Opportunity to Transition with Dignity: Silos and Trialling in Aotearoa New Zealand

Transition out of school is more than an administrative procedure, biological life stage, or public policy issue; transition is a human right. Yet, community participation in post-school life is challenging, particularly for those with significant disability. Findings from this 6-month ethnographic study confirm that two issues—silos, or breakdowns in collaboration, and trialling post-school options—were impediments to a transition with dignity. Deep examination into the experiences and perspectives of 3 young men demonstrated the challenges they faced in moving from schooling to life in the community. Their experiences were analyzed in a disability studies framework using the capability approach (Nussbaum, 2006; Sen, 1985) to prioritize opportunities to transition with dignity.