Youth - MetroWest Center for Independent Living

General Education Transition For Parents

General Resources

Easter Seals

www.easterseals.com/ma/

provides services so children and adults with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play.

Waypoint Adventure

Waypoint’s Mission is to help youth and adults with disabilities discover their purpose, talents and strengths through the transforming power of adventure.

Partners for Youth with Disabilities

www.pyd.org/
empowers young people with disabilities to reach their personal, educational and career goals by providing high quality one-to-one and group mentoring programs.

Disability Resource for Pediatrics

libraryguides.umassmed.edu/content.php?pid=137777
From UMass Medical School’s Lamar Soutter Library – Helps healthcare professionals and caregivers better understand and advocate; be aware of support systems, and be informed of Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and school issues.

MA Summer Camps and Camp Fairs

www.spedchildmass.com/camps-special-needs-massachusetts-autism-aspergers/

18? Section 8!

18section8.org/

How to Apply for Section 8 when turning 18 (MA)

Autism

Helping Your Child with Autism Thrive

www.helpguide.org/articles/autism/helping-children-with-autism.htm
Parenting Tips, Treatments, and Services

Communicating with an Autistic Child: A Parent’s Guide

www.wiseoldsayings.com/communicating-with-an-autistic-child-a-parents-guide.php

from WiseOldSayings.com has many useful resources.

MASS General Aspire

www.massgeneral.org/children/aspire/overview.aspx
Aspire specializes in helping children, teens and adults on the autism spectrum achieve success.

Autism Speaks

Directory of Services and Supports

www.autismspeaks.org/directory
Individualized Educational Program (IEP) Guide

www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/iep_guide.pdf

Education through High School

MA Department of Special Education

Special Education

www.doe.mass.edu/sped

policy, guidelines and resources for administrators, teachers and parents.
Special Education Advocacy

www.doe.mass.edu/sped/links/advocacy.html

links to a variety of advocacy and disability rights organizations.
Office of Digital Learning

www.doe.mass.edu/odl/

Parent and Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/504-resource-guide-201612.pdf

from U.S. Dept. of Education

Federal guidance

www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-faqs-effective-communication-201411.pdf

about the rights of public elementary and secondary students with hearing, vision or speech disabilities to effective communication.

ADA National Network

Postsecondary Institutions and Students with Disabilities

adata.org/factsheet/postsecondary
Exams and Courses

adata.org/factsheet/exams

National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials

aem.cast.org/

IEP FAQs

www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.disputes.popup.htm
Pop-Up Tool: Resolving Parent-School Disputes

Transition – from High School to College or Work

by Autism Speaks! – This guide assists families on the journey from adolescence to adulthood.

Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology

www.qiat.org/

defines the steps needed for a successful transition.

EPIC

www.epicleaders.org/

Empowering People for Inclusive Communities (EPIC) prepares young people with disabilities to be actively engaged community leaders through education, leadership development and community service.

Practical Guide for People with Disabilities Who Want to Go To College

www.tucollaborative.org/sdm_downloads/going-to-college-with-a-disability/

Autism NOW Transition Planning

autismnow.org/in-the-classroom/transition-planning-for-students/

Transition to College

AAPD

aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Higher-Education-%E2%80%93-Getting-There.pdf

Applying, Visiting Colleges, and Choosing a College

Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Program

www.mass.edu/strategic/read_maicei.asp

LD Online

www.ldonline.org/

website about learning disabilities and adhd

List of Questions about AT Resources

www.ldonline.org/article/Questions_to_Ask_Colleges_About_Assistive_Technology_Resources

to ask colleges before making a final decision on where to attend.

Prepare Students for College

www.washington.edu/doit/preparing-college-online-tutorial

from the University of Washington. The resources include deciding what to study, where and how to apply, and how to fund an education, among many other helpful topics.

Think College

www.thinkcollege.net

Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability.

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html
includes details about the obligations of a post-secondary school to provide academic adjustments, including auxiliary aids and services, to ensure the school does not discriminate on the basis of disability. by The Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Education

College Resources for Students with Disabilities

www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/resources-for-students-with-disabilities/

from Affordable Colleges Online

Scholarships and Grants for Students with Disabilities

www.moneygeek.com/education/college/resources/scholarship-guide-for-students-with-disabilities/

2018 Best Online Schools for Students with Disabilities

www.guidetoonlineschools.com/online-schools/students-with-disabilities
From Guide to Online Schools

Transition to Work

Massachusetts Partnership for Transition to Employment

employmentfirstma.org/mpte

The Massachusetts Partnership for Transition to Employment (MPTE) is a systems-change project of the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. The project is designed to improve employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities transitioning from school to adult life.

For Parents

Family Connect

www.familyconnect.org

for parents of children with visual impairments.

Rocking the Cradle – Ensuring the Rights of Parents with Disabilities and Their Children

www.ncd.gov/publications/2012/Sep272012

A Toolkit for Parents with Disabilities from the National Council on Disability

Family Ties of Massachusetts

massfamilyties.org/index.php

parent-to-parent support, information and referral services, and workshops in caring for children with special needs.

Resource Directory

www.massfamilyties.org/information-resources/

is downloadable (and large).

Federation for Children with Special Needs

fcsn.org

parents and parent organizations work together for children with special needs and families. Organized in 1975 as a coalition of parent groups representing children with a variety of disabilities, the Federation offers workshops and training, advocacy and resources to parents of children with special needs and the professionals who serve them.

Parent / Professional Advocacy League

ppal.net

(PPAL) is a MA organization that promotes a strong voice for families of children and adolescents with mental health needs. PPAL advocates for supports, treatment and policies that enable families to live in their communities.

The Parents’ How-to Guide to Children’s Mental Health Services in Massachusetts

www.bostonbar.org/docs/default-document-library/bbaguide_2011update_2.pdf

is by the Boston Bar Association with support from Children’s Hospital to help parents in Massachusetts find the child mental health services and resources their children need.

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