Transition Resources for Caregivers, Emerging Adults with Disabilities, and Allies Compiled by Corynne McPeters, ProActive Caring Program Intern, MSW Candidate, Columbia University School of Social Work
Introduction Caregivers and self-advocates often feel overwhelmed by the vast range of organizations available to them, especially during times of transition. To provide some direction, the ProActive Caring team has created a directory of resources recommended by service providers, family caregivers, and self-advocates. I would like to recognize Dr. Lawrence T. Force, Director of the Center on Aging and Disability Policy (CADP) at Mount Saint Mary College, and Emily Souter, ’22, Research Assistant, for their guidance in developing this directory; Sharon Murray-Cohen, Executive Director of Jewish Family Services of Ulster County, for serving as liaison between Mount Saint Mary and the Columbia University School of Social Work; and Elaine Sproat and Dugan Radwin, for providing input and formatting the final product. The following list of organizations includes government services, nonprofits, advocacy networks, and service agencies that cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families. While many of the resources are specific to New York State and the Hudson Valley, most offer services statewide and even nationwide. This directory will help you have an understanding of services available to individuals and families, strategies for navigating the plethora of services available, the importance of self-advocacy, disability rights, and disability justice. We recommend beginning with educational resources from organizations like ASAN and I’m Determined for a general overview of the landscape. After that, exploring other organizations that offer services can be more accessible and less overwhelming. The ProActive Caring Program wishes you well as you explore available resources — and remember, we are here for you! You can find program contact information and other resources on the ProActive Caring website and on the back of this booklet. 1
Organization Adult Career & Continuing Ed Services (ACCES)
Description
Resources
ACCES offers services for educational and employment needs. Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES VR) is a federal-state program that helps adults with disabilities get or a keep a job.
ACCES Vocational Rehabilitation
Notes Via New York State Office of Special Education
Adult Education Programs and Policy (AEPP) Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision (BPSS) High School Equivalency
Autistic/Developmental Disorder Self-Advocacy 101 course that Self-Advocacy Through Media focuses on social media as a Online Course tool
The Autistic-I/DD Self Advocacy For self-advocates and loved Through Social Media Training ones without disabilities who Course wish to support self-advocates.
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)
Navigating
A nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates.
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College: A Handbook on Self Advocacy Written for Autistic Students from Autistic Adults Roadmap to Transition: A Handbook for Autistic Youth Transitioning to Adulthood Accessing Home and Community-Based Services: A Guide for Self-Advocates
ASAN’s publications include books on self-advocacy, autistic culture, and related topics, as well as reports and brief materials. Reports and policy briefs discuss social issues of importance to the autism and disability communities, such as access to services and community living, while books share self-advocate perspectives on a variety of issues and experiences.
Organization Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) (Continued)
Description
Resources
A nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates.
Notes
A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Managed Long-Term Services and Supports
ASAN’s publications include books on self-advocacy, autistic culture, and related topics, as well as reports Real Work for Real Pay: A and brief materials. Reports Self-Advocate’s Guide to and policy briefs discuss Employment Policy social issues of importance to the autism and disability A Self-Advocate’s Guide to the communities, such as access Americans with Disabilities Act to services and community (ADA) living, while books share self-advocate perspectives Autism and Safety Toolkit: Ways on a variety of issues and for Family Members to Support experiences. the Safety of Autistic People Research Overview on Autism and Safety Safety Tips for Self-Advocates
Center for Parent Information and Resources
A hub of information for parents of individuals with disabilities. Funded by Office of Special Education Programs.
Transition Resources
Find a Local Self-Advocacy Group
Online directory of self-advocacy groups by state and zip code
New York State Self-Advocacy Groups
Complete CPIR Resource Library
Learn About Self-Advocacy Research For All 3
Resources include eCourses for parents, extensive online resources, and newsletter
Great for young adults with disabilities to connect with peers and establish peer mentorship and support
Organization I’m Determined
Description
Resources
A state-directed project funded by the Virginia Department of Education, focuses on providing direct instruction, models, and opportunities to practice skills associated with self-determined behavior.
Notes
Parent Path to Success
Organization features educational resource library for Transition Guide: Postyouth, educators and families, Secondary Education & Training about self-determined behavior. Transition Guide: Employment Transition Guide: SelfDetermination Transition Guide: Independent Living
Independent Living, Inc.
