Federation for Children with Special
Needs
1135 Tremont Street, Boston MA 02120 In state toll free (800) 331-0688
(617) 236- 7210 fax (617) 572-2094 www.fcsn.org
TRANSITION WEB RESOURCES March 2007
This is not an exhaustive list, if you have a resource to add, please email me at tmclaugh@fcsn.org
www.fcsn.org The Federation for Children with Special Needs is a center for parents and parent organizations working together on behalf of children with special needs and their families.
http://www.fcsn.org/pti/topics/transition/index.html direct link to downloadable transition info, resources and workshop materials.
www.communityinclusion.org the Institute for Community Inclusion at site has a varied list of all their publications
http://www.doe.mass.edu/news/news.asp?id=3295 Transition Planning Form – The two-page TPF guides and documents the transition planning discussion and will be the required document for districts to demonstrate compliance with the transition requirements of transition planning in IDEA 2004.
www.DisabilityInfo.gov Designed as a one stop source of government info relevant to people with disabilities, their families, employers and service providers; contains info on civil rights, education, employment, housing, healthcare, technology and transportation.
www.ncset.org National Center on Secondary Education and Transition, E-News, publications, events, and more.
http://www.nsttac.org National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC)...NSTTAC is a national Technical Assistance and Dissemination center funded by the USDOE Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) NSTTAC’s purpose is to assist states in building their capacity to support and improve transition planning, services, and outcomes for youth with disabilities.
www.youthhood.org NCSET's new interactive Web-based curriculum for youth
http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/transum/ts10txt.htm National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities in Washington DC, Transition Planning summary and guide.
Transition
Requirements: A Guide for States, Districts, Schools, Universities and
Families:
The purpose of this site is to clarify the transition requirements of IDEA,
provide samples, and suggest practices to implement those requirements. An
excellent resource.
www.transitioncoalition.org/ The Transition Coalition site at U of Kansas offers information, support, and linkages to professionals, family members, individuals with disabilities and others interested and involved in the transition from school to adult life.
iapply.bridges.com/educators/lessons.htm A wonderful site with interactive activities teachers can down-load and incorporate in their curriculum. So, when they say … "It's not my job..." give them the site URL.
Postsecondary Options
www.ahead.org the Association for Higher Education and Disability, (main offices at UMASS/Boston)
www.thinkcollege.net This website will provide information and links to anyone interested in finding out more about the possibilities and benefits of postsecondary education.
www.ets.org This is Educational Testing Service site. Click on disability links to see what documentation they request in order to take the college boards with accommodations.
www.collegeboard.com eligibility, accommodations, etc.
http://www.heath.gwu.edu/index.htm The National Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities
www.masscc.org info regarding all state community colleges, with maps to get there.
http://www.vacollegequest.org/rules/Differences%20in%20Legal%20Rights.pdf legal rights and responsibilities secondary & postsecondary ed
www.rrtc.hawaii.edu the new center on Postsecondary Education Supports with new cutting edge info and strategies
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html - Office for Civil Rights.. this brings you to “Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education"
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/index.html US Office of Adult and Vocational Education. The OVAE website has information, research, & resources to help prepare young people and adults for postsecondary education, successful careers, & productive lives
www.ed.gov/thinkcollege/early/educators/mind.htm US Dept. of Education website
www.washington.edu/doit/ This site originally was about assistive technology but now has lots of short papers for students, families, and educators on pithy issues...like what kind of experiences besides education students should have before coming to college -- volunteer work, etc.
www.mapping-your-future.org a government sponsored website that assists in the typical process of going to college, good baseline info, map out your preferences, person centered planning.
Vocational Rehabilitation, Workplace Supports, and Employment
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/intersection/index.html. Navigating the Road to Work is the electronic newsletter of the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth)
www.worksupport.com Virginia Commonwealth University RRTC on Workplace Supports and Job Retention, supports that are most effective for assisting individuals with disabilities maintain employment and advance careers.
www.onestops.info One Stop Career centers are the primary mechanism for delivery of activities under WIA (Workforce Investment Act)
www.ncwd-youth.info National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth assists state and local workforce development systems to better serve youth with disabilities
http://ma.easterseals.com Easter Seals offers School to Work Services, check it out.
