The EXIT and Post-Secondary Programs at TSBVI serve 18-22 year old adults who are blind or visually impaired. The side-by-side comparison of the two programs below can help professionals and family members determine which program is most appropriate for their student or child.
Eligibility
| EXIT (Education/ IDEA) |
| 18-22 years old (not eligible if older than 21 on Sept 1)
Students must have been determined by their local school districts to be eligible for educational services as students who are Visually Impaired or DeafBlind If a student’s ARD Committee determines that there are instructional needs that necessitate Special Education Services beyond the 12th-grade year, the local school district determines whether they are able to meet the student’s individualized needs. If not, an application to TSBVI can be completed. Once a student is accepted, they are temporarily enrolled at TSBVI to receive services that the referring district is asking TSBVI to provide. The student’s local district remains responsible for ensuring the student is receiving a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). TSBVI collaborates with the local district and stakeholders within the ARD process to create the IEP (including goals and Transition to Adult Life Services). The EXIT program serves a wide spectrum of students ranging from those who will need significant support as adults to those who expect to attend college and live and work independently. |
| POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM (Vocational Rehabilitation/ ADA) |
| 18-22 years old
Legally blind: a visual acuity of 20/200, or worse, in the best eye with the best correction or a field restriction of 20 degrees or less. Participants graduate from their districts or have completed their GED. Post Secondary Program (PSP) staff, participants, and CCRC develop transition plans through individual goal setting. Participants must be able to manage personal and health needs independently. In order to be appropriate for PSP, they should be planning to attend college and/or work and live independently or with minimal support in the community. |
Cost
| EXIT (Education/ IDEA) |
| Students are still entitled to free and public education services. No fees are charged to students or their families.
Referring school districts are responsible for covering the cost of transportation for approximately eight weekends over the course of the school year. |
| POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM (Vocational Rehabilitation/ ADA) |
| Participants should have access to SSI/SSDI or some other financial arrangement in order to pay for their daily living needs (i.e. food and household products). Additionally, students will be required to pay $50 a month for rent. Rent money will be returned to the student upon completion of the program. |
Referral Process
| EXIT (Education/ IDEA) |
| Referred by school district. District must provide reasons for referral. The eventual return to district for transition services is considered for all EXIT students. |
| POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM (Vocational Rehabilitation/ ADA) |
| No referral necessary. Any eligible candidate may apply. An application must be submitted to Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center (CCRC) by a Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Field Counselor. A committee composed of Texas Workforce Commission, CCRC, and Post Secondary staff will then collaborate to determine appropriateness of placement in PSP.
See “How Do I Apply for Post Secondary Programming” document. |
Instructional Setting
| EXIT (Education/ IDEA) |
| Service delivery occurs on the TSBVI Campus and in the Austin community with related services as indicated by the IEP.
Students practice employability skills in various work settings both on and off campus. Students may participate in a work internship in the community. |
| POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM (Vocational Rehabilitation/ ADA) |
| Service delivery takes place at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, the Post-Secondary apartments, and in the Austin Community.
Instruction takes place in classroom settings, in students’ apartments and/or on-the-job training. Students are required to complete 80-100 hours of volunteer work and/or participate in a work internship. |
Length of Stay
| EXIT (Education/ IDEA) |
| EXIT follows the TSBVI school calendar. Students typically stay in the EXIT program for at least one school year. The student’s ARD committee makes a decision at each annual ARD to determine if the student will return to TSBVI, return to their district for Transition Services, or graduate. |
| POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM (Vocational Rehabilitation/ ADA) |
| Length of stay is 5 ½ months. |
Living Arrangements and Supervision
| EXIT (Education/ IDEA) |
| Students who live more than 45 miles from the TSBVI campus live in a dormitory environment during the week and travel home on the weekends. Dorms have shared bathrooms and kitchens. For these students, continuous supervision is provided, including overnights. 24-hour security staff on the TSBVI campus.
Students who reside within 45 miles of the TSBVI campus are considered “day students” and are transported to and from TSBVI daily by their local school district. |
| POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM (Vocational Rehabilitation/ ADA) |
| Students live in one of four apartments which are located on the TSBVI campus. Each apartment has a private bathroom and kitchen. Staff are present for most of the day but non-continuous supervision does occur. No overnight supervision is provided. 24-hour security staff on the TSBVI campus. |
