MyKey Steps
Who it is for, what it does, and how to begin
Independence, one step at a time
MyKey Steps gives learners picture-by-picture steps for everyday and work tasks, on a phone. The job coach, teacher or family member beside them records how much help each step took, and steps back as the learner steps up. This short guide by Barb Beck, M.Ed., answers six simple questions with real screens from the app, and the phones and iPad on the pages play the app in action.
What's inside
- Who it is for: learners, job coaches, families and VR, and the agencies that set it all up
- What it is: one small step at a time, with a picture, Hear it, quick phrases and Done
- What's inside: six ways to build a task, a Task Library of ready-made tasks, picture posters and QR cards
- Where it is used: at work, at home, out and about and at school, even with no signal once a task is opened
- When to use it: every day, recording less help over time, with less screen too
- Why it matters: My climb and My Wins let the learner see their own independence grow
- How to get it, start it, and use it together as a Support team
Frequently asked questions
Is MyKey Steps free?
Free for families while we pilot, with every feature and no card needed. The family price starts only when plans open, and families will hear about it before then. Schools, districts, agencies and employers can contact MyKey Plans about a plan.
Does the learner need their own account?
No. Accounts are for adults 18 and older. An adult hands the learner the device in Learner Mode, locked with the adult's PIN.
Does it work without internet?
Yes, for running tasks. Connect to Wi-Fi once, then a task works without it, and records send when you are back online.
Is the guide free?
Yes. Read it right here and share it with your team. For training a whole team, see the free MyKey Steps PD Training Guide.
Where do I start?
Go to steps.mykeyplans.com, create your account, add a learner with just a first name, and assign a ready-made task.
MyKey Steps is supplemental and does not replace IEPs, transition plans, individualized plans for employment, or professional guidance.
Key terms, explained simply
- Task analysis: breaking a job into small, ordered steps, each one taught and checked on its own. It is a proven way to teach work and daily living skills.
- Prompt fading: giving less help over time as a learner masters each step. MyKey Steps records how much help each step took, so the team can see when to step back.
- Natural supports: help that comes from coworkers, family and community instead of paid staff. Moving from paid to natural support is a key goal in supported employment.
- Learner Mode: the locked screen a learner uses to run their tasks, protected by the adult's PIN.
- Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): the state agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find and keep jobs. MyKey Steps gives VR teams a clear record of progress.
Related guides on the MyKey Bookshelf
- MyKey Steps PD Training Guide: free training for the whole support team
- Command Center by MyKey: executive functioning app guide
- The MyKey Family Toolkit: 18 free transition tools for families
About the author
Barb Beck, M.Ed., is a special education transition specialist who has walked beside young adults with disabilities and their families since 1992. She is the author of the My Keys to the Future transition curriculum and the founder of MyKey Plans in Bothell, Washington.