For families of students who are blind or visually impaired, or who have multiple disabilities, it can feel as if you’re falling off a cliff when your child turns 22.
Thoughtful transition planning — focused on your child’s goals, strengths, and vision for the future — can help ease this journey to adulthood and ensure that the student, family, school, and community are well-prepared. The resources we’ve put together here are designed to support you and your student on this journey.
Contact us with your transition questions and we’ll be in touch to schedule an initial consultation.
Whether you’re just starting the transition process or have a young adult about to age out of the school system, navigating the transition process can be overwhelming. You may have questions or just need some guidance on the next step. Our transition experts can focus on what’s on your mind and help you prepare for the future.
Connect with others in our Facebook Community. Ask questions, swap stories and get advice from parents and professionals around the country who have been in your shoes.
Using Technology and AI to Support Transition Outcomes
Technology is reshaping what’s possible for young adults with disabilities. Join us for a discussion on how assistive technology, AI, and executive functioning tools can make a real difference in the transition to adulthood. We’ll dive into practical tools and strategies to support education, employment, and independent living, while exploring innovative ways to enhance accessibility and open doors to greater independence and success.
Speakers: Minh Ha, Perkins Assistive Technology Manager, Andrea Rutherford, Director, Perkins Compass Program
Future Forward: Planning for Life beyond Transition
Join us for an in-person transition event on Perkins Watertown Campus, focused on how to adapt and evolve life plans for your young adult’s changing needs.
The interactive sessions will include how to create a transition portfolio, understanding and creating Special Needs Trusts, and maximizing and combining government benefits including SSI, SSDI, insurance, Section 8 housing, and utility discounts.
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn and connect in-person with other parents and professionals about transition.
The Role of Self-Advocacy in Successful Transitions
Self-advocacy isn’t just a skill—it’s a crucial tool that allows individuals with disabilities to live life on their own terms- with dignity and the chance to reach their full potential. Learning self-advocacy from a young age and continuing to develop it into adulthood is essential for empowerment, social inclusion, and greater independence. We’ll discuss why raising self-advocates is so important and explore strategies to nurture this critical life skill at every stage of development.
Speakers:Derek Heard, graphic artist, entrepreneur, public speaker, disability justice advocate.
Allison Hall, Senior Research Associate/Project Director, Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)
Thank you for hosting these fantastic sessions.You are truly making a difference in the community and beyond.”
Cindy J., parent
Family stories
Families who have been there
Don’t expect all your ducks to be in a row right away. It takes a village—and time!”
Brenda
Meet Jill and her mom, Brenda, a family who have learned how to be open to their daughter trying out new things after she completed high school.
Jill is continuing to learn through college experiences, while still making time to be with her friends and have fun as a young adult.
Brenda says, “It’s so easy to think you must have everything prepared right off the bat. One of the things I wish we had known when we were thinking about transition is that we didn’t have to have all the ducks in a row on day one.”
As young adults enter high school, transition planning and services should be well-represented and integrated throughout their IEP, and anyone reading their IEP should see a roadmap that supports their plans after high school.
Our Transition IEP Guide offers transition-specific guidance for building an IEP that will support your child in achieving their goals after high school, including:
Just like you, we have a lot going on! Don’t miss hearing about upcoming workshops, new conversations, new transition events and resources – in our transition newsletter.
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There's always more to learn.
College, life skills, pre-employment, and more.
Our student-centered enrichment programs help you navigate employment skills, future planning, and independent living, to support your student's growth in school, at home, and in the community.
