Transition to Adult Life
The West New York School District does not endorse any agency and/or website. The website links, books, and articles on this page may be helpful resources.
To Navigate this page, you may click the links below or scroll down the page.
Federal Agency
The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) in English and Spanish
State Agencies
Department of Human Services Division of Disability Services
Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities
NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
General Information on Transition Planning
Transition to Adulthood English and Spanish
The Next Step- a 19-minute video that presents personal stories of young people with disabilities who enrolled in colleges, universities or technical schools.
Here's to Your Student's Future! A Parent's Guide to Transition Planning
Accessible Public Transportation/Travel Training
NICHCY Travel Training for Youth with Disabilities
New Jersey Transit Access Link
New Jersey Reduce Fare Program
At Risk Students
Is your child at risk for dropping out of school? Has your child left school without obtaining a high school diploma? Click here for suggestions on what you can do.
Career Exploration
JobTIPS Toolkit: JobTIPS is a program to help individuals with disabilities explore career interests, seek and obtain employment, and successfully maintain it. JobTIPS addresses social and behavioral differences that might make identifying, obtaining, and keeping a job more difficult. Though JobTIPS is designed for direct use by individuals with autism and other disabilities, it is also suitable for delivery by teachers, family members, clinicians, mentors, and job coaches.
NCWD/Youth's Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success Podcast Series (2011): The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) has released a new podcast series for parents and families, "Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success." The podcast episodes are: #1 "Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success," #2 "How to Build Communication Skills for Job Success,: #3 "How to Build Interpersonal Skills for Job Success," and #4 "How to Build Lifelong Learning Skills for Job Success." The series provides ideas for parents and families on activities they can do at home and include in their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) to ensure the development of skills needed for job success following completion of high school
Disability Laws
The Southwest ADA Center's "Guia sobre las Leyes de Discapacidad,"
The Spanish language version of "The Disability Law Handbook," is available. The Handbook is written in FAQ format and answers questions about the ADA, the ADA Amendments Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Social Security, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, and the Fair Housing Act Amendments.
Rutgers Office of Disabilities Services-IDEA, ADA, IEP'S, and Section 504 Plans: What Happens in College?
Guardianship/Estate Planning
Division of Developmental Disabilities Guardianship
Financial Aid/Scholarships
Need guidance on how to assist your child with paying for college? Need information about scholarships? Click here for some guidance.Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Homeland Security/Military
Integrated/Competitive Employment
The Influence of Families on the Employment Process (June 2011): The Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts-Boston, shares the thoughts and feelings of people with intellectual disabilities about how their families help them make decisions throughout their lives. Family members can motivate people to work, help them understand why work is important, influence self-determination and empowerment, and help them develop understanding of themselves and their place in the workplace. This resource includes tips to help families be involved in helping people prepare for, find, and keep jobs.
Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Integrated Employment Toolkit (2011): The transition form school to employment is a critical time in the lives of youth with disabilities. Collected are strategies to help youth and their families access the full range of support available to prepare them for successful transition to integrated, competitive employment.
Life Skills
Parents, Teens, and Money: A Clear and Simple Guide to Discussing Financial Responsibility (2008) (Parent Guide): Chase Card Services, in collaboration with College Parents of America, published this online guide to help parents discuss important financial topics with their teens.
The Youth Transition Toolkit: A Guide for Young People with Disabilities Transitioning to Adulthood by Talent Knows No Limits (TKNL), a public information campaign of the California Health Incentives Improvement Project (CHIIP). The toolkit is a guide on preparing for transition to adulthood and making choices about their own health care, education, employment, finances, independent living, and social and recreational activities. While some of the services and resources provided are California state-specific, much of the guidance applies to youth in any state.
Post-Secondary Education
Parent Technical Assistance Network April 2009 Webinar, "Why Not College : Inclusive College Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities," along with other information on the Higher Education Act and Students with Intellectual Disabilities.
Selective Service
Selective Service System: Males (171/2 and older) must Selective Services even those with disabilities
Sports/Recreation
Center for Modern Dance Education Learning Through the Arts
84 Euclid Avenue
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Contact: Elissa Machlin-Lockwood
201-342-2989
Fax: 201-342-8209
[email protected]
Ages 2 to senior citizens. Creative noncompetitive inclusive classes for children and adults. Special class for teens and adults with disabilities
JCC on the Palisades Special Services
411 East Clinton Ave
Tenafly, NJ 07670
Contact: Cheryl Edelstein
201-569-7900 x302
www.jcconthepalisades.org
Various recreation programs for children through adults
Montclair Riding Academy
12-22 Woodlane Ave
West Orange, NJ 07052
973-731-4182
Fax: 973-731-4171
Therapeutic horseback riding
Special Olympics New Jersey
http://www.sonj.org/
Provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.