Transition Planning from School to Employment for Persons with Disabilities in Enugu State

This study examines the provision and quality of transition planning from school to employment for persons with disabilities in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Transition planning, as a formalised process of preparing students with disabilities for post-school life including tertiary education, vocational training, and competitive employment, is a critical component of comprehensive special education that has received limited implementation attention in Nigerian states. In Enugu State, persons with disabilities face a labour market characterised by both informal sector dominance and employer stigma, making structured transition support particularly vital. Using a mixed-methods design, the study surveys one hundred and eighty final-year students with disabilities in special and integrated secondary schools and conducts in-depth interviews with fifteen career guidance counsellors and employment officers. Survey data are analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while interviews undergo thematic analysis. The study investigates the availability of formal transition plans, the role of vocational assessment, linkages to employment services, and employer engagement in transition pathways. Findings are expected to confirm near-total absence of formalised transition planning and significant post-school employment exclusion for persons with disabilities. Recommendations include developing a statewide transition planning framework for Enugu State and establishing a disability employment liaison unit within the State Employment Service. Keywords: transition planning, employment, disability, Enugu State, post-school outcomes.