Despite laws enacted to provide students who have special learning needs with the educational opportunities to prepare them for employment and independent living, special needs students often cannot gain access to traditional vocational programs in large part because of the nature of their disabilities. High-stakes testing has changed entry criteria to traditional vocational programs, leaving many special needs students with limited occupational and life-skills training options. This study was an investigation of the transformational characteristics of the Career Center, a school dedicated to providing career and vocational training to students with special needs, and how educational technology can play a role in developing a career path for students with disabilities. Using a mixed method research design, the study focused on how readiness competence, social and communication skills, authentic learning strategies, and technology utilization play a role in helping special needs students transition to the world of work. Results indicated that technology plays a role in how the Career Center: (a) provides hands-on vocational training and career exploration opportunities, (b) supports work-related communication skills, (c) provides work-related experiences, and (d) teaches work related skills and supports special learning needs. The researcher recommends that legislators and county and or regional districts allocate funds dedicated to building vocational-technical schools for students with special needs and that Chambers of Commerce and corporations invest in and build partnerships with vocational-technical programs for students with special needs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]