Community Living
In previous years, people with disabilities have had limited options for living within their community. This was especially true for people needing support with daily activities. Now, there are more options for people who need more or less support. Some examples are (1) living alone with help from assistive technology, on-site services, or a personal care assistant, (2) in an accessible apartment, (3) with a roommate, (4) in a host home, or (5) in a group home. As part of transition services, young adults with disabilities are provided with education on life skills (e.g., cooking, cleaning, transportation, finances) so they can live as independently as possible. People with disabilities can also receive home care and assisted living services through home and community-based waivers. Expanding leisure and recreation opportunities is also an important focus during transition because it can help support young adults with disabilities to be more engaged and included in their community.
Community Living Resources
- Disability Hub MN: Independent Living
- Minnesota Employment and Economic Development: Living Independently
- Lifeworks: expanding community inclusion through person-centered services
- Rise: Life Enrichment Services
Employment
Employment is tied to higher quality of life among people with disabilities, including those transitioning from post-secondary education to adulthood. Everyone is entitled to dignity of work. Given the right support and accommodations, people with disabilities can obtain fulfilling jobs and careers, providing significant contributions to the workplace. People with disabilities can receive support in applying for jobs, obtaining customized employment, and receiving work accommodations and competitive wages through both national and state-based services, as well as employment agencies. Customized employment includes negotiations between employers and employees with disabilities that allows jobs to be personalized to meet the support needs of the employee to improve their contribution to their work. The following resources are available for individuals seeking employment support.
Employment Resources
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Disability Hub: E1MN
- Kaposia
- Inclusive Networking
- Go MN!
- Rise
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Job Accommodation Network
- MN APSE
- Unified Work
- Regional Quality Council
- The Arc Transition Checklist
Healthcare
Transition to healthcare is a planned process that supports the shift from pediatric to adult health care. It prepares young people to manage their own health needs, such as scheduling appointments, understanding treatments, and communicating with providers, while ensuring continuous and coordinated care. This transition is especially vital for youth with disabilities or special health care needs who require ongoing support. Families, caregivers, and providers all contribute to helping youth gain the confidence and skills needed for adult health systems.
Healthcare Resources
- Got Transition.
- Family Voices
- Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities
- State of Minnesota Healthcare Transition website
- LifeCourse Nexus Training and Technical Assistance Center
- University of Illinois Chicago Division of Specialized Care for Children Transition Tools
Post-Secondary Education
Post-secondary training, certification, and degree completion are all transition outcomes important for any young adult. Post-secondary options are important to consider as they are pathways to competitive employment and independent living. However, these outcomes are not often explored or supported for youth with disabilities receiving transition services before exiting transition programs/secondary education. Some universities and colleges have specific programs for students with learning support needs, but many do not. These programs need to be customized to the individual and include practical skills training and personal career exploration. Secondary transition programs can help students explore these options and in some cases facilitate completion of coursework that counts towards degree/certificate compilation while students are still enrolled in secondary education programs.