One In Five for Sunday 27 September 2009

Well, as another school term finishes, you've got to wonder where the year's gone. This is a time for senior students to map out their next venture - whether that be the polytech, university or maybe a job. Helping them to make those choices are events like the Coca cola career expos held around the country each year…But what about the disabled students who've been in special schools or units and who've stayed there until they turn 21 - when legally they have to move on? What prospects for the polytech, university or job, let alone career? That's all seemed 'pie-in-the-sky'. Until recently, thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Education and other government agencies. They've been putting money into what's called transition services, to get schools and families thinking about 'what next'. And what better place to showcase what's on offer for disabled students than a Coca cola career expo?

Grant Cleland and Colin Gladstone are two of the masterminds behind including transition services at Christchurch's Expo. And Brenda Ellis from the Ministry of Education explains why she's got in behind a local transitions project.