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/index.html Office of Special Education & Rehabilitation Services
http://janweb.icdi.wva.edu Job Accommodation Network (JAN) – a free service that provides info about job accommodations, ADA, and employability of people with disabilities
Person Centered Planning
http://www.ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=1431 Nichcy’s “Tools for Transition”.
www.inclusion.com a site about all aspects of inclusion and the Person Centered Planning Process.
http://www.allenshea.com/resource.html A resource list on person centered planning
http://thechp.syr.edu/PCP_History.pdf The origins of Person Centered Planning.
Health and Transition
www.massfamilyties.org Statewide information & support network for families of children with disabilities, chronic healthcare needs or chronic illness.
http://www.communityinclusion.org/pdf/man8.pdf A great resource with handouts for families and teens with special health care needs and disabilities to help them prepare for transition to adult life
http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/faculty/jfleitas/bandaides/sitemap.html Band aids & Blackboards This is a site about growing up with medical problems ...any ole type. Its goal is to help people understand what it's like, from the perspective of the children and teens who are doing just that.
http://journal.hsmc.org/ijnidd/index.asp Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, free online journal, International Journal of Nursing in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for professionals and families interested in promoting optimal health and nursing supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Housing and Community
www.housingworks.net Info on affordable housing in MA and VT
www.chapa.org A guidebook for people with disabilities interested in homeownership.
www.arcmass.org The ARC of Massachusetts
http://www.tacinc.org/Docs/HH/Sect8_2ndEd.pdf Section 8 Made Simple: Using Housing Choice Voucher Program to Assist People with Disabilities
http://chance.unh.edu Visit for information on home ownership for people with disabilities.
http://www.ilru.org/html/training/webcasts/handouts/2002/10-09-JK/housing.html research, education and consultation in the areas of independent living, the Americans with Disabilities Act, home and community based services and health issues for people with disabilities.
http://www.mass.gov/mrc Search for home modification for info on this topic and the loan program
http://thechp.syr.edu/hgen.htm Organizations/General resources concerned with Housing Options
Self Determination and Self Advocacy
www.self-determination.com National Center on Self Determination
http://www.self-determination.org Office on Self-Determination, has links to disability related info/resources
www.pyd.org Partners for Youth with Disabilities empowers young people with disabilities to reach their full potential for personal development.
www.nyln.org National Youth Leadership Network, promotes leadership development in the US.
Estate Planning
www.nichcy.org/pubs/outprint/nd18.pdf from the NICHCY website
http://www.disabilitiesbooks.com/special_needs_trust/index.html "The Special Needs Trust Administration Manual: A Guide for Trustees" reference guide for anyone who is managing a special needs trust for a person with disabilities
Government Benefits
www.ssa.gov SSI, Supplemental Security Income
http://www.disabilitiesbooks.com/special_needs_trust/index.html The Special Needs Trust Administration Manual: A Guide for Trustees. 2005 Edition , includes the latest changes in regulations and benefits. A valuable, uncomplicated, user-friendly reference guide for anyone who is managing a special needs trust for a person with disabilities.
http://www.ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=938 "So You Have Decided to Apply” Tailored for parents of youth with disabilities, the brief details the step by step process of applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
http://www.mass.gov/dmr MA Department of Mental Retardation
http://www.mass.gov/mrc MA Rehabilitation Commission
www.doe.mass.edu/sped/ Office of Special Education at MA Dept. of Education
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/About Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS Office of Special Education & Rehabilitation Services
Learning Disability sites:
www.ld.org The mission of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is to increase opportunities for all individuals with learning disabilities to achieve their potential.
www.ldam.org Learning Disabilities Worldwide, a non-profit, volunteer organization including individuals with learning disabilities, their families, and professionals.
http://www.allkindsofminds.org/ Dr. Mel Levine’s site, e-newsletter, great resources and help on learning differences
www.ldonline.org A leading learning disabilities website for parents and professionals
www.schwablearning.org a free and comprehensive website that offers reliable, research-based content to help parents
www.concordspedpac.org Terrific links!