Selected Readings in Transition: Cultural Differences, Chronic Illness, and Job Matching. Volume 2.

This collection of four papers examines various aspects of the transition from school to adulthood and employment for individuals with disabilities. The first paper, "An Analysis of Transition Assessment Practices: Do They Recognize Cultural Differences?" (Teresa A. Dais), discusses the need for assessment practices to meet the needs of culturally and ethnically diverse students and describes authentic or performance-based assessments. "Culture-Specific Variables That May Affect Employment Outcomes for Mexican-American Youth with Disabilities" (Nancy Meier-Kronick) addresses such issues as the parental/family network, cultural view of disability, religious influences, acculturation levels, language issues, education and employment relationships, substance abuse, folk illnesses, and specific cultural concepts such as "machismo" and "familism." Research on employment outcomes for Latino youths with disabilities are reviewed. "Moving Out into the World: Transitions from Adolescence to Adulthood for Students with Chronic Illness and Other Disabilities" (Pamela Luft and Frank R. Rusch) reviews transition-related legislation and uses two student and family scenarios to illustrate the transition process from a social systems perspective. "Job Matching in Supported Employment: Variables Related to Transitional Planning for Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities" (Stephen S. Rubin) emphasizes the importance of evaluating individual strengths and weaknesses as part of the job placement process. (Each paper contains references.) (JDD)