WOODSTOCK – The goal is clear: help special education students transition from school to the real world by finding them steady jobs.

But for the Careers and Education Department of the Special Education District of McHenry County, reaching that goal is a daily challenge.

“There are some employers who are very open to hire individuals with disabilities,” Director Dan Haligas said. “Some, we have to do some employer education and let them know how our students can really contribute to their organization and be just as valuable as other people in the workplace, sometimes more so.”