"TransAccess provides persons with disabilities access to adaptive technology and career transition services so that they can achieve their desired education and employment, and improve their quality of life."

School-to-Future Program


TransAccess' School-to-Future Program offers high school and college students with disabilities a head start and competitive edge toward building successful careers.  School-to-Future activities offer students a variety of "in school" pre-employment support services to complement their school based education and training, including tools for exploring career options and opportunities for "real world" experiences and interactions. TransAccess team is enhanced through our partnerships with professionals in business and industry who are committed to working with students in this program.

What resources and opportunities are available to students?

Mobile Computer Lab
Stats: 2009-2010 school year – 446 students benefitted.

A TransAccess Student picture TransAccess shares its Mobile Computer Lab, complete with laptop computers loaded with a variety of access technology solutions, with students in their schools or at our offices.  This equipment and assistance provides the tools and support needed to encourage and assist students in envisioning and meeting their educational and employment goals.  Availability to accessible computers is critical to many students and we offer appointments at TransAccess or a school site that is convenient for the students and teachers.

The laptops are PC’s and use a Windows operation system.  They are all loaded with Microsoft Office Suite and have access to the Internet.  They are also loaded with software for individuals with learning and processing disabilities such as Inspiration, and Kurzweil as well as capable to run other programs such as Dragon Naturally Speaking.

Job and Internet workshops
Stats:  2009-2010 school year - 986 students benefitted.

A TransAccess Student picture Job and Internet workshops are offered at the school site or at TransAccess offices after school hours or during the summer vacation on topics including:

Resume writing
Interviewing
Internet Job Search
Learning Styles
On-line Applications
Self-advocacy
Career Planning
Financial Awareness
Assistive technology and basic computer skills
We can provide workshops on other topics as requested.


Job Shadowing and Business Networking
Stats:  2009 - 2010 school year - 106 students benefitted.

A TransAccess Student picture Through our job shadowing program, students have the opportunity to spend time with working professionals in occupations that they are interested in. Students observe and often participate in daily work activities on-site to become more familiar with the work environment and skills needed for these jobs. Students also have multiple opportunities to interact with employees at these companies, who define what education and technologies are needed for success.

Business Networking provides students the opportunity to schedule meetings with individuals who may be business managers or human resource professionals to learn first-hand what training and job skills are necessary for employment at companies like theirs. Students may also attend workshops and company presentations to learn about a company or career and gain insights that will help improve their job search skills and develop their career path, while making these valuable employer contacts.

TransAccess staff and corporate employees offer the Job Shadowing and Business Networking services at no cost. For appointments contact Maria Nicolacoudis at (408) 278-2001.

Mentoring Services

Mentoring is an important tool of success for youth, especially youth with disabilities. Mentoring can make an important difference to a young person who needs help navigating the road to achieving his or her future goals.

A TransAccess Student picture TransAccess recently completed an exciting five year research-based mentoring project designed to develop the competence and potential of students with disabilities. Working in collaboration with San Diego State University's Interwork Institute, and the California Department of Rehabilitation, the California Mentoring Initiative for Youth with Disabilities (CMI) established a mentoring model that increased community integration, postsecondary education, and employment for transition age youth participating in the vocational rehabilitation system.

Through CMI, we have developed a service model as well as mentor and mentee training and manuals through this five year project.  TransAccess currently provides mentoring services through our Access-to-Jobs program and recently received funds to sustain mentoring from the Special Hope Foundation.  Our current mentoring services use the model that was developed through the California Mentoring Initiative. 

If you are a service provider interested in creating a mentoring program, you can download our mentor/mentee manuals and training information as well as view and share a short video of our mentors and mentees talking about the benefits of mentoring.  If you have questions about mentoring, please contact Robert Zier at (408) 278-2002 or Maria Nicolacoudis at (408) 278-2001.



For Students: How can you participate in School to Future activities?
Get started NOW by filling out this online application. You can be using these resources in just a few days.

For Employers and Managers:
Are you interested in being an important part of our students' preparation for successful careers through being a part of our School to Future Program?

Join our Business Advisory Committee which meets quarterly.  You can use your skills and experience to help our students with their job skills and career path options.

For more information on the School-To-Future Program, please call Monique Migdol at (408) 278-2015.

If you have already participated in the School-to-Future Program, please evaluate our services.