At the June 2015 International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals Board Meeting, the board adopted a new section devoted to vocational rehabilitation services targeted toward students transitioning from school to work, education/training, independent living, and community participation. The following August, the board appointed Elizabeth Watson as the first chair of the new section and as the section representative to the IARP Board of Directors. At this time, the section does not have a name, but IARP is analyzing the possible names that would best fit the needs of its members and would inform other professionals and the public of the services it provides. Why is this happening? In the spring of 2015, IARP had a very well-attended and well received advanced training in VR and education and law event. Judging by how the event went, IARP realized that there was a genuine need for a section that deals with transition services. As the board envisions it, the new IARP section will be the leading professional association of choice for rehabilitation professionals serving special education students and providing transition services and will be a professional resource for others seeking information on rehabilitation transition services. This is an exciting time to be an IARP member, as this section will channel new, numerous opportunities in the field of rehabilitation to its members; there is great demand for vocational assessments and high-standard services by qualified professionals from students, parents, school districts, and even attorneys and advocates, who need people to which they can refer their special education clients. In addition, the Department of Justice is addressing the need for equal access to employment for special education students, and this will only drive up the demand for VR professionals who practice transition planning The new section will seek to position IARP as the nexus for VR professionals specializing in transition services. This will be achieved through multiple goals:
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