This paper describes transitional programs developed by Black Hills Special Services Cooperative (BHSSC) to meet the needs of disabled students in rural areas. In cooperation with other public and private agencies, BHSSC provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services and community living programs to help individuals with severe disabilities enter and maintain employment. The entrepreneurial model was implemented by BHSSC to create and operate new businesses that employ special education students in an integrated work environment. The integrated work environment provides non-handicapped individuals as appropriate role models for handicapped students. This model has been implemented in four sites and has served approximately 150 special education students. The sites include textile manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, and wood working. Since BHSSC is the employer, the work environment is accommodating to meet the students' unique needs that cannot be met in a private business. Preliminary data suggest that the entrepreneurial model may be a viable approach to providing employment opportunities in rural areas for disabled students. This model also demonstrates that properly supported workers with handicapping conditions can be profitably employed in rural areas. (LP)