Free resources, training Services opportunities, direct consultation to discuss special education Resource Library related issues, and support through educational advocacy
Part of Mid-Hudson Valley Parent Support Coalition Covers Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster Counties Newburgh: (845) 565-1162, Middletown: (845) 342-1162 Monticello: (845) 794-3322 dtroeller@independentliving.org
Khan Academy
An educational nonprofit that offers free resources in most academic subjects and some life skills.
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College Admissions Career Education Personal Finance
Career videos offer practical information about various career paths such as salary, required education, and typical environment.
Organization New York State Office of Special Education
Description
Resources
State agency
Safety net options for students with disabilities NYSED Memo: Transition planning and services for students with disabilities
Notes Resources for families and students. Policy briefs for professionals.
NYS Education Department (NYSED) graduation requirements New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB)
Vocational Rehabilitation Policy Manual
State agency
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Resources for consumers, their families, employers, and partner agencies
Independent Living Services Program Resource Directory New York State Office of Mental Health
State agency
Resources for Transition-Age Youth Crisis Resources Find a Mental Health Program
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Resources for consumers, families, and professionals
Organization Putnam Independent Living Services
Description
Resources
A nonprofit, community-based, cross-disability resource, advocacy and training center
Independent Living Services Specialized programs Advocacy Peer Integration Program
Resource Center for Accessible Services offered include Living (RCAL) architectural barrier consulting, benefits advisement, employment services, information and referral, special education services and advocacy, and support groups.
Services
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered
SABE The Joys and Pains of Working
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) works to ensure that people with disabilities are treated as equals and they are given the same choices, rights, responsibilities, and chances to empower themselves as everyone else.
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Notes Part of Mid-Hudson Valley Parent Support Coalition Covers all Hudson Valley counties (845) 228-7457 contact@putnamils.org Part of Mid-Hudson Valley Parent Support Coalition covers Ulster County (845) 331-0541 tbogart@rcal.org
The Truth Comes From Us: Supporting Workers with Developmental Disabilities Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center
SABE is a national board of regional representatives and members from every state in the U.S. Written by workers with developmental disabilities. Works well as a resource for self-advocates and their loved ones for providing language for advocacy with employers.
Organization Taconic Resources for Independence
Think College Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston
Description
Resources
Notes
Core services include peer counseling, independant living skills training, information and referral services, and individual and systems advocacy
Services and Programs
Community Resources
(845) 452-3913 tri@taconicresources.org
A national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability
College Based Transition Services
Resources specifically for families, students, and teachers.
Mid-Hudson Interpreter Service (MHIS)
Part of Mid-Hudson Valley Parent Support Coalition Covers Dutchess County
Comprehensive Transition and Post-secondary (CTP) Programs Information and resources for families
Westchester Independent Living Center, Inc.
A nonprofit, consumer-directed Independent Living Services advocacy, resource and training center that serves the Lower Specialized programs Hudson Valley in New York Advocacy Minority outreach Peer Integration Program
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Covers all Hudson Valley counties Part of Mid-Hudson Valley Parent Support Coalition (914) 682-3926 contact@wilc.org
Organization
Description
Resources
Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD)
Develops and delivers medical, clinical and support services to individuals, their families, and caregivers.
Transition Services and Planning Overview
WIHD Community Support Network
This network shares resources, training, direct services, and support and guidance to families, schools, agencies, and individuals themselves on disability related issues and topics.
Transition Institute
Sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor
Skills Matcher Quiz
U.S. Department of Labor CareerOneStop
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Transitioning to Adult Services
Notes Services offered include adult health services, assistive technology, behavioral psychology, a community support network, inclusive communities, and speech and hearing resources. Part of Mid-Hudson Valley Parent Support Coalition Covers all counties in Hudson Valley (914) 493-8119 csn@wihd.org Extensive resource hub for anything related to career exploration, training, and jobs
This directory is published by the ProActive Caring Project. The ProActive Caring Project was created by the Center on Aging and Disability Policy at Mount Saint Mary College. The project is funded by the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (NYS DDPC) in order to provide family caregivers of individuals with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities in New York State with expanded training and support. Visit the ProActive Caring Digital Resource Center: www.ProActiveCaring.org Follow ProActive Caring on social media:
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