Transition to Adult Life

What is the transition process from school to adult life? Who is involved, and how does one get from school to adult life successfully?

Transition is a federal mandate under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The school, family, student, and outside resources are usually involved in the transition process. Transition planning begins no later than age 16 or earlier, if determined appropriate by the Planning and Placement Team (PPT).

Transition is about thinking ahead for the future by preparing the student to enter a post-high school environment successfully. Transition is not a race, but a journey with many stops and experiences along the way. If you have a child 15 years of age or older, ask your school about transition planning.

View “Exploring Self-Advocacy” hear from young adults and their families on the importance of being a self-advocate.

View the video in Spanish

Waiting until your child is ready to graduate is too late to begin the transition process.

Click on each topic for resources and information.

Transition Planning: Getting Started

Agencies that Provide Services for Adults with Disabilities

The Connecticut Department of Social Services – The Connecticut Department of Social Services administers a range of services and programs though bureaus and agencies with local offices throughout the state.
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) – BRS is a DSS agency that provides services to assist persons with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. BRS can provide individualized services to eligible persons that may include vocational assessment, guidance and training, career education and on-the-job training, supported employment services, rehabilitation technology services and information on State and Federal benefit programs.
Board of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) – BESB is a DSS agency that is responsible for the confidential registry of people who are blind in Connecticut and provides, within available resources, comprehensive low vision services, specialized education services, life skills training, case management, and vocational services to individuals of all ages who are legally blind and to children who are visually impaired. The agency assists them in acquiring the skills and support services necessary to be independent.
Commission of Deaf and Hearing Impaired (CDHI) – The Commission of Deaf and Hearing Impaired’s mission is to advocate, strengthen and implement state policies affecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and their relationship to the public, industry, health care, and educational opportunities.
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) – DDS provides, and funds, a wide array of services for people with intellectual disabilities.
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) – The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) promotes and administers comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment throughout Connecticut.
Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (P&A) – The mission of P&A is to advance the cause of equal rights for persons with disabilities and their families by:
- increasing the ability of individuals, groups and systems to safeguard rights
- exposing instances of discrimination and abuse
- seeking individual and systematic remediation when rights are violated
- increasing public awareness of unjust situations and of means to address them
- empowering people with disabilities and their families to advocate effectively.
Social Security Administration – The Social Security Administration offers benefit programs (SSI, SSDI, PASS, Work Incentives, or Medicare) that individuals with disabilities may be eligible under the adult service agency system. Social Security Income pays monthly benefits to people who are 65 or older, or blind or have a disability and who don’t own much or have a lot of income. Social Security Disability Income pay cash benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a disability. Plan for Achieving Self Support, is a special work incentive program for individuals with disabilities who receive or would like to receive SSI but would like to work.
Regional Educational Service Centers – All RESCs support the instructional and operational components of Connecticut school districts. RESCs design and deliver community-based education, training, and human service programs, which add to the economic well-being and quality of life throughout the state. Through RESCs, districts and communities have access to high quality, cost-effective collaborative programs and initiatives.

Assessment

Employment

Guardianship, Conservator & Age of Majority

The IEP

Post-Secondary Education (College, Training Programs, etc.)

College Goal Sunday - A yearly statewide event that takes place, held this year on January 29th, which assists students and their families with completing online the federal financial aid form. A student needs to register online at the listed website in order to participate. Also volunteers are needed at all sites and to volunteer a person needs to register online also.
Know How 2 Go Connecticut – An interactive website that lists the steps that students should follow, beginning in middle school, when getting for post-secondary education.
College Week Live - A free interactive online college fair with more than 200 colleges participating from around the world. College Week Live occurs yearly in November and March.
College Board - The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity.
FASFA4caster and MyFASFA- FASFA4caster is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA4caster is on online tool that helps students and parents determine their current eligibility for federal financial aid. MyFSA is an online account that provides students with access to college and scholarship searches, career and self-assessment tools, and other resources regarding college and financial aid.
www.thinkcollege.net – This website is designed to share what is currently going on, provide resources and strategies, training events, and give you ways to talk to others. The information is for transition aged students as well as adults attending or planning for college.
www.going-to-college.org – Going To College offers information about living college life with a disability. It’s designed for high school students and provides video clips, activities and additional resources that can help you get a head start in planning for college.

