Transition refers to moving from the world of school to the adult world. It includes thinking about planning for the student’s future. Transition planning has to legally begin at age 14½ for students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The resources found on this page will help you better understand how to help families through this stage in their lives.
PUNS List College Resources Employment
Transition for Youth with Disabilities (Employment, Housing, Post Secondary, Rehabilitation Services) – Local
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition
NTACT is a Technical Assistance and Dissemination project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), Cooperative Agreement Number H326E140004. NTACT is funded from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2019.
NTACT’s purpose is to assist State Education Agencies, Local Education Agencies, State VR agencies, and VR service providers in implementing evidence-based and promising practices ensuring students with disabilities, including those with significant disabilities, graduate prepared for success in postsecondary education and employment.
Transition Information for Hispanic Teens in the Chicago Area
If you need help finding resources or would like peer-to-peer advice about preparing for adulthood and what to expect, the challenges faced and getting to know your rights, take a few minutes to view ,
You may find this Resource List, https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Resource-Handout-LEND-002-1.pdf helpful.
Parents/Guardians, you can find more on ways to help your teen or young adult as they navigate the move to adulthood by viewing this short video, Information About the Transition to Adulthood for Hispanic Parents and Guardians, https://youtu.be/98JWwiUQQdw.
You may find this Resource List, https://dscc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Resource-Handout-LEND-002-1.pdf helpful.
THE MAYOR’S OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities’ Youth Employment Programs is aimed a proactively combating the high unemployment rate of working-age Chicagoans with disabilities, which is approximately 65 percent, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mopd.html .
College Resources For Students with Disabilities
College Choice wants to help students and their families as they research and compare colleges to find one that fits their interests and needs.https://www.collegechoice.net/college-resources-for-students-with-disabilities/
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES DISABILITY & REHABILITATION
Illinois created DHS in 1997, to provide our state’s residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving to move from welfare to work and economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29727
ACCESS LIVING
The services Access Living offers are changing not only how society views the disability community, but how people with disabilities view themselves. From peer-based support groups, to independent living training, helping people with disabilities take charge of their lives speaks to the passion and dedication Access Living has for service, advocacy, and social change.
Access Living
115 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 640-2190 (v)
(312)640-2102 (tty)
http://www.accessliving.org/index.php?
Access Living’s Programs for Youth:
Disability Justice Mentoring Collective!(DJ/MC) (Ages 16-18)
DJ/ MC is about young people with disabilities and adults working together one-on one. Parent or guardian consent is required. Contact Candace Coleman at 312-640-2128 or email atccoleman@accessliving.org.
(A.Y.L.P.)Advance Youth Leadership Power
This advocacy group of young people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 30 meets weekly at Access Living. Advance Youth Leadership Power (AYLP) members are generally youth who have gone through Access Living’s leadership training program, and understand how to use grassroots organizing techniques to press for social change. The group organizes for social change on behalf of young people with disabilities. Contact Candace Coleman at 312-640-2128 or email at ccoleman@accessliving.org.
The Empowered Fe Fes is a support and action group of young women with disabilities ages 16 to 24. The Fe Fes represent all “Fe Fe” is slang for “female.” The group meets on Fridays and discuss issues like being disabled and a girl, dating, job hunting, sexuality, family conflict, getting an apartment, independence, power, our rights and making our communities better. Contact Fulani Thrasher at 312-640-2190 or email atfthrasher@accesslivng .org
Many young people with disabilities need assistance in the same areas: time and money management; dealing with their parents; and some basic issues like communication skills and hygiene. Reaching Our Dreams was developed as a way to help youth develop skills that will enable them to become independent and more invested in planning for their futures. Contact Carlenda Johnson Independent Living Skills Coordinator (312)640-2159 or email at cjohnson@accessliving.org
National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes
The National Deaf Center’s mission is to close the substantial gaps in education and employment that exist for deaf people in the United States and its territories. We are a technical assistance and dissemination center federally funded by the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to provide evidence-based strategies at the local, state, and national levels. https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/
THE GREAT LAKES ADA CENTER’S
The Great Lakes ADA Center’s mission is to increase awareness and knowledge with the ultimate goal of achieving voluntary compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is accomplished within targeted audiences through provision of customized training, expert assistance, and dissemination of information developed by various sources, including the federal agencies responsible for enforcement of the ADA. http://www.adagreatlakes.org/
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, PREPARING YOURSELF FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL RIGHTS OF STUDENTS IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
Mapping Your Future is your free resource for career, college, financial aid, and money management information. Our goal is to help individuals achieve life-long success by empowering students, families, and schools with web-based information and services.Here you can explore careers, prepare for college (help with selecting a school and applying for admission), pay for college (financial aid), and manage your money (student loans and more).http://mappingyourfuture.org/MiddleHighSchool
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf
Equip For Equality: 
Equip for Equality administer the federally mandated Protection & Advocacy System for the state of Illinois. State Protection & Advocacy Systems serve as a legal advocate for people with disabilities and as an independent watchdog. To carry out our responsibilities under federal law, we are granted broad, federal statutory powers. http://www.equipforequality.org/about/mission/
Ability Links: 
Ability Links is a nationwide, web-based community where qualified job seekers with disabilities and inclusive employers meet and gain access to valuable networking opportunities. https://www.abilitylinks.org/
Every Step of the Way Resource Center: Every Step of the Way Resource Center provides comprehensive resources &/or referrals in regard to recreation, education, health, social & daily living skills, & behavioral intervention to adults with mild to profound, intellectual disabilities ages 20 & up by focusing on their areas of need through a parent & client-centered approach. https://everystepoftheway2022.square.site/