Topics Menu

Transition to Adult Life Resources

This is a list of agencies and organizations who have information and resources to help you and your young adult plan for their transition to adult life.

Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) https://www.helenkeller.org/hknc/

HKNC offers comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services for individuals who are DeafBlind at its headquarters in Sands Point NY, at locations across the country and through virtual assessment and training opportunities. Their network of regional representatives can work with families and agencies to decide what training will best meet individual needs.

APH Connect Center https://aphconnectcenter.org/?s=Transition&submit=

The Connect Center provides resources for families and service providers to meet a number of transition needs. Topics include IEP Development, Planning Ahead, and Success Stories,

The National Family Association for DeafBlind (NFADB) https://nfadb.org/What-We-Do

The National Family Association for DeafBlind exists to empower the voices of families with individuals who are DeafBlind and advocate for their unique needs. NFADB uses several strategies to help people build connections offering the Family to Family Community Project (F2FC)  and a FaceBook Community.

RAISE – A Span Project https://raisecenter.org/about-raise/

RAISE is a parent-led and family-centered non-profit Parent Training and Information Center providing support to individuals with disabilities through the transition from secondary school to competitive employment and independent living.

Arc of Indiana https://www.arcind.org/our-programs/public-policy-advocacy/

Provides a transition-from-school webpage, including fact sheets and links to Charting the Life Course (personal futures planning), postsecondary options, and more.

Project Search https://www.projectsearch.us/

A national initiative offering workplace internships and career exploration. It builds confidence, workplace skills, and connections to potential employers, often leading to job offers. A number of examples and success stories of young adults are included.

Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services https://www.inf2f.org/fs_voc-rehab.html

VR programs provide personalized career plans, assessments, discovery services, training, and job placement support. They work with students to match their abilities and interests to suitable work environments, often collaborating with employers to ensure inclusive placements.

Indiana Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitation Services (DDARS) https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddars/index.html

Within DDARS, the Bureau of Disability Services provides quality, person-centered support for children and adults of all ages that enable them to live as independently as possible in their communities. BDS’s Person-Centered Individualized Support Plan focuses on self-determination and choice for individuals with disabilities. Programs include group living, home and community-based Medicaid waivers, and provider resources and training.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa/

WIOA funds pre-employment services (Pre-ETS) for 14-21 year-olds with documented disabilities. These services include career counseling, discover, work-based learning, and support for managing disabilities in the workplace. Participants can gain first work experiences, such as internships or apprenticeships and develop both soft and hard skills.

Benefits and Work Incentive Planning

Customized Employment

Transition Briefs

Is your child "Transition" age?
What things do you need to know/do to help him or her be successful when they leave home?
When do you need to do these things?
Who can help?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, The Indiana DeafBlind Services Project would like to you to check out our series of "Transition Briefs" for families.

Brief 1: Setting the Stage

Brief 2: Entitlement vs. Eligibility - Understanding the Dilemma

Brief 3: Guardianship: Yes?, No, Maybe?

Brief 4: Transition IEP Case Conferences - Parent Wisdoms

Brief 5: Transitions IEP Case Conferences - The Voice of the Young Adult who is Deaf-Blind

Brief 6: Person-Centered Planning: A Great Tool for Guiding a Successful Transition Plan

Brief 7: Indiana High School Diploma Options

Brief 8: Career Planning - Part 1

Brief 9: Career Planning - Part 2

Brief 10: Postsecondary School Planning

Brief 11: Who Does Your Laundry?

Brief 12: One-on-One with RJ: Putting on My Big Boy Pants

Brief 13: Using the Person Centered Planning Process to Develop IEP Goals

Brief 14: Support Service Providers: Meeting a Need

Brief 15: 2017 Midwest Transition Institute: Race for Your Dreams

Brief 16: ABLE Accounts: What Are They?

Brief 17: Hard Questions: Part 1

Brief 18: Hard Questions: Part 2

Brief 19: Charting the Life Course, Part 1: Planning the Journey

Brief 20: Charting the Life Course, Part 2: The Road Trip

Brief 21: Are You READY?

Brief 22: Are You READY? Ages 14-17

Brief 23: Are You READY? Ages 18-21

Brief 24: Transitions for Students who are DeafBlind: Looking Back-Planning Ahead

Brief 25: I Graduated: Now What Do I Do?

Brief 26: Please Listen to ME!

Brief 27: Midwest Transition Institute: Expect, Empower, Engage!

 

Accessing the Dream

 

Accessing the Dream: Preparing DeafBlind Youth for a Self-Determined Life

Over the last 11 years, regional Transition Institutes have brought state deafblind projects, the National Center on DeafBlindness (NCDB), families, and young adults together to share stories and experiences, learn about resources, and practice self-determination skills. What has evolved tells a compelling story and has produced knowledge to share. This video product from the National Center on DeafBlindness uses a taxonomy of effective transition practices to: promote youth perspectives on self-determination, access, and networking; build the capacity of service providers to prepare youth for college and career; raise expectations of families so they can better support their child; and promote interagency collaboration.

In their own words, young adults, families and practitioners, educate us about what works when planning for the future! We hope that you will share this video with others who are interested in supporting young adults of transition age.

Check it out and meet our Indiana Participants - the Renterias!

National Center on DeafBlindness (Producer). (2016). Accessing the dream: Preparing deafblind youth for a self-determined life [Video file].

Transition

What's Your Transition Story?  One-on-One with RJ

Last fall the Indiana DeafBlind Services Project had the opportunity to talk with RJ Crace, a young man who, when asked to describe himself, responded, “I am a 29 year old adult who is blind and hard of hearing”. While this is true, we want to take this opportunity to share a bit more about this young man. Anyone who knows RJ knows he is a remarkable young man who is highly intelligent, articulate, and gracious. He is also, as the viewer will soon learn, a strong advocate, both for himself and others. It was such a pleasure to interview him.  Please take some time and watch our conversation with this remarkable deafblind, young adult as he shares his insights regarding his education and transition experiences!