Scholarships

The Governor’s Coalition for Youth with Disabilities Scholarship Information
Schwallie Family Scholarship Program – The Organization for Autism Research – The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is now accepting applications for the Schwallie Family Scholarship Competition to support qualified individuals with autism or Asperger Syndrome in the United States pursuing post-secondary education. OAR will present a total of five awards of $3,000 in each across three categories: 1) Four-year undergraduate college or university; 2) Two-year undergraduate college, and; 3) Trade, technical or vocational school.
1800Wheelchair.com – Annual Scholarship Award – 1800Wheelchair.com is proud to announce our second annual scholarship award. Established in 2006, the scholarship fund will award one $500 scholarship to an undergraduate student. The scholarship is open to students of any major or concentration. The winner’s name, essay and photo will be posted on 1800wheelchair.com. Although not a requirement, preference will be given to students with mobility disabilities.
The Linda J. Marchetti Scholarship & The Bobby Fund Scholarship- Presented by the CT Down Syndrome Congres (CDSC) -The Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress offers educational scholarships to students with Down Syndrome who are pursuing post-secondary education opportunities. Applications for this scholarship should be sent to:Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress Scholarship Committee
c/o UCONN Center on Disabilities
263 Farmington Avenue, MC 6222
Farmington, CT 06030

The application should include the scholarship name, the applicant’s name, address and phone number, the name of the academic institution they are attending, a description of the program, a copy of the transcript or list of courses, the amount of scholarship they are requesting and a resume. Please include a cover letter indicating why the applicant should receive the award. For additional information contact the Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress. Scholarships will be presented at CDSC’s Annual Convention in the Fall.
Financial Aid, Scholarships and Resources for Students with Learning Disabilities – An article by the National Center for Learning Disabilities
2012 Scholarship Resources and Information Guide developed by the African-American Affairs Commission.

Articles

Books

100 Things Every College Student With A Disability Ought to Know
This is a self-help orientation guidebook for students with disabilities that is designed to help identify problem areas, offer suggestions and provide additional web site connections for assistance in building success with issues of academic and social life in college. It helps to better explain what is expected of students with disabilities in college and provides helpful tips and strategies that can help students avoid the common problems of adjusting from secondary school. It highlights crucial information students with disabilities need to know about practices for accommodations, expectations of professors and where and how to communicate their disability related college needs. It is also formatted as a quick and easy carry-around reference that serves to alleviate awkward and unnerving circumstances before they occur.
Getting Into and Surviving College When You Have A Learning Disability: Learning How to Learn
Written for high school and college students with learning disabilities (LD), this thorough, down-to-earth manual gently steers students through the process of preparing for college, choosing the right school and succeeding academically. Drawing from her own experiences, Joyanne offers concrete, step-by-step advice on how LD students can do the following: Take standardized tests in a form best suited to their needs, Select a postsecondary program that will support their future goals and learning styles, Take advantage of a wide range of supports and services, Advocate for their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, to highlight their learning strengths And to survive and succeed in college and beyond.
Preparing Students with Disabilities for College Success: A Practical Guide to Transition Planning by Stan F. Shaw, Joseph W. Madaus and Lyman L. Dukes III
For students with mild to moderate, non-visible disabilities, navigating a college education without the support team they had in high school can be challenging. Help students become effective self-advocates and maximize their postsecondary possibilities with this book.

If you would like to borrow any of these books or if you would like a complete listing of our transition books please view our Lending Library.

Other Resources in Connecticut and Nationwide