Transition to Independence - Resources for Families and their Young Adult Children

Families and their young adult children often find the transition to the adult world littered with "can'ts" and "won't do's" from systems and institutions, and the advocacy skills and knowledge families acquired in negotiating the children's system becomes inadequate for the adult system.

Families find they must learn new systems and language, while trying to support their child's transition to adult life and acquisition of sufficient self- advocacy skills. Families find systems summarily shut them of their child's life at age 18. They face being villianized by staff who characterize them as over-involved and controlling, rather than recognized as essential resources in their child's transition to adulthood.

By law, this transition process should begin in the school at age 14, if the child is in special education. Regardless, most adolescents with or without disabilities are not prepared for independence by age 18. Below are some Web sites that should help both families and their transition age children. The good news is that persons of all ages with disabilities have more rights than ever and the research and practice are improving services and supports dramatically.

Rights and Resources

Rights

• US Department of Justice, A Guide to Disability Rights, (ADA, 504, IDEA)
• NICHEY- Transition Services in the IEP. For each student, self-determination and self-advocacy skills would certainly be relevant now and in the future. It might be suggested that four of the most fundamental skills or knowledge students can have that will serve them well in a wide variety of adult situations are the following:
  • The ability to assess themselves, including their skills and abilities, and the needs associated with their disability;
  • Awareness of the accommodations they need because of their disability;
  • Knowledge of their civil rights to these accommodations through legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and
  • The self-advocacy skills necessary to express their needs in the workplace, in educational institutions, and in community settings.
• PA Education Law Center Publications
  • Transition to Adult Life for Students with Disabilities
  • Graduation Requirements for Special Education Students
• PA Age of Consent to Mental Health Treatment- Age 14 and the PA law
• "...the (PA) Mental Health Procedures Act cannot be read so as to deprive parents of the right to consent to necessary outpatient care for their children under the age of 18..."
• PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) - Employment and Education Services
• PA Client Assistance Program - Advocacy for OVR clients
• HEATH - The National Clearinghouse On Postsecondary Education For Individuals With Disabilities
• Promoting the Rights of Students with Psychiatric Disabilities in Higher Education Project - Canadian Mental Health Association
• While this is a Canadian site is specific to their laws, the legal concepts are consistent with US Civil Rights Law, and the "Resource" section is exemplary, and contains unique information specific to college students with psychiatric disabilities.
  • The School Book - Student/consumer's describe in their own words the supports that have worked for them and the barriers that they still face.
  • How We See It - A brochure with advice from student/consumers on surviving post-secondary education that you can download, print and distribute at your school or self-help group.
• Aquamarine Blue: College students with autism share their experiences and insights.

Resources

• Get involved with system reform through the PA Transition Coordinating Council and find resources. On the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Web site select "Transition" from the left hand side navigation bar. Every county should have a Local Transition Coordinating Council at their Intermediate Units.
• Research Pennsylvania services for person's with disabilities. COMPASS is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Application for Social Services. This site allows you to review the Pennsylvania's Public Social Services. The self-screening questionnaire can tell you which social services the members of the household may be eligible to receive. The application lets you apply online for social services offered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Connect with Adult Mental Health Advocacy Resources in Pennsylvania
  • Mental Health Association of Pennsylvania
  • PA Mental Health Consumers Association