THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, February 23, 1997             TAG: 9702230172
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: Nancy Young

                                            LENGTH:   36 lines

DISABLED NEED TO PLAN FOR HOW TO PAY FOR EDUCATION

High school students with disabilities aren't the only ones who are sometimes caught off guard by life after graduation. Parents who are used to an array of mandated school services may suddenly find themselves feeling cut off.

``It's definitely not mandated after you leave,'' said Alice Pretlow, a special education transition specialist for Chesapeake schools.

While there are services available for the disabled adults - primarily through the state's Department of Rehabilitative Services - both parents and students have to be more assertive about seeking those services. They also need to plan for how to pay for educational opportunities beyond high school.

``A lot of the parents assume the services are free,'' said Kerry Baggaley, also a special education transition specialist. ``They really don't plan. . .

Pretlow said that during the fall DRS sent letters to the homes of graduating seniors with disabilities, advising them to let the department know if they would be seeking services after graduation. So far, the response has been low.

That, says Pretlow, is unfortunate because the time to plan for the services students will need after graduation is now. She advised that parents of disabled graduating seniors either call DRS now, or, if their students are in Chesapeake, they can call the special education transition specialists' office at 494-7600.

Business owners interested in offering training opportunities for students with disabilities can call the office at 494-7600.

KEYWORDS: CHESAPEAKE SCHOOLS HANDICAPPED DISABLED STUDENTS

JOB TRAINING