This paper outlines the changing employment climate and shift in attitudes towards disabled people who are expected to become economically active in order to fulfill their role as responsible citizens. We briefly describe the employment profile of disabled people and reiterate the combination of factors identified in shaping progression into the workforce. We provide a summary of two research projects, the Disability Effective Inclusive Policies (DEIP) funded by European Social Fund with a clear connection to EU equity and employability agenda, and the Lancashire Aimhigher Disability (LAD) project designed to support the government's aim of widening participation. We discuss aspects of the transition process, drawing explicitly on interviews with disabled people, policy makers and practitioners involved in developing or implementing policy and providing support services designed to aid the transition process. We conclude that there is a continuing need for a focus on the concept of transition in policy and practice.