September 2010 Resources updated, August 2012In Transition to Adulthood, we presented an overview of what IDEA 2004 requires in terms of transition planning for youth with disabilities. A significant aspect of the law's requirements relates to including transition-related goals and statements in the IEPs of students preparing for life after high school. Now it's time to take a much closer look at the kind of information you might include in a student's … [Read more...]
Print 
PDFIndependent Living Connections
November 2009 | Links updated, May 2013 Independent living is about life, isn't it? It's about choice, seeing to your own affairs, and pursuing your talents, interests, passions, and selfhood as independently as possible. We all would like to see our young people grow to adulthood and find their place in the world, doing for themselves to the best of their ability. Disability can complicate independence, to be sure, which is why independent … [Read more...]
State Agencies Addressing Disabilities
February 2010 | Links checked, February 2013 So you're looking for the resources in your state that can help you address disability issues. Great idea. There are a lot, in fact. At least there are a lot of possibilities for help that can be explored. We've organized this page by the types of help people seem to be looking when they call or write NICHCY, and what we might suggest in response. What's available in your state? Help … [Read more...]
Services for Adults with Disabilities
Updated October 2010 | Links checked, February 2013Once a student with a disability leaves high school, other agencies are available to assist with putting the individual in contact with helpful resources.We have prepared this listing of resources for adults with disabilities to help you get started. Look over this list, and you will find organizations that provide information, referral, and/or direct services. A brief description of each organization's … [Read more...]
Self-determination and independent living e-course
This seven-hour self-directed e-learning course has been created to help people with developmental disabilities, their parents, family members and friends, educators, and service providers understand the important concepts of self-determination, family support, community living and assistive technology. The course focuses on helping people with developmental disabilities, their family, and friends explore these four important elements that, together, … [Read more...]
Independent Living Checklist
While moving out on your own can be exciting, it requires a whole new level of responsibility. Being more independent means taking an active role in your health and wellness, personal care, job training, school work, and other areas of your life. This checklist presents some questions to ask yourself to see whether you are prepared to live more independently. You may not be able to answer “yes” (or “always”) to every question listed, … [Read more...]
Daily living skills
This site provides information and inspiration for teaching daily living skills to teens and adults. New articles will continue to be added covering life skills areas such as budgeting, time management, hygiene, cooking, and medication management. Specific conditions addressed will include physical and mental disabilities. These life skills areas are addressed from the perspective of promoting maximum independence, regardless of living situation.http://dailylivingskills.com/ … [Read more...]
Future care planning: A roadmap for family caregivers
Future Care Planning: A Roadmap for Family Caregivers is a workbook for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers to help plan for the time when the individuals who may have been the primary caregiver or guardian are longer able to fulfill that role. The roadmap outlines living options, financial planning, involvement of siblings and other family members, and other person-centered planning important to ensuring individuals with disabilities … [Read more...]
Guardianship and other approaches to decision-making support
This Got Transition brief describes decision-making supports that may assist young adults with intellectual disabilities while ensuring independence and self-direction. This brief also provides links to important resources for more information about guardianship and other alternatives. (Posted June 12, 2012) http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/330372/c41b470f62/ARCHIVE … [Read more...]
Promoting independent living skills
Independent living has been defined as "those skills or tasks that contribute to the successful independent functioning of an individual in adulthood" (Cronin, 1996) in the following domains: leisure / recreation, home maintenance and personal care, and community participation. This Fact Facts from the Division on Career Development & Transition at the Council for Exceptional Children discusses specific actions that teachers, schools, and families … [Read more...]
