Transition Post Secondary Education, Employment, Housing, Community

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.
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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.

LEND resource handout

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 this video:
https://youtu.be/JFWMerfZanQ

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.

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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.
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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-life/resources-for-students-with-disabilities

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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. https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29727

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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)
https://www.accessliving.org

Access Living’s Programs for Youth:

 

Access Living offers multiple opportunities and programs for youth with disabilities to learn, grow, build community, and prepare for their futures. At this time, all youth programs are meeting in person, with the flexibility to hold virtual meetings if that is preferred by a school or teacher.Youth Team YouthTeam@accessliving.org (312) 640-2100

 

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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://nationaldeafcenter.org

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The Great Lakes ADA Center
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. https://www.adagreatlakes.org

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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. https://www.equipforequality.org/about/mission

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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://abilitylinks.org

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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/