Below are resources that will assist you in advising high school students with disabilities of their options after high school. College and other postsecondary education and career development opportunities are expanding for all individuals with disabilities. This includes youth with physical, sensory, mental, learning, developmental and intellectual disabilities.
This page will be updated frequently so be sure to revisit.
Going to College
This Web site contains information about living college life with a disability. It’s designed for high school students and provides video clips, activities and additional resources that can help you get a head start in planning for college.
http://www.going-to-college.org/
Advising High School Students with Disabilities on Postsecondary Options Booklet that helps guidance and career counselors assist high school students with disabilities in accomplishing transitions into postsecondary education and employment. This link opens a PDF document.
http://www.disability.gov/education/parent_resources/transition_planning/preparing_for_post-secondary_education
Do-It!
DO-IT serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. It promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment.
http://www.washington.edu/doit/
AccessCollege: Postsecondary Education and Students with Disabilities
In order for students with disabilities to be successful in college, they need to be adequately prepared and programs, information resources, and facilities must be accessible to them. The following websites are designed to help faculty, administrators, and staff create accessible environments, programs, and resources for students with disabilities and to help students with disabilities prepare for and succeed in college. Much of the content is duplicated in other publications, training materials, and web pages published by DO-IT.
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Resources/postsec.html
Guidance and Career Counselors Toolkit: Advising High School Students with Disabilities on Postsecondary Options
This 192 page pdf. resource, published in 2006 contains answers to counselors’ most frequently asked questions about postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities. Students and their families are encouraged use the toolkit to help guide their transition planning for college and career. The link opens to a pdf.
htt://www.heath.gwu.edu/images/stories/Toolkit.pdf
Campus Visit: Materials for HS & Independent Counselors:
At Campus Visit At Campus Visit we strive to help counselors and students find the information and tools they need to make the most of their college decision process.
http://www.campusvisit.com/
ThinkCollege! College Options for People with Intellectual Disabilities.
Students with with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in many different ways all over the country. This website provides resources and strategies, informs about training events for transition aged students as well as adults attending or planning for college. It provides resources and tools for students, families, and professionals.
http://thinkcollege.net/
First in the Family: Advice About College:
First in the Family: Advice About College web site from What Kids Can Do features straight-up, practical advice from first-generation students who have made it to college. It includes videos, facts, tips, planning checklists, and other resources about college.
http://www.firstinthefamily.org/
The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities:
The 411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities is designed for youth and adults working with them to learn about disability disclosure. This workbook helps young people make informed decisions about whether or not to disclose their disability and understand how that decision may impact their education, employment, and social lives. Based on the premise that disclosure is a very personal decision, the Workbook helps young people think about and practice disclosing their disability.
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/resources_&_Publications/411.html
Mental Health Needs
Youth with mental health needs often face unemployment, underemployment, and discrimination when they enter the workforce. Employment data show that individuals with serious mental illness have the lowest level of employment of any group of people with disabilities. This page offers links and resources to assist in the transition of youth with mental health needs.
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/topic/mental-health
The Mental Health of Vulnerable Youth and their Transition to Adulthood: Examining the Role of the Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, and Runaway/Homeless Systems
A scholarly article focused on the mental health of vulnerable youth who have been in contact with service systems, including child welfare, juvenile justice, and run-away and homeless programs. Data for this project come from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health).
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/09/YouthMentalHealth/Services/rb.shtml
The GWU HEATH Resource Center -Training Modules
The HEATH Resource Center provides 14 training modules written for youth transitioning into Postsecondary Education, Career Development Planning and Preparation. Two other modules answer questions often raised by parents of youth with disabilities (which I authored) and college faculty receiving students in their classrooms.
http://tinyurl.com/ltt5zc
Great job!