as connecting with ADA professionals and programs. 

I was fortunate enough to have a supportive family and was a strong self-advocate, meeting with every ADA coordinator myself, and pressing each one of the university coordinators on their accommodation procedures. Transition not only encompasses reasonable accommodations in a new classroom, but also meant that I would have to navigate around campus safely while being visually impaired. A transition coordinator could have been a great resource in knowing what questions to ask each university and providing me with resources such as the phone number of an accessible taxi service.

I view transition as a process from the time that a student is 14 all the way through matriculation. I use the word “process” because it does not happen overnight. I struggled often throughout my transition years, being unable to independently use the restroom and attend class. When I finally received my wheelchair that allowed me to use the restroom independently, fasten my clothes shut myself and  be able to attend class independently, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment. Had I not been such a strong self advocate with a supportive family and friends, there is absolutely no way that I would have achieved this independence, gone on to college and achieved success. I view the transition coordinator as a mentor/ liaison between the student’s selected university or program and the family, providing information about resources and guidance during his or her transition period.

A transition coordinator would be just as equally beneficial to an individual with a cognitive disability, providing both the parent and the student information on work opportunities, independent living and potential social activities. This critical population is entitled to everything that society has to offer whether it be socially, economically, or to live independently.

I realize in these difficult economic times to fund a disability coordinator for each and every school across the state may seem like an impossible task. However, examined in a strict cost/ benefit analysis, the benefits far outweigh the costs to employ a transition coordinator as those with disabilities will become a more integral part of society as a direct result of better transition planning.

                                                Sincerely yours,

                                                Brian McLaughlin, Esq.

Welcome!

This blog intends to provide parents with resources for their special needs child; information equals power.  This blog will provide you with such power from both a professional and personal perspective.  I myself am in a wheelchair.  Being diagnosed with cerebral palsy from birth, as well as being a lawyer, I understand the struggle for access to education from a uniquely personal and professional standpoint.  I understand what it means not to be included in school activities.  I understand what it means to engage in transition planning.  I understand the challenges of what is and what is not a reasonable accommodation.  From my personal and professional experience I can provide real-world solutions to very difficult problems.

I grew up in Easton, Massachusetts and attended Oliver Ames High School as a mainstream student with an academic aide in the classroom. Following high school, I then went on to Boston College and Boston College Law School.  While at Boston College.  I also participated in extracurricular activities including being a member of the varsity swim team and developing a campus access plan.  Additionally, during one of my summers as an undergrad, I worked in the Massachusetts Office on Disabilities. After attending Boston College Law School I worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for two years.  Now I am a solo practitioner seeking to provide families who are confronted with the challenges of having children with special needs information and resources so that they may navigate through the school system and obtain the free and appropriate public education to which they are entitled, regardless of any disability.  I've recently been placed on the Board of Special Education appeals referral list and am the first individual to be placed on this list.  This means that I can represent families in front of the Board to advocate for your child’s rights in the school setting to the best of my abilities. I look forward to serving those in need using my personal and professional experiences to be an effective advocate.

Charitable service is at the core of my life.  I'm involved with Easter Seals, whose mission is to allow children and adults with disabilities to “live, learn, work and play".  As part of Easter Seals I participate in the adaptive technology loan committee providing low-cost loans to individuals who may need assistive technology. Assistive technologies are the means by which someone with a disability would be able to operate a computer, be able to drive a van or turn on a light switch if they were unable to do so.  I'm writing this blog with Dragon Naturally Speaking software, one of these adaptive technologies.  I also use a screen reader as I am visually impaired.  I only share these pieces of information to let you know that I understand your child's struggles.  Blog posts in the future will discuss various educational topics including: the new bullying statute in Massachusetts, information about what constitutes a disability, and what exactly is a free and appropriate education.  I look forward to being an informational resource to parents in need; please visit http://www.bmjrlaw.com/ for more information about me and my services. I offer solutions to parents by visiting with them in a one on one setting to help them overcome challenges they may be facing.