Resources For Youth With Disabilities Transitioning Into Adulthood

This directory includes government and private organizations that offer resources or supports for youth with disabilities transitioning into adulthood.

Government

• Administration for Community Living
  
  • Resources for Youth with Autism Transitioning to AdulthoodThis list of resources includes ACL initiatives that promote integrated employment, centers for independent living, state councils, and more. ACL supports a number of activities related to transition, such as National Network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service. Many UCEDDs focus on transition planning and transition-aged youth.
• Federal Partners in Transition (FPT)
  
  • The 2020 Federal Youth Transition Plan: A Federal Interagency StrategyIn 2015, FPT released a plan for enabling all youth to pursue a self-directed path in adulthood. This strategy outlines how partner agencies will improve interagency coordination through a shared vision, compatible goals, and similar policy priorities. The aim of this shared vision is to improve outcomes for youth with disabilities by 2020.
• U.S. Department of Education
  
  • National Technical Assistance Center on TransitionNTACT assists education agencies and vocational rehabilitation services in implementing evidence-based practices to ensure students with disabilities are prepared for postsecondary education and employment. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
• U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy
  
  • Entering the World of Work: What Youth with Mental Health Needs Should Know About AccommodationsThis page covers common questions and concerns that youth with mental health disabilities may have when entering the workforce.
  • Information and Resources for YouthThis page lists youth development and leadership resources, provides information on creating an Individualized Learning Plan, lists resources for learning soft skills to succeed in the workforce, and lists volunteer and work experience options.
  • Youth Development and ResourcesThis page lists various youth development and leadership resources that promote success after high school.
  • Workforce Recruitment ProgramThis program connects motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities to federal and private sector employers.
• U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)
  
  • Youth ResourcesThe Social Security Administration has a new Youth Resources web page to connect youth and young adults with disabilities to important youth-friendly resources and information to achieve education, career, and life goals.
  • Ticket to Work ProgramSocial Security’s Ticket to Work Program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 who want to work. The Ticket Program is free and voluntary. The Ticket Program helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence. Individuals who receive Social Security benefits because of a disability and are age 18 through 64 probably already qualify for the program.
• youth.gov
  
  • Transition & Aging OutThe mission of youth.gov is to help organizations and community leaders create, maintain, and strengthen youth programs. Their Transition and Aging Out page provides resources to support youth aged 16-24 as they plan a path to a successful adulthood.

• Association of University Centers on Disabilities
  
  • UCEDD/LEND Interdisciplinary & Interagency Transition Activities, Programs, or ProjectsThe Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) is a membership organization that supports and promotes a national network of university-based interdisciplinary programs on disabilities. They offer some resources related to transition on their website and refer to information about transition at member organizations.
• Autism Speaks
  
  • Transition to AdulthoodThis section of the Autism Speaks’ website provides multiple toolkits, resources, and guides.
• Easterseals
  
  • Disability Services for Young AdultsPrograms include in-home care, adult day services, camping and recreation, employment services, and more.
• Got Transition
  
  • Resources & ResearchGot Transition aims to help youth and young adults move from pediatric to adult health care through the use of evidence-driven strategies.
• OCALI
  
  • Transition to Adulthood GuidelinesOCALI, formerly the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence, has developed resources on the Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition planning process, age-appropriate transition assessment, employment, and school age programming for transition-aged youth. While a portion of the information is specific to the state of Ohio, most of the information is generally applicable.
• PACER Center
  
  • National Parent Center on Transition and EmploymentThis center provides information for parents on several aspects of the transition to adulthood for youth with disabilities. This center provides videos, handouts, and online workshops on topics including transition planning, postsecondary education, employment, benefit programs and supports, independent and community living, laws and rights, health, and assistive technology.
• Project SEARCH
  
  • Transition-to-Work ProgramThis page provides an overview of the Transition-to-Work program, including links on finding or starting a local program.

• Special Needs Trusts Online 

  • A nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that provides quality information about resources available to families as well as providing affordable Special Needs Trusts and estate planning for families. More than 20 years of experience helping families just like yours. Find out more information at SpecialNeedsTrustsOnline.com or click here to set up a free appointment.

• Think College
  
  • Resource LibraryThink College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability. The Resource Library includes over 600 selected resources on a wide range of topics related to postsecondary education.
• Transition Coalition
  
  • Products and MaterialsTransition Coalition, located at the University of Kansas, provides resources for supporting transition aged youth with disabilities.
• Virginia Commonwealth University
  
  • VCU Center for Autism ExcellenceThe VCU Center for Autism Excellence provides resources for parents, educators, paraprofessionals, and administrators. Its mission is to implement research-based practices and supports in schools and the community.
  • VCU Center on Transition InnovationsThe VCU Center on Transition Innovations provides resources, such as webinars, for educators and other stakeholders who support transition aged youth with disabilities.