Disability Disclosure Decision Guide: Work and College for Transition Students, Ages 14 to 21

This disability disclosure decision guide helps transition students decide whether to share about a disability at work or college, who to tell, how much to say, and when, with write on charts, a plan page, and four practice situations.

Why I made this: Students leave high school after years of adults handling their disability for them. Then, all at once, it is their call whether anyone knows. I wanted a tool that slows that decision down and treats it as a real choice, with no pressure to share and no pressure not to.

What's included:

• Cover

• Teacher and coach how to page

• What disclosure means at work and at college

• Should I share? Pros and cons chart

• Who might I tell? (supervisor, HR, disability services, instructor, coworker, nobody yet)

• How much do I share? Three levels, and the student chooses

• When do I share? At the interview, after hire, before a hard task, before classes, or not at all

• My disclosure plan

• 4 practice situations: choose a path and explain why

• Teacher and coach tips with talking points for the practice page

How I use it: Go one or two pages at a time. Do pages 3 and 4 together, spread the next four over a few sessions, then finish with the practice situations. There is no right answer here. The goal is a choice the student made on purpose. It is general information, not legal advice.

How it fits with my other products:

• My Self Advocacy Scripts for Work & College | Boss, Job Coach, Disability Office gives practice lines for talking with supervisors, job coaches, and disability offices. This guide is the decision that comes first: whether, when, how much, and to whom. It does not repeat the scripts.

• My Self Advocacy Communication Cards | Hand This Page + All About Me Wallet Card cover quick self advocacy at school. This guide is about work and college.

Also from The Transition Cliff:

• Self Advocacy Scripts for Work & College | Boss, Job Coach, Disability Office

• Postsecondary Accommodations Guide

• Summary of Performance Template

• The Student Led IEP + Self Advocacy bundle (coming soon)

What you download: one printable PDF, 10 pages, US Letter.

Rules and processes vary by state, school, and employer. This is general information, not legal advice. Always follow your district policies.

Part of the Student Led IEP + Self Advocacy series (Student Led IEP Meeting Slides; Disability Disclosure Decision Guide; Postsecondary Accommodations Guide; Summary of Performance Template).

Made by Jeremy D. Gooch, special education teacher and transition coordinator. Drafting and layout had AI assistance; every page was checked by me.