The tool was designed to help parents navigate the complex and often confusing transition periods for their children with disabilities. The tool was created to provide them with the necessary information to make informed decisions about topics that has the most effect on children's future.
The development process for the transition planning tool involved several research stages. The team started by conducting a needs assessment to determine what parents needed most during the transition. My team and I met with parents of children with disabilities in various stages of their lives to better understand their needs. I also reviewed existing resources and tools available to parents and identified gaps in the current offerings.
Based on this research, the team developed the framework for the tool, which included four key areas of focus: planning, getting started, getting support, and getting and saving money.
The planning section of the tool includes information and resources on creating a vision for the child's future, setting goals, and developing a transition plan.
The getting started section provides tips on where to begin, including how to access services and support, and how to build a network of allies.
The getting support section focuses on identifying and accessing the various types of support available to families, including emotional, educational, and financial support.
The getting and saving money section provides information on funding sources, benefits, and tax incentives that families can access to support their child's transition.
Once the tool was developed, it was tested with a small group of parents to gather feedback and make improvements. The team then launched the tool on a website, making it available to parents across the country with a focus on resources for families in Ontario. The website included a comprehensive overview of the tool, as well as links to additional resources and support services. The team also conducted training sessions for educators and service providers to ensure they were aware of the tool and could support parents in using it.
The transition planning tool for parents with children with disabilities has been highly successful in supporting families during the transition period. The tool's success is a testament to the importance of listening to the needs of parents and developing resources that address those needs.
If the project's funding allowed I would have loved to focus on implementing features that would further improve families experience while using the tool:
Upvoting that would allow families to vote on the usefulness of content
Enable families to submit new resources
Ability to geographically tag content that would allow families to see resources that are relevant to their location in the province due to some of the financial supports only available in specific regions