The purpose of this project is to increase the participation of youth with disabilities in the process of planning for their transition to adulthood.
Our Goal: to assist and support students with disabilities in furthering their independent living, self-advocacy and self-esteem skills during the transition process.
- Transition planning should begin no later than the age of 14 and students should be encouraged to assume a certain amount of responsibility for the planning.
- The foundations of transition planning should be laid during the elementary and middle school years.
BUT
- Many students with disabilities do not have the problem solving skills or self-esteem needed for them to participate in the transition planning process.
Independence Unlimited’s Youth Transitions program works with both students with disabilities and their parents* and offers the following services:
- Skills training to increase problem solving skills
- Information, support and peer mentoring to increase self - esteem and empower the youth and parents to fully participate in the IEP process for long range transition planning
- Service linkages to provide appropriate support; and
- Outreach
The overall philosophy of the project will be based on person centered planning and the self- determination models. Since each individual is unique, IU will assist each individual in identifying their goals, strengths, barriers and solutions. IU practices consumer control and the goal is for youth with disabilities to have more control and input in the planning process.
*Parents will also be included in some activities that will educate them about the self-determination model so they can be fully supportive of the student’s process and progress.
