A half-billion-dollar federal program exists specifically to help students with disabilities transition from school to the workforce. It's available to an estimated 3.1 million eligible students nationwide. And yet in 2023, fewer than 10 percent of those students received any services at all, and in some states as few as 2 percent. Parents have compared the lack of awareness surrounding these programs to a "secret society." Here's what they are, who qualifies, and how to access them for your child.
What Are Pre-Employment Transition Services?
Pre-employment transition services, known as pre-ETS, are federally funded programs designed to help students with disabilities prepare for and successfully move from school into the working world. They are funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), passed in 2014, and administered by each state's Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency.
The concept of transition services for disabled students has existed for decades, with roots in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975. But a persistent gap remained between what schools could offer and the specialized training, counseling, and work experience students with disabilities need to find and keep jobs.
The employment numbers reflect that gap. While about 22.5 percent of the disabled population was employed in 2023, the unemployment rate for disabled persons runs roughly twice that of people without disabilities. Labor force participation for people with disabilities aged 16 to 64 sits at just 40 percent, compared with 77.7 percent for non-disabled people in the same age range.
Five Core Services
WIOA requires state VR agencies to set aside at least 15 percent of their federal funds for pre-ETS. The law mandates five core services for eligible students:
- Job exploration counseling
- Work-based learning experiences
- Counseling on postsecondary educational opportunities
- Workplace readiness training
- Self-advocacy training
Services can be delivered in school, but depending on the state, students are often referred to an outside provider.
Why so few students receive services: WIOA does not require that every eligible student actually receive pre-ETS, only that the services be made available. That distinction, combined with inconsistent outreach and implementation across states, has left tens of thousands of students without access to programs they qualify for.
How to Access Pre-ETS for Your Child
Students with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 21 who are enrolled in school are generally eligible, though criteria and referral processes vary by state. Note that if your child is already receiving comparable career transition services through special education, they may not qualify for pre-ETS from the VR agency.
Steps to get started:
- Talk to your child's school counselor or special education teacher about accessing vocational rehabilitation services
- Request a referral to your state's VR agency from the school
- Contact your state's VR agency directly to confirm eligibility and start the process
- Visit the PACER National Parent Center on Transition and Employment for additional resources on pre-ETS and youth disability employment
What About Government Benefits?
Many parents worry that employment will affect their child's eligibility for SSDI or Medicaid. It's a legitimate concern, but there are programs designed specifically to address it. The Ticket to Work Program allows people receiving SSDI to work without automatically losing their benefits, and some states also offer Medicaid buy-in programs for disabled workers. A special needs financial planner can help you think through how employment income interacts with your child's current and future benefits.
A Program Worth Pursuing
With the right preparation, students with disabilities can leave high school ready to build meaningful careers and greater independence. Pre-ETS is one of the most underused tools available to families navigating that transition, and knowing it exists is the first step.
Every family's situation is different. A special needs financial planner can help you understand how pre-ETS fits into the broader picture of your child's long-term plan, including benefits, savings strategies, and future care